What a waterproofing change order is for
Opening a basement floor shows things no inspection can: a collapsed old footing drain, a crack running further than it looked, water coming in at a third wall. A change order with the finding, a photo and the price keeps the job honest and the warranty clear about what was treated.
What to put on a waterproofing change order
- The original estimate.
- What was found, with photos.
- Added footage or repairs.
- Credits.
- The new total.
- Signature before the extra work.
A worked example
While trenching, the crew finds water entering at the south wall too, and paneling there has to come down. The customer decides to keep their own dehumidifier.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Add drain tile on south wall * | 40 | ft | $80.00 | $3,200.00 |
| Remove paneling on south wall | 160 | sq ft | Your price | |
| Credit: dehumidifier not supplied | -1 | each | Your price |
The added footage uses the calculator's drain tile price. Update the warranty to include the south wall once signed.
* Typical price from our free basement waterproofing cost calculator, which lists its sources. Your own costs and market come first.
Line items waterproofing contractors use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Interior drain tile | ft | Along the walls where water enters, to a sump. |
| Sump pump, installed | each | Pump, basin and discharge line. |
| Battery backup pump | each | Runs when the power is out. |
| Exterior excavation and membrane | ft | Dig to the footing, membrane and new drain. |
| Crack injection | each | Per crack; say the material. |
| Wall vapor barrier | sq ft | Directs wall seepage to the drain. |
| Downspout extensions or buried lines | ft | Moves roof water away from the foundation. |
| Regrading at foundation | hour | Slope soil away from the house. |
| Window well drain and cover | each | Common leak source. |
| Dehumidifier | each | For damp basements after water control. |
| Concrete floor patch over trench | ft | After drain tile is laid. |
| Remove finished wall material | sq ft | When drywall or paneling blocks the work. |
| Permit | each | Some towns require permits for excavation or sump discharge. |
Terms and deposit language for waterproofing
- Deposit. A deposit at signing schedules the crew and orders pumps and materials. Several states limit what a contractor can collect before starting, so confirm yours.
- Payment. Balance due when the system is installed and tested.
- Warranty. Waterproofing warranties vary widely; state exactly what is covered (leaks through treated walls, pump parts), for how long, whether it transfers to a new owner, and what voids it.
- Finished walls, flooring or stored items in the work area are moved or removed before the crew starts, or priced to remove.
- Sump discharge must go where local rules allow; it is not tied into sanitary sewer lines where that is prohibited.
- Water problems from plumbing leaks, sewer backups or flooding above grade are not covered.
How to fill it in
- Put in the original estimate number and amount.
- Write what changed in the reason box, plainly.
- Add the new work; type a minus quantity for any credit.
- Fill in the days added.
- Print it for a signature on site, or send it from Koira to sign by phone.
Free tools for waterproofing
- Basement waterproofing cost calculator
- French drain cost calculator
- Foundation repair cost calculator
- Mold remediation cost calculator
The same change order for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, tree service, window cleaning.
More for waterproofing contractors: how waterproofing contractors run on Koira.