Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Basement waterproofing mixes concrete work, drainage and pumps. The heavy items are the cutting and breaking tools and the hauling.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete saw with dust control | Cutting the slab for interior drains | Varies by brand |
| Rotary hammer or demo hammer | Breaking out concrete | Varies by brand |
| Moisture meter | Finding and proving the water | Varies by brand |
| Shop vacuum with HEPA filter | Dust and water cleanup | Varies by brand |
| Wheelbarrow and buckets | Hauling broken concrete and gravel | Varies by brand |
| Crack injection gun and supplies | Crack repairs | Varies by brand |
| Multimeter | Sump pump and float troubleshooting | $305 (Fluke 117 multimeter, Fluke) |
| Respirators and eye protection | Silica dust from cutting concrete | Varies by brand |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most waterproofing companies buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-behind slab saw | Long drain runs | Varies by brand |
| Electric jackhammer | Heavy breakout | Varies by brand |
| Dehumidifiers and air movers | Drying after the job | Varies by brand |
| Dump trailer | Hauling spoils | Varies by brand |
| Excavation subcontractor or mini excavator rental | Exterior waterproofing | Varies by brand |
Van stock: what you restock every week
Parts and supplies that let you finish on the first visit. Keep a short list on your phone and restock on the same day each week.
- Drain pipe, fittings and gravel. Interior drain systems.
- Sump pumps and check valves. Same-day replacements.
- Hydraulic cement and injection material. Crack and leak repairs.
- Vapor barrier and fasteners. Walls and crawlspaces.
What a waterproofing kit costs
The 1 starter kit items we could price add up to $305 at the maker's listed price, out of 8 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
None of the 5 pro kit items has one maker's list price we could check, because brands and sizes vary so much. Price them with your supplier.
The saws, hammers and hauling gear swing the total most. Crawlspace work adds encapsulation material that is priced per job.
Prices are the ones shown on each maker's own site on the date in the sources. Dealers and sales change them, so treat them as a starting point.
Where to buy it
Most waterproofing companies buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our waterproofing suppliers list names the distributors and pro programs for this trade, and the Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro page compares the two big-box programs row by row.
With Koira: the office side of the kit
The kit gets you to the job. Koira runs the rest: estimates with signing and deposits, invoices and card payments and your day plan, all on the free Office plan. Start with the waterproofing services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Fluke: Fluke 117 multimeter, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for contractors as a group, checked October 9, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.