Waterproofing Bid Proposal Template
Download a waterproofing bid proposal template to present scope, pricing, alternates, exclusions, allowances, schedule terms, and project-specific bid details.
Present Waterproofing Pricing and Scope in a Clear Bid Proposal
A waterproofing bid proposal turns estimate information into a clear offer for a customer or general contractor. It documents the waterproofing systems being priced, the work included in the base bid, project-specific assumptions, exclusions, alternates, allowances, unit prices, schedule considerations, and proposed contract amount.
This Waterproofing Bid Proposal Template is designed for commercial waterproofing subcontractors, building-envelope contractors, restoration contractors, estimators, project managers, and specialty contractors bidding below-grade waterproofing, plaza decks, podiums, balconies, terraces, planters, traffic coatings, sheet membranes, fluid-applied systems, and related moisture-protection work.
What Is a Waterproofing Bid Proposal?
A waterproofing bid proposal is a customer-facing document that defines the work a contractor proposes to furnish and install for a stated price. It typically references the project documents used for pricing and describes the waterproofing systems, substrates, locations, preparation, detailing, protection, drainage, sealants, testing, and other work included in the offer.
The proposal should also identify important limits on the price. Substrate repair, excessive moisture, additional penetrations, inaccessible areas, temporary protection, heating, testing, remobilization, or work outside the identified systems can materially affect waterproofing costs. Clearly documenting assumptions and exclusions makes it easier to compare the bid with the eventual subcontract scope.
When to Use This Template
- Submitting a waterproofing subcontractor bid to a general contractor or construction manager
- Proposing below-grade foundation or retaining-wall waterproofing
- Bidding sheet-applied, self-adhered, or fluid-applied membrane systems
- Pricing plaza decks, podiums, terraces, balconies, planters, or pits
- Proposing traffic-coating or pedestrian-coating systems where included
- Separating base bid, alternates, allowances, and unit-price work
- Clarifying substrate preparation and repair responsibilities
- Defining responsibility for protection board, drainage composite, insulation, and accessories
- Documenting testing, mockup, access, weather, sequencing, and protection assumptions
- Revising a proposal after addenda, scope changes, clarifications, or value-engineering requests
Who Should Use This Template?
This template is useful for waterproofing estimators, project managers, building-envelope contractors, restoration contractors, specialty coating contractors, and business owners who need to communicate proposed work and pricing to customers.
It can be adapted for commercial buildings, multifamily projects, parking structures, hospitals, schools, hotels, industrial facilities, podium construction, foundations, plaza decks, balconies, terraces, planters, and other projects with waterproofing or moisture-protection scopes.
What a Waterproofing Bid Proposal Should Include
| Proposal Section | What to Document |
|---|---|
| Project Information | Customer, project name, location, proposal number, bid date, drawings, specifications, addenda, and other pricing references. |
| Waterproofing Systems | Below-grade, sheet-applied, self-adhered, fluid-applied, cementitious, deck, traffic-coating, planter, and other systems included in the proposal. |
| Surface Preparation | Cleaning, grinding, patching, crack treatment, void filling, primer, and the extent of substrate preparation included. |
| Membrane Installation | Waterproofing areas, membrane types, reinforcement, coats, and installation locations included in the base scope. |
| Details | Penetrations, drains, inside and outside corners, transitions, terminations, construction joints, changes in plane, and related detailing. |
| Protection and Drainage | Protection board, drainage composite, drainage mat, insulation where included, termination bars, fasteners, and accessories. |
| Sealants and Flashing | Sealants, backer rod, primers, flashing, transition materials, and related work included in the waterproofing scope. |
| Testing and Quality Requirements | Mockups, flood testing, leak-detection support, inspection support, repairs, retesting, and responsibility for testing costs. |
| Pricing | Base bid, alternates, allowances, unit prices, taxes, bonds, and other applicable pricing components. |
| Clarifications and Exclusions | Substrate condition, access, weather, sequencing, protection, temporary conditions, testing, repair, and work-by-others assumptions. |
| Commercial Terms | Proposal validity, payment terms, retainage where applicable, schedule assumptions, change-work requirements, and acceptance information. |
How to Use the Template
- Enter the customer, project, proposal number, bid date, estimator, and contractor contact information.
- List the drawings, specifications, addenda, RFIs, bid instructions, and other documents used to prepare the proposal.
- Describe each waterproofing system by location, substrate, and general scope rather than using one broad description for the entire project.
- Identify whether surface cleaning, grinding, patching, crack treatment, primer, and other preparation are included.
- Describe membrane, detailing, penetrations, drains, terminations, sealants, protection board, drainage, and other included components.
- State the base bid and separate alternates, allowances, unit prices, and deductive options.
- Document assumptions for access, substrate readiness, sequencing, working hours, storage, weather, temporary protection, and testing.
- List significant exclusions and identify work expected from the general contractor, owner, concrete contractor, plumber, or other trades.
- Record proposal validity, schedule assumptions, payment terms, change-work requirements, and other applicable commercial conditions.
- Compare the completed proposal with the underlying estimate before submitting it to confirm that priced scope and proposed scope match.
A waterproofing subcontractor proposes 21,000 square feet of below-grade wall waterproofing and 8,400 square feet of podium waterproofing for a mixed-use project. The base bid includes substrate cleaning, specified primer and membrane, standard penetration detailing, termination bars, drainage composite, protection board, material handling, and normal cleanup. An alternate covers a traffic-bearing coating at an exposed service area, while extensive concrete patching is excluded and offered at unit prices. The proposal states that substrates must be ready for waterproofing, access must remain available during installation, and additional remobilization caused by fragmented area releases is not included in the base price.
Best Practices for Waterproofing Bid Proposals
- Use scope descriptions that match the estimate and project documents.
- Identify waterproofing systems by location instead of describing the entire project as one lump-sum scope.
- State whether substrate preparation, crack repair, patching, and void filling are included.
- Clarify responsibility for penetrations, drains, termination conditions, flashing, protection, and drainage.
- Separate base bid, alternates, allowances, and unit prices.
- Document assumptions about access, area releases, storage, sequencing, weather, and working hours.
- Identify responsibility for mockups, testing, testing water, repairs, and retesting.
- Use unit prices for uncertain quantities when appropriate instead of hiding them in an unsupported lump-sum allowance.
- Reference the specific drawing, specification, addendum, and RFI versions used for pricing.
- Review the proposal against the estimate before submission so included work is not accidentally omitted from the price or proposal.
Common Waterproofing Bid Proposal Mistakes
- Using a generic scope description that does not identify waterproofing systems or locations
- Failing to state the drawing and specification revisions used for pricing
- Leaving substrate preparation responsibilities unclear
- Failing to address penetrations, drains, transitions, terminations, and other detail conditions
- Omitting protection board, drainage composite, sealants, flashing, or accessories from the written scope
- Combining alternates and allowances with the base bid without clear separation
- Failing to document access, weather, storage, sequencing, or remobilization assumptions
- Leaving testing, repairs, and retesting responsibilities undefined
- Including exclusions that conflict with work already carried in the estimate
- Submitting a revised price without identifying the proposal revision and reason for the change
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a waterproofing bid proposal include?
It should identify the project, pricing documents, proposed waterproofing systems, included work, base bid, alternates, allowances, unit prices, assumptions, exclusions, schedule considerations, commercial terms, and proposal acceptance information.
How detailed should the waterproofing scope be?
The scope should be detailed enough to identify the systems, locations, preparation, membranes, detailing, protection, drainage, sealants, and testing responsibilities included in the price. The appropriate detail depends on the project and bid documents.
Should substrate repair be included in the proposal?
State specifically what preparation and repair are included. Cleaning or minor preparation may be part of the base scope while extensive grinding, patching, honeycomb repair, crack repair, or other corrective work may be excluded, carried as an allowance, or priced by unit rate.
How should waterproofing alternates be presented?
List each alternate separately with a description and add or deduct price. Examples can include alternate membrane systems, additional protection, traffic coatings, expanded testing, or other requested scope options.
What waterproofing unit prices can be useful?
Depending on the project, unit prices may be useful for additional membrane area, crack treatment, concrete preparation, penetrations, drains, terminations, sealants, protection board, drainage composite, or remobilization. Use only units and rates appropriate to the actual contract scope.
Should testing be addressed in the proposal?
Yes. Clarify whether mockups, flood testing, leak detection, testing-agency costs, contractor support, repairs, and retesting are included, excluded, or assigned to another party.
What work-by-others items should be considered?
Depending on the project, the proposal may need to clarify responsibility for substrate readiness, structural repairs, drains, penetrations, temporary power, testing water, access, scaffolding, backfill, final protection, and work performed by adjacent trades.
When should a waterproofing proposal be revised?
Revise the proposal when addenda, drawing changes, specification revisions, RFIs, scope clarifications, alternates, schedule changes, access requirements, or customer requests materially change the proposed scope or price.
Turn the Waterproofing Estimate Into a Defined Offer
A well-structured waterproofing bid proposal connects the estimated price with a clearly defined scope. Documenting systems, locations, preparation, detailing, protection, testing, assumptions, exclusions, alternates, and commercial terms gives both the contractor and customer a practical record of what the bid is intended to cover.