Why do exterior waterproofing quotes in Westboro vary so much per foot?

On published Ontario contractor price pages, exterior waterproofing runs about $100 to $350 per linear foot of wall, commonly $150 to $250, so a wide spread between quotes is something to read line by line rather than accept or dismiss.

What the published pages name as changing the price

Deeper foundations and tight access cost more. Beyond that, the biggest thing to check is whether two quotes describe the same job: the same walls and length, the same protection (dampproofing or waterproofing), and the same decision about the drain tile at the bottom of the wall. A quote that replaces the tile and one that leaves it in place are different scopes, and their per-foot figures cannot be compared directly.

Ontario's Building Code requires dampproofing on a below-grade foundation wall where the ground outside is higher than the floor inside (9.13.2.1), and waterproofing where hydrostatic pressure occurs (9.13.3.1). The Code gives no number for when that happens, so ask each contractor which one their quote covers and why.

Questions to ask each contractor before you compare numbers:

• Is the price per linear foot for the full wall or only the affected section?
• Does the quote include new drain tile, and where does it discharge?
• Is backfill and grading included?
• Is anything finished inside affected, and is that in the price?
• Who pulls any required permit, and is the fee in the quote?

On permits, the City of Ottawa lists "Structural foundation repairs and drain tile replacement" as building permit work. If new tile is in the scope, ask who applies and whether the fee is included.

Before you sign, ask each contractor to walk you through what the per-foot price includes and excludes, so you are comparing the same scope across every quote.