Basement Waterproofing Cost in New York [2025 Data]

Basements in New York City are often under stress from aging infrastructure and heavy rainfall. Waterproofing costs here average around $5,842, with most homeowners paying between $3,485 and $8,259. The city’s combination of limited space, heavy regulations, high cost of living, and complex underground infrastructure makes waterproofing work slower and more expensive than it is in most other cities.

Basement Waterproofing Cost Factors 

The cost of basement waterproofing in New York, NY can vary quite a bit based on factors like the waterproofing method and whether you need indoor or outdoor solutions. Understanding these and other cost factors can help you find the best waterproofing solution for your home and budget.

Basement Size

The cost to waterproof a basement falls between $3 and $10 per square foot on average, although where in this range your pricing falls depends largely on the type of waterproofing method you choose. In any case, large spaces require more time, labor, and material to waterproof than small spaces. Therefore, the larger your basement, the more you can expect to pay for waterproofing for any given method.

Below is a breakdown of how much you might spend for a range of basement sizes.

Interior vs. Exterior Waterproofing

Depending on where your basement water issues are stemming from and what solutions your expert recommends, you may need either interior or exterior waterproofing services. Some homes require both. Interior basement waterproofing is often more affordable because it doesn’t involve excavation and backfilling. Something like installing damp-proofing around the exterior of your foundation would require a lot of digging, which drastically increases labor costs.

You’ll spend an average of $3,000 on interior waterproofing services, while extensive exterior services will cost an average of $7,000.

Waterproofing Method

As mentioned above, professionals can waterproof your basement from the exterior or the interior. Exterior methods are more effective because they’re preventative, but they’re also more expensive because they tend to require excavation, which is time-consuming. The table below includes a list of basement waterproofing methods along with cost ranges for each.

Basement Waterproofing Pro Costs

Hiring a pro to waterproof your basement can come with some unexpected fees. For instance, in addition to materials and labor, you may also need to pay for permits and taxes. 

Labor

Waterproofing contractors in New York City typically charge between $125 and $200 per hour, which are some of the highest labor rates in the country due to the city’s particularly high cost of living. And prices often increase for jobs that involve exterior excavation in dense urban areas, where limited access, manual digging, and strict safety requirements add significant time and complexity to the project.

Permits

In New York City, most basement waterproofing or structural work, like excavation, foundation alterations, and drainage system installations, need a permit reviewed by the Department of Buildings. Permit fees depend on the project’s declared cost and scope. Simple alteration permits may cost a few hundred dollars, while major waterproofing and excavation projects can push permit expenses into the thousands.

Licensing and Insurance

Contractors performing basement waterproofing in New York typically need a New York State Home Improvement Contractor license issued by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. They also need to maintain liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage to operate legally within the city. These ongoing insurance and licensing costs are usually included in the price you’re quoted.

Taxes

In New York City, basement waterproofing projects are subject to New York State’s 4% sales tax plus the city’s local rate, bringing the combined total to about 8.875%. The tax only applies to materials, since labor is not taxable under state law. Contractors typically include this tax in the material portion of their estimate, so check your quote to make sure only the materials and not labor are taxed.

Does Basement Waterproofing Increase Home Value?

While basement waterproofing in New York City doesn’t necessarily provide a significant financial return on investment, it does a great job of protecting your home’s value by keeping out the moisture and structural damage that come with old foundations and heavy rainfall. In a dense, aging city, even small leaks can escalate quickly into costly repairs, so having a dry, well-sealed basement can preserve both the integrity and marketability of your property.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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