Cost guides › Basement waterproofing
United States
Basement waterproofing cost per linear foot
Waterproofing 98 ft of basement wall with an interior perimeter drain and a sump pump typically costs $8,500, with most jobs between $6,650 and $11,100 before sales tax. The basic version is about $8,150; adding a battery backup pump and a whole-basement dehumidifier brings it to around $11,200. Excavating outside for a membrane and footing drain, or just coating the walls, can be priced in the calculator.
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mid-range, typicalCost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $11,000 | $11,500 | $14,400 |
| Alaska | $10,900 | $11,400 | $14,400 |
| Illinois | $9,950 | $10,400 | $13,400 |
| Washington | $9,750 | $10,200 | $13,100 |
| Oregon | $9,200 | $9,600 | $12,500 |
| Minnesota | $9,100 | $9,500 | $12,600 |
| Massachusetts | $8,850 | $9,300 | $12,400 |
| Wisconsin | $8,800 | $9,200 | $12,000 |
| District of Columbia | $8,750 | $9,150 | $12,300 |
| New York | $8,750 | $9,150 | $12,100 |
Show all regions
| California | $8,600 | $9,050 | $12,000 |
| Rhode Island | $8,650 | $9,050 | $11,900 |
| Montana | $8,600 | $9,000 | $11,800 |
| New Jersey | $8,550 | $9,000 | $12,000 |
| Ohio | $8,550 | $8,950 | $11,700 |
| Indiana | $8,550 | $8,900 | $11,700 |
| Missouri | $8,450 | $8,900 | $11,600 |
| Pennsylvania | $8,500 | $8,900 | $11,600 |
| Michigan | $8,450 | $8,850 | $11,600 |
| Connecticut | $8,350 | $8,800 | $11,800 |
| Nevada | $8,400 | $8,800 | $11,500 |
| Vermont | $8,400 | $8,800 | $11,500 |
| Colorado | $8,400 | $8,750 | $11,500 |
| Arizona | $8,250 | $8,600 | $11,300 |
| Iowa | $8,200 | $8,600 | $11,300 |
| Wyoming | $8,200 | $8,600 | $11,200 |
| North Dakota | $8,200 | $8,550 | $11,500 |
| Delaware | $8,150 | $8,500 | $11,300 |
| Utah | $8,050 | $8,450 | $11,100 |
| Maine | $8,050 | $8,400 | $11,200 |
| Idaho | $8,000 | $8,350 | $11,000 |
| New Hampshire | $7,950 | $8,350 | $11,300 |
| Kansas | $7,800 | $8,150 | $10,900 |
| Maryland | $7,800 | $8,150 | $11,000 |
| Virginia | $7,650 | $8,050 | $10,700 |
| West Virginia | $7,700 | $8,050 | $10,600 |
| Kentucky | $7,650 | $8,000 | $10,700 |
| Nebraska | $7,550 | $7,950 | $10,600 |
| Louisiana | $7,550 | $7,900 | $10,600 |
| New Mexico | $7,550 | $7,900 | $10,500 |
| South Carolina | $7,500 | $7,850 | $10,500 |
| Florida | $7,450 | $7,800 | $10,400 |
| Tennessee | $7,450 | $7,800 | $10,400 |
| Texas | $7,400 | $7,750 | $10,400 |
| North Carolina | $7,350 | $7,700 | $10,400 |
| South Dakota | $7,350 | $7,700 | $10,400 |
| Georgia | $7,300 | $7,650 | $10,300 |
| Oklahoma | $7,300 | $7,600 | $10,300 |
| Alabama | $7,200 | $7,550 | $10,100 |
| Arkansas | $7,250 | $7,550 | $10,100 |
| Mississippi | $7,150 | $7,450 | $10,000 |
What's included
Mid-range
- Building or plumbing permit where your town requires one
- Cutting and removing the slab along the treated walls
- Perforated drain pipe in washed stone at the footing, with a dimple membrane at the wall base
- New concrete poured back over the trench
- Sump pit, submersible pump, check valve and discharge line to the outside
- Downspout extensions and splash blocks to move roof water away from the foundation
What affects the cost
Interior or exterior
An interior drain catches water where the wall meets the floor and pumps it out; it is cheaper, faster and can be done in any season. Exterior waterproofing stops water at the outside face of the wall but means digging down to the footing, so it costs much more and disturbs the yard.
Length of wall
Drains and membranes are priced by the linear foot, so treating one leaking wall costs far less than the whole perimeter. Good contractors will tell you if only part of the basement needs it.
Finished basements
Drywall, framing, carpet and built-ins along the walls have to come out before a drain goes in and be rebuilt afterward. That can add thousands, so pick the finished option in the calculator if it applies.
Cracks and wall condition
Leaking cracks in poured walls are injected with polyurethane. Walls that bow, shear or show stair-step cracks in block need a structural repair first, which is not part of waterproofing.
Sealers and coatings
Waterproof coatings help with dampness and condensation on the wall surface but will not hold back water under pressure. They are the cheapest option and the one most likely to disappoint if water is actually coming in.
Grading and gutters
Much basement water starts at the roof and in soil sloping toward the house. Downspout extensions and correct grading are cheap and make any system work less hard.
How to save
- Fix gutters, downspouts and grading first; sometimes that stops a minor leak on its own.
- Treat only the walls that actually leak if the rest of the basement stays dry through wet seasons.
- Choose an interior drain unless there is a specific reason to excavate, such as a failing wall or planned landscaping work.
- Compare warranties: a transferable warranty on the drain system is worth having if you plan to sell.
Grants, tax and rules
Permits
Plumbing, electrical and structural changes usually need a local permit, and many towns treat a new sump discharge line or exterior excavation that way. Ask your building department before work starts.
Sales tax
Sales tax on materials varies by state; labor is often not taxed, but rules vary. Our figures are before sales tax.
Frequently asked questions
How much does basement waterproofing cost?
An interior drain with a sump pump along 98 ft of wall costs around $8,500 before tax. Basic installations run about $8,150, and a system with battery backup and a whole-basement dehumidifier is around $11,200.
How much is basement waterproofing per linear foot?
Divide the total by the length of wall treated: the typical price for 98 ft is $8,500 including the sump pump. Exterior excavation costs considerably more per foot than an interior drain.
Is interior or exterior waterproofing better?
Exterior waterproofing keeps water out of the wall entirely, but interior drainage is cheaper, less disruptive and very effective for most leaking basements. Exterior makes sense when the wall itself is deteriorating or the yard is being dug up anyway.
Do I need a sump pump?
If you have an interior drain, yes: the water has to go somewhere. A battery backup keeps the pump running during the storms that knock out power, which is when you need it most.
Will a waterproof paint stop my basement from leaking?
Not if water is coming in under pressure through cracks or the floor joint. Coatings are for dampness and condensation; active leaks need crack injection, drainage or exterior work.
How long does it take?
An interior drain and sump pump for a typical basement takes two to four days. Exterior excavation takes longer and depends on weather and access.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 67.7 · Labour: $4,803 · Materials: $3,703
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics; Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates; market check: About 100 linear ft of interior drain with sump pump, before tax. HomeGuide basement waterproofing cost (23 Jan 2026: interior $6,000-12,000, exterior $10,000-18,000, sump pump $600-2,500, crack injection $250-800, sealer $2-10/sq ft); Fixr basement waterproofing (interior perimeter drain $40-120/lf, average job $5,000, permits $75-500).
Last reviewed September 26, 2026 · How we calculate costs · Editorial policy