Estimating & Invoicing Software for Waterproofing Contractors

Why waterproofing jobs are hard to price

• Below-grade surprises. Cracks, roots and soil conditions show up once you dig.
• Several systems. Membranes, coatings, drainage board, drain tile and sumps each have their own cost.
• Excavation and backfill. Digging, hauling and restoring the yard are a big share of the job.
• Interior or exterior. The method changes the whole bid.

How Trades HQ helps waterproofing contractors

• Ready-made waterproofing items in your Price Book, like crystalline coating, liquid and self-adhered membranes, drainage board, dimple mat, hydraulic cement, perforated drain pipe, filter fabric and sump basin kits. Add your prices once and reuse them.
• Bid work out to other subs, for example an excavator for the dig.
• Change orders for cracks or conditions found once the wall is exposed.
• Proposals customers approve online, then one click to invoice.
• Deposits and progress billing on bigger jobs.
• Live job profit as labor, equipment and materials come in.

An exterior foundation waterproofing estimate, step by step

1. Measure the foundation perimeter and the wall depth.
2. Figure the membrane area and rolls.
3. Add drainage board, drain pipe, fabric and stone.
4. Add excavation, backfill and haul-away.
5. Add crack repair and labor.
6. Apply your overhead and profit.

Example (illustrative): a 30 × 40 ft foundation, 8 ft deep, with self-adhered membrane in 200 sq ft rolls.

Pricing tip: Put excavation, backfill and yard restoration on separate lines, so a hard dig shows up in the price. And remember that markup and margin aren't the same number: a 20% margin needs a 25% markup. The Estimating Basics guide walks through the math, and the free markup and margin calculator does it for you.