Damp proofing cost UK 2026
Damp proofing costs vary widely by type. Rising damp (chemical DPC injection): £400–£900 per affected wall. Penetrating damp (external repairs): £400–£3,000 depending on cause. Basement / cellar tanking: £80–£150/m² or £4,000–£15,000 for typical UK cellar. Get a damp survey first — many "damp" problems are actually condensation.
Cost guide ranges
| Treatment | Per wall / m² | Typical scope | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damp survey + report | £250–£450 fixed | Independent specialist | £250–£450 |
| Chemical DPC injection (1 wall) | £400–£900 | Single external wall, 5m run | £400–£900 |
| Full house DPC injection | £40–£90/m | All external walls | £1,500–£4,500 |
| Penetrating damp repair | £400–£3,000 | Repoint + redecorate + treat | £400–£3,000 |
| Tanking basement / cellar (m²) | £80–£150 | Full waterproofing | £4,000–£15,000 |
| Replastering after DPC (per wall) | £300–£900 | Stripping + replastering | £300–£900 |
| Mould treatment + redecoration (per room) | £250–£800 | Anti-mould wash + paint | £250–£800 |
What's typically included
- Damp survey by qualified specialist (CSRT or PCA)
- Chemical DPC cream injection for rising damp
- External repointing for penetrating damp
- Tanking membrane / slurry for basements
- Replastering of treated walls (if specified)
- Anti-mould treatment + redecoration
- PCA guarantee (typically 20 years)
What's typically NOT included
- Identifying actual cause if survey was inconclusive
- Repairs to gutters / external rainwater goods
- New windows if condensation issue
- Improved ventilation / extractor fans
- Repairs to cause of penetrating damp (roof, lead flashing, etc.)
- Internal redecoration after treatment
What drives the price
- Type of damp — rising damp, penetrating damp, and condensation are different problems with different solutions and costs. A damp survey first is essential.
- DPC method — chemical injection is the modern standard. Older properties sometimes have damp courses that need replacement (more expensive). Slate / lead DPC retrofitting is rare and very expensive.
- Replastering — chemical DPC requires hacking off contaminated plaster up to 1.2m and replastering with salt-resistant render. Often the most expensive part of the job.
- Cellar / basement tanking — Type A (membrane), Type B (waterproof concrete), Type C (cavity drained system). Type C usually most reliable but most expensive.
- Cause of damp — actually fixing the cause (failed gutter, broken downpipe, missing flashing) often cheaper than treating the symptom.
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How we estimated these ranges
This is a guide only. The ranges below are intended for early budgeting and trade benchmarking. They are not a substitute for a site visit or an itemised quote from a qualified tradesperson. Always get a site-specific quote before agreeing work.
What's included in these ranges: typical labour costs, common materials at standard specification, and routine preparation or installation work for a standard project of this type.
What's excluded: unusual access (multi-storey, restricted parking), unforeseen structural issues, specialist design or architect fees, planning and building control application fees, premium or high-end finishes, emergency or out-of-hours work, and regional extremes.
Regional note: London, the South East and remote rural areas can vary significantly from the UK averages shown. London labour rates in particular can run 30–50% higher than national averages on the same scope.
Sources and checks used: publicly available UK trade supplier pricing (2025–2026), common day-rate and labour-duration assumptions used in trade quoting, internal example quote structures from TailoredQuote platform data, and where relevant cross-referenced regional contractor surveys and BCIS-style construction cost data.
Last reviewed: May 2026 by TailoredQuote. Prices in this guide will be reviewed and updated periodically.
Frequently asked questions
£400–£900 per wall for chemical DPC. £1,500–£4,500 for full house. Tanking a cellar £4,000–£15,000.
Genuine rising damp is rare in UK homes built post-1900 (which already have a DPC). Many 'rising damp' diagnoses are actually condensation. Always get a survey from someone who isn't selling you the treatment.
Sometimes — they may make it a condition of the mortgage. Check the mortgage offer. If required, get the work done by a PCA or CSRT-certified specialist with a 20-year insurance-backed guarantee.
Chemical DPC kits exist but the work usually fails inspection or doesn't actually solve the problem. For mortgageable / insurance-backed work, use a certified specialist.
Related cost guides
Last reviewed: May 2026
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