Basement waterproofing and insulation costs

Basement waterproofing and insulation can provide valuable living space and huge energy savings. But it may cost you just some hundred dollars, or several thousands... It depends on the type of intervention and problems.

Full exterior insulation and waterproofing

Full-basement insulation and waterproofing, involving the exterior of the foundation walls, is expensive. Digging a trench around the foundations make the final costs much higher. Costs between $3,000 and $5000 are common.

On moderate-rainy and dry climates, if the ground isn't saturated with profound water, more partial waterproofing and insulation works will make the final costs much lower.

Surface drainage measures

Surface drainage measures (involving drain footings around the house, fixing problems with the gutters and downspouts or with extenders and splash-blocks, or the application of gravel in the underground) can be relatively inexpensive.

Costs around $800-$1,200 are common and can be recovered in 4-5 years (Building Energy Codes Program).

Cold and Uncomfortable Basements

Coldness and moisture in your basement can have their causes in inefficiencies of your heating system, air leaks in the upper parts of the house, unsealed combustion appliances, duct leaks, etc. In this case, the costs are extremely variable. They depend exactly on the exact type of cause.

See: Cold and uncomfortable basements.

Energy savings

The amount of energy savings provided by all these interventions depends on climate (the colder the climate the higher the benefits and also the costs of the intervention) and on the energy consumption and prices.

According to DOE, typical average savings for a 1,500 square foot (140 m2) home with a conditioned basement heated by natural gas, range between $250 and $450 for cities like Buffalo, Denver, Minneapolis, Seattle, St. Louis and Washington.