Exterior Foundation Waterproofing Cost in Ottawa, Wall by Wall
$100 to $350 per linear foot of wall
Commonly $150 to $250. Excavation, membrane, drainage and new tile, in published Ontario contractor pricing, 2025–26. Deeper foundations and tight access cost more.
Exterior work digs down beside the foundation to the footing, so it is priced by the length of wall. Enter the walls you are getting quoted to see what the published per-foot range comes to for that length.
Last reviewed 2026-10-01. Published figures, not quotes; yours will differ.
Your walls
| Item | Published range |
|---|---|
| Exterior waterproofing (per linear foot of wall) | $100 to $350, commonly $150 to $250 |
What the quote should say
- Which walls, and the linear feet of each
- Dampproofing or waterproofing named, and why
- Whether the drain tile is replaced, and where it drains
- How the membrane is protected during backfill
- Who requests the locate and who pulls any permit
- The warranty terms: what is covered, for how long, whether they transfer to a buyer
Permits
The City of Ottawa lists "Damp proofing of existing basements" as work that does not need a building permit, and "Structural foundation repairs and drain tile replacement" as permit work. Exterior membrane work without tile replacement is not named on either list, so ask the City before the work starts. Digging needs a locate request first: the Act requires it, locates are free, and Ontario Dig Authority asks for it at least 5 business days before you dig.
City rebate
The City of Ottawa's Residential Protective Plumbing Program rebates protective plumbing devices (backwater valves, and sump pumps with battery backup). It does not list this work among its rebates.
Waterproofing IQ answers on this job
- How much does exterior foundation waterproofing cost per foot in Ottawa?
- What should one wall of exterior waterproofing cost in Kanata?
- Why do exterior waterproofing quotes in Westboro vary so much per foot?
- Are exterior waterproofing quotes in Barrhaven priced by the foot or by the job?
- Should my Ottawa quote say dampproofing or waterproofing in writing?
Quick answers
Is weeping tile included in the per-foot range?
The published exterior range covers excavation, the membrane, drainage and new tile. A quote that leaves the tile in place describes a different job, so ask each contractor to say whether the tile is replaced and where it drains.
Which walls does the Code say get waterproofing?
No. Ontario's Building Code requires waterproofing where hydrostatic pressure occurs (9.13.3.1) and dampproofing on below-grade walls where the ground outside is higher than the floor inside (9.13.2.1). The Code gives no number for hydrostatic pressure, so ask which one the quote covers and why.
Want this done at your place?
Tell us where the water is getting in and we'll send it to local Ottawa waterproofing contractors, who reply by email. We send it out to local contractors for you. Free, no pressure.