What a waterproofing proposal is for
A wet basement can be fixed several ways, and homeowners fear being oversold. Three levels on the same basement, from the cheapest fix that might work to the system that covers every wall, let them choose with honest notes on what each one handles. It also shows you looked at the outside first.
What to put on a waterproofing proposal
- The same basement and water entry points.
- What each level fixes and what it leaves.
- Warranty for each level.
- Outside fixes in every level.
- One acceptance line.
A worked example
The same basement. Drain tile and sump use the calculator's typical prices.
Option 1: Good: outside fixes and crack repair. Downspouts, grading and the front wall crack.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buried downspout lines | 40 | ft | Your price |
| Regrading at foundation | 6 | hour | Your price |
| Crack injection, front wall | 1 | each | Your price |
Option 2: Better: interior drain and sump. Drain tile on the wet walls to a new sump, plus the outside fixes.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior drain tile * | 120 | ft | $80.00 | $9,600.00 |
| Sump pump, installed * | 1 | each | $1,550.00 | $1,550.00 |
| Buried downspout lines | 40 | ft | Your price | |
| Crack injection, front wall | 1 | each | Your price |
Option 3: Best: full system. Drain tile on all walls, backup pump and wall barrier.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interior drain tile * | 180 | ft | $80.00 | $14,400.00 |
| Sump pump, installed * | 1 | each | $1,550.00 | $1,550.00 |
| Battery backup pump | 1 | each | Your price | |
| Wall vapor barrier | 900 | sq ft | Your price | |
| Buried downspout lines | 40 | ft | Your price |
Be plain about option one: it helps if the water is mostly from the roof and the crack. If it is not enough, the customer can step up later.
* 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
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Check each option's name, its one-line difference and its lines.
- Add your prices; each option totals on its own.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print it, download it, or send it from Koira so the customer can pick and sign on the phone.
Free tools for waterproofing
- Basement waterproofing cost calculator
- French drain cost calculator
- Foundation repair cost calculator
- Mold remediation cost calculator
The same proposal 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.