Damp and basement waterproofing
Fix damp walls, leaky cellars and basements for homeowners and landlords, working from a van.
- £3k-15k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
37,269 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 43290 “Other construction installation”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Surveying and treating damp problems in homes, such as rising damp, penetrating damp and wet cellars. Work can include damp-proof courses, tanking and cavity drainage membranes, and sump pumps.
Your first three steps
- Take a damp and waterproofing course, such as a Property Care Association or CSSW route, and get some site experience
- Price up a van, tools and materials, and set a fixed pricing method for surveys and jobs
- Contact local letting agents, builders and estate agents to offer surveys and ask for a first job
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, letting agents and people buying older properties who need problems sorted.
How it makes money
Fixed quote per job after a survey, usually based on the area treated. Surveys can be free or charged, and larger basement jobs bring bigger invoices.
Skills that help
- Building and plastering basics
- Diagnosing the cause of damp
- Clear quoting and customer service
- Physical, practical work
Watch out for
- Public liability insurance, and think about insurance-backed guarantees for your work
- Customers often expect a guarantee, so check what you can honestly offer and who stands behind it
- Damp can have several causes, so a wrong diagnosis could mean redoing work for free
- Building regulations or structural advice may apply to basement work, check with your local council
- Dust, chemicals and working in confined spaces, check risk assessment and PPE needs
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: damp and basement waterproofing
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a damp proofing business?
Startup costs are estimates, typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your van, equipment, materials, insurance and any training you choose. Sump pumps and membrane systems may add to costs if you offer basement work.
How much revenue can a damp and waterproofing business bring in?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £2,500 to £10,000, depending on how many jobs you take on and their size. Working at least around 25 hours a week is a typical starting point.
What rules should I check before waterproofing basements and treating damp?
Check insurance, including public liability, and what guarantee you can honestly offer. Building regulations or structural advice may apply to basement work, so check with your local council. Also check risk assessment and PPE needs for dust, chemicals and confined spaces.
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