Cost guide
Exterior Waterproofing Cost Guide
Use this page to compare complete proposals for the same work. It does not estimate a project or substitute for an on-site assessment.
Planning range
No planning figures are published here yet. The range will appear only after figures are manually reviewed and entered with a source in the site’s cost data file.
Unit: per excavated wall or defined exterior scope
Last reviewed: Awaiting manual review · Source: Awaiting source
Scope being priced
This guide covers excavation-based work to expose and protect a foundation wall from the outside. A complete scope may involve utility locating, excavation to the footing, wall preparation, membrane and drainage layers, perimeter drainage, backfill, and restoration.
What changes the price
- Excavation depth, wall length, soil conditions, and groundwater handling.
- Machine access and obstacles such as decks, concrete, landscaping, utilities, or adjacent structures.
- Condition of the exposed foundation, including crack repair and surface preparation.
- Membrane, drainage board, drain tile, aggregate, and backfill specified for the system.
- Restoration of hardscape, planting, fences, steps, or other disturbed exterior work.
What a quote should itemize
- The wall lengths, excavation depth, and access plan.
- Utility locating, protection of adjacent structures, and removal of obstacles.
- Foundation preparation, membrane system, protection layer, and drainage components.
- Backfill materials and the exact restoration included for disturbed surfaces.
- Known exclusions and the process for hidden conditions found after excavation.
Red flags in a quote
- The proposal says 'waterproofing' but does not name the membrane or drainage layers.
- Excavation depth, wall length, or access constraints are not documented.
- Restoration is promised generally without listing what surfaces will be reinstated.
- The contractor has no written process for utility conflicts or hidden wall conditions.