How much does basement waterproofing cost?
Basement waterproofing costs $3,000 to $12,000, averaging about $6,500. Interior drain tile runs $40 to $100 per linear foot; full exterior excavation and membrane runs $100 to $250.
National average
$6,500
Typical low
$3,000
Typical high
$12,000
Per linear foot
$40 – $250
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Estimated project cost
$480 – $1,440
Most homeowners pay around $960
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Cost by material
Installed pricing per linear foot.
| Option | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| Interior sealant | $5 – $15 |
| Interior drain tile + sump | $40 – $100 |
| Exterior membrane | $100 – $250 |
| Crawlspace encapsulation | $20 – $60 |
| Wall reinforcement | $80 – $200 |
Cost by solution
| Solution | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Sump pump installation | $1,000 – $3,000 |
| Battery backup sump | $500 – $1,500 |
| Interior French drain | $3,000 – $10,000 |
| Exterior excavation and membrane | $8,000 – $25,000 |
| Crawlspace encapsulation | $3,000 – $12,000 |
| Dehumidifier system | $1,200 – $3,000 |
| Downspout extension and regrading | $500 – $3,000 |
| Egress window well drainage | $800 – $2,500 |
Start here before you spend big
| Fix | Cost | Why first |
|---|---|---|
| Clean and extend downspouts | $100 – $600 | Solves a surprising share of wet basements |
| Regrade soil away from the house | $500 – $3,000 | Stops surface water at the source |
| Seal window wells | $200 – $800 | Common overlooked entry point |
| Repair gutters | $150 – $800 | Concentrated roof runoff is the usual culprit |
Where the money goes
A typical project budget, broken down by line item.
- Labor and excavation50% · $3,250
- Drainage materials22% · $1,430
- Sump pump and equipment16% · $1,040
- Concrete restoration and disposal12% · $780
Cost by region
Labor markets move the number more than any other single factor.
Northeast metro
$3,600 – $14,400
+20% vs. national average
West Coast metro
$3,540 – $14,160
+18% vs. national average
Mountain West
$3,120 – $12,480
+4% vs. national average
Midwest
$3,060 – $12,240
+2% vs. national average
South & Southeast
$2,790 – $11,160
-7% vs. national average
Rural nationwide
$2,700 – $10,800
-10% vs. national average
Common add-ons
Line items that show up on most quotes but rarely in the headline price.
Sump pump
Battery backup
Dehumidifier
Mold remediation
Vapor barrier
Per square foot
Egress window
DIY vs. hiring a pro
Hire a pro
$3,000 – $12,000
Do it yourself
$150 – $1,200
Extending downspouts, regrading soil and applying interior masonry coating are worthwhile DIY first steps. Drain tile and excavation involve cutting the slab or digging to the footing and are not.
Ways to save
Practical levers that lower the bill without cutting quality.
- Do the cheap exterior fixes first — gutters, downspout extensions and grading solve many wet basements for under $1,000.
- Choose interior drain tile over exterior excavation unless the wall itself is failing.
- Get bids from waterproofing specialists and a general contractor; approaches and prices differ enormously.
- Ask about a transferable lifetime warranty — it holds value at resale.
- Install the sump and drainage before finishing the basement, never after.
Questions to ask your contractor
- 01Where is the water actually entering, and how did you determine that?
- 02Interior or exterior — why is that the right method here?
- 03What pump capacity and where does it discharge?
- 04Is a battery backup included, and what happens in a power outage?
- 05Is the warranty transferable, and does it cover a dry basement or just the hardware?
- 06Will you restore the concrete floor and any landscaping?
Frequently asked questions
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Get waterproofing quotesBasement Waterproofing cost by city
Local labor rates, permits and climate change the number. Pick your city for prices near you.
Basement Waterproofing cost in Los Angeles, CA
$3,720 – $14,880
Basement Waterproofing cost in San Diego, CA
$3,540 – $14,160
Basement Waterproofing cost in San Jose, CA
$4,140 – $16,560
Basement Waterproofing cost in San Francisco, CA
$4,350 – $17,400
Basement Waterproofing cost in Oakland, CA
$3,960 – $15,840
Basement Waterproofing cost in Sacramento, CA
$3,240 – $12,960
Basement Waterproofing cost in Fresno, CA
$2,940 – $11,760
Basement Waterproofing cost in Long Beach, CA
$3,660 – $14,640
Basement Waterproofing cost in Anaheim, CA
$3,600 – $14,400
Basement Waterproofing cost in Santa Ana, CA
$3,570 – $14,280
Basement Waterproofing cost in Irvine, CA
$3,780 – $15,120
Basement Waterproofing cost in Riverside, CA
$3,180 – $12,720
Basement Waterproofing cost in San Bernardino, CA
$3,090 – $12,360
Basement Waterproofing cost in Bakersfield, CA
$2,910 – $11,640
Basement Waterproofing cost in Stockton, CA
$3,060 – $12,240
Basement Waterproofing cost in Modesto, CA
$3,000 – $12,000
Basement Waterproofing cost in Chula Vista, CA
$3,450 – $13,800
Basement Waterproofing cost in Fremont, CA
$4,050 – $16,200
Basement Waterproofing cost in Pasadena, CA
$3,840 – $15,360
Basement Waterproofing cost in Glendale, CA
$3,750 – $15,000
Basement Waterproofing cost in Santa Clarita, CA
$3,480 – $13,920
Basement Waterproofing cost in Torrance, CA
$3,690 – $14,760
Basement Waterproofing cost in Oxnard, CA
$3,420 – $13,680
Basement Waterproofing cost in San Mateo, CA
$4,200 – $16,800