Waterproofing Scope of Work Template
Download a waterproofing scope of work template to define membranes, preparation, detailing, drainage, testing, access, exclusions, and responsibilities.
Define Waterproofing Responsibilities Before Work Begins
A waterproofing scope of work gives specialty contractors a clear record of the systems, substrates, preparation, membranes, detailing, protection, drainage, sealants, equipment, testing, logistics, exclusions, and closeout responsibilities included in a project. A detailed scope helps align the awarded proposal with procurement, scheduling, coordination, and field installation before materials are released or crews mobilize.
This Waterproofing Scope of Work Template is designed for commercial waterproofing subcontractors, building-envelope contractors, restoration contractors, project managers, superintendents, foremen, estimators, and specialty contractors working on below-grade walls, podiums, plaza decks, balconies, terraces, planters, traffic coatings, and other moisture-protection systems.
What Is a Waterproofing Scope of Work?
A waterproofing scope of work describes the labor, materials, systems, equipment, testing, coordination, and deliverables required to complete a defined moisture-protection package. Depending on the project, the scope may include substrate preparation, primer, sheet-applied membrane, self-adhered membrane, fluid-applied waterproofing, cementitious systems, traffic coatings, penetrations, drains, joints, terminations, sealants, protection board, drainage composite, insulation, flashing, testing, and repairs.
The scope should identify the drawings, specifications, approved submittals, manufacturer information, addenda, RFIs, area limits, substrates, waterproofing systems, testing requirements, access conditions, schedule requirements, and work by others that define the package.
When to Use This Template
- Converting an awarded waterproofing proposal into a field-ready scope
- Defining below-grade wall, foundation, retaining-wall, and pit waterproofing
- Documenting podium, plaza-deck, terrace, balcony, and planter waterproofing
- Defining sheet-applied, self-adhered, fluid-applied, cementitious, bentonite, or coating systems
- Assigning substrate cleaning, grinding, patching, crack treatment, and other preparation
- Defining penetrations, drains, joints, transitions, corners, and terminations
- Assigning protection board, drainage composite, insulation, sealants, flashing, and accessories
- Defining lifts, scaffolding, sprayers, pumps, mixers, temporary enclosures, and access requirements
- Assigning mockup, flood-test, leak-detection, repair, and retesting responsibilities
- Revising scope after approved system, substrate, access, sequencing, or testing changes
Who Should Use This Template?
This template is suitable for commercial waterproofing subcontractors, building-envelope contractors, restoration contractors, specialty coating contractors, project managers, superintendents, foremen, estimators, operations managers, and construction business owners.
It can be adapted for commercial buildings, multifamily projects, parking structures, hospitals, schools, hotels, industrial facilities, podium construction, foundations, below-grade walls, plaza decks, balconies, terraces, planters, pits, traffic coatings, and related waterproofing scopes.
What a Waterproofing Scope of Work Should Include
| Scope Section | What to Define |
|---|---|
| Project References | Subcontract, drawings, specifications, approved submittals, manufacturer information, addenda, RFIs, revisions, and testing requirements. |
| Limits of Work | Buildings, areas, elevations, levels, substrates, systems, phases, and physical limits of the waterproofing package. |
| Surface Preparation | Cleaning, drying, grinding, patching, crack treatment, void filling, tie-hole treatment, and other required substrate preparation. |
| Primers and Membranes | Primer, sheet membrane, self-adhered membrane, fluid-applied membrane, cementitious waterproofing, coatings, reinforcement, and related system components. |
| Details and Penetrations | Inside corners, outside corners, penetrations, drains, joints, transitions, changes in plane, terminations, and tie-ins. |
| 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, sill conditions, and perimeter interfaces. |
| Equipment and Access | Boom lifts, scissor lifts, scaffolding, sprayers, mixers, generators, pumps, grinders, vacuums, temporary enclosures, and other equipment. |
| Freight and Material Handling | Delivery, unloading, staging, storage, material protection, relocation, disposal, and remobilization responsibilities. |
| Testing and Quality Control | Mockups, flood testing, electronic leak detection where specified, inspections, repairs, corrective work, retesting, and report distribution. |
| Schedule and Coordination | Area releases, substrate readiness, material release, sequence, weather limitations, backfill timing, protection, and coordination with adjacent trades. |
| Punch List and Closeout | Repairs, membrane patches, sealant corrections, test closeout, warranty documents, product data, cleanup, and turnover requirements. |
| Exclusions and Work by Others | Structural repair, extensive concrete repair, drains, penetrations, temporary power, testing water, backfill, final protection, traffic control, or other excluded work. |
How to Use the Template
- Enter the customer, project, subcontract, proposal, project manager, superintendent, foreman, and governing document references.
- Define the waterproofing limits by building, area, elevation, level, substrate, and system.
- List each waterproofing system and identify where it applies.
- Define required substrate cleaning, drying, grinding, patching, crack treatment, void filling, and primer work.
- Record membrane, reinforcement, coating, protection, drainage, sealant, flashing, termination, and accessory responsibilities.
- Assign penetrations, drains, joints, inside corners, outside corners, transitions, changes in plane, and tie-ins.
- Assign lifts, scaffolding, sprayers, pumps, temporary environmental controls, unloading, storage, and material handling.
- Document mockup, testing, inspection, repair, corrective-work, and retesting responsibilities.
- Define substrate readiness, area releases, sequencing, backfill, weather, protection, and other-trade coordination requirements.
- Review the completed scope against the awarded proposal, subcontract, current project documents, approved submittals, and authorized changes before field installation begins.
A waterproofing subcontractor is awarded a mixed-use project with approximately 19,500 square feet of below-grade foundation walls and 7,800 square feet of podium waterproofing. The scope includes substrate cleaning, specified primer, sheet membrane at below-grade walls, fluid-applied waterproofing at the podium, standard penetration detailing, terminations, drainage composite, protection board, material handling, and required testing support. Extensive concrete repair, drain installation, temporary power, water for flood testing, backfill, and damage caused by other trades are assigned to others. The scope also requires written authorization for additional remobilization if areas are released in fragments outside the agreed installation sequence.
Best Practices for Waterproofing Scopes of Work
- Reference current drawings, specifications, approved submittals, manufacturer information, addenda, and RFIs.
- Define limits by area, elevation, level, substrate, and waterproofing system.
- Separate below-grade, horizontal, deck, planter, coating, and specialty systems where responsibilities differ.
- State exactly what substrate preparation is included.
- Assign responsibility for cracks, voids, honeycombing, tie holes, and other substrate deficiencies.
- Identify penetrations, drains, joints, terminations, transitions, and other detail conditions separately.
- Clarify protection board, drainage, insulation, sealant, flashing, and accessory responsibility.
- Document area release, access, weather protection, storage, backfill, and remobilization expectations.
- Assign testing, repairs, corrective work, retesting, and testing-cost responsibility explicitly.
- Preserve revisions whenever systems, substrates, access, testing, schedule, or trade responsibilities change.
Common Waterproofing Scope of Work Mistakes
- Using broad language such as “complete waterproofing” without identifying systems or limits
- Failing to define substrate preparation and repair responsibility
- Leaving penetrations, drains, joints, corners, and transitions undefined
- Failing to identify protection board, drainage, insulation, sealants, or flashing responsibilities
- Ignoring substrate readiness and area-release requirements
- Leaving temporary protection, weather protection, storage, or backfill coordination unclear
- Failing to define who provides testing water, access, equipment, or testing services
- Leaving failed-test repairs and retesting responsibility ambiguous
- Failing to distinguish damage by other trades from contractor-responsibility repair
- Changing systems, substrates, sequence, or access without documenting a scope revision
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a waterproofing scope of work include?
It should define project references, waterproofing systems, substrates, preparation, membranes, details, protection, drainage, sealants, equipment, testing, schedule, exclusions, work by others, and closeout responsibilities.
How should substrate preparation be documented?
Identify whether cleaning, drying, grinding, patching, crack treatment, void filling, tie-hole treatment, or other preparation is included. Clearly separate routine preparation from major substrate repair when the project documents treat them differently.
Should penetrations and drains be listed separately?
Yes when they require specific detailing, coordination, materials, inspection, or responsibility. Record their location and clarify who furnishes or installs the penetration or drain before the waterproofing contractor completes the tie-in.
How should protection board and drainage be handled?
State who supplies and installs protection board, drainage composite, drainage mat, insulation, termination bars, fasteners, and related accessories. Also define when protection must be completed before backfill or adjacent work begins.
Who is responsible for concrete repair?
The project documents should establish responsibility. The scope should distinguish routine waterproofing preparation from structural repair, major patching, honeycomb repair, dimensional correction, or other concrete work assigned to another contractor.
How should waterproofing testing be addressed?
Document the test type, responsible testing party, access requirements, water or temporary utilities needed, waterproofing-contractor support, repair responsibility, retesting responsibility, and required documentation.
What waterproofing work is commonly performed by others?
Depending on the project, work by others may include structural repair, major concrete repair, drain installation, penetrations, temporary power, water for testing, access provisions, backfill, traffic control, final protection, or independent testing.
When should the waterproofing scope be revised?
Revise it when approved changes affect waterproofing systems, substrates, membrane limits, preparation, penetrations, drainage, testing, access, sequencing, protection, schedule, or trade responsibilities.
Create a Clear Record of Waterproofing Responsibilities
A structured waterproofing scope of work gives office and field teams a common reference for substrates, membranes, detailing, protection, drainage, sealants, equipment, testing, logistics, exclusions, and closeout requirements before installation begins.