What a dry basement costs in Kansas City, from a $300 fix to a full drain system
Waterproofing ranges from a downspout extension to a full perimeter drain. The cheapest water to stop is the water that never reaches the wall, so that's where the list starts.
A wet basement in the metro usually comes down to one question: how much water reaches the wall, and where does it go once it does? The answer decides the cost. Here's the ladder, from least to most.
| Fix | Planning range | When it's the answer |
|---|---|---|
| Downspout extensions | $150 – $600 | Water pooling at one corner after rain |
| Regrading along the foundation | $500 – $2,500 | Soil sloping toward the house |
| Window well drain and cover | $350 – $900 per well | Water coming in at a basement window |
| Crack injection | $450 – $900 per crack | Water through one poured-wall crack |
| Sump pump replacement | $500 – $1,100 | Old pump in an existing pit |
| Battery backup sump | $900 – $1,900 | Any basement that relies on a pump |
| Interior drain, partial | $3,000 – $7,000 | One or two walls that seep |
| Interior drain, full perimeter | $8,000 – $16,000 | Seepage at the cove joint on most walls |
| Exterior waterproofing | $150 – $300 per foot | One problem wall, finished basements, easy access |
Why the outside comes first
Clay barely drains, so roof water dumped next to the house stays there and soaks down the backfill to the footing. A ten-foot downspout extension and a regraded bed can take a corner from wet to dry for a few hundred dollars. We always price those lines first, and on some houses they're all that's needed.
What drives an interior drain price
Perimeter length, floor thickness, how much of the basement is finished, obstacles like furnaces and stairs, and the sump. A typical 1,000-square-foot basement has around 120 to 130 feet of perimeter, though many jobs only need the walls that leak.
What we don't sell
Paint-on sealers as a cure for a leaking basement. They may help with dampness on a dry wall, but water under pressure pushes them off.
Quick questions
Is a partial drain worth it, or should I do the whole basement?
If one or two walls leak and the others stay dry through a wet spring, a partial drain on those walls is usually enough. It can be extended later.
Do I need a sump pump for an interior drain?
Yes. The drain carries water to a pit, and the pump sends it outside. If you already have a working pit, we connect to it.
How long does an interior drain last?
A properly built system with fabric, clean gravel and a cleanout is meant to last for decades. The pump is the part that wears and gets replaced.