How much does damp proofing cost in 2026?
According to the 2026 cost guides below, an injected damp proof course typically costs £60–£200 per metre of wall, or roughly £650–£3,400 for a typical job. A physical damp proof course, tanking a cellar or major replastering cost more. The biggest saving is making sure you need damp proofing at all.
All figures below are published UK-wide ranges from named cost guides, with the date each was last updated. They're not quotes, and they're not prices we've set.
Damp proof courses
| Work | Checkatrade | MyJobQuote |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical (injected) damp proof course, per metre | £60–£200 | £60–£90 |
| Chemical damp proof course, whole job | £1,000–£3,000 | £650–£3,400 |
| Terraced house | – | £350–£450 |
| Semi-detached house | – | £650–£950 |
| Detached house | – | £1,700–£2,200 |
| Physical damp proof course in an existing wall | £2,500–£7,500 | – |
| Electro-osmotic damp proof course, per metre | – | £75–£140 |
Sources: Checkatrade, damp proofing costs (last updated June 2026; figures plus VAT; excludes replastering, decoration and surveys) and MyJobQuote, damp proof course costs (updated 7 September 2026; covers cream, labour and clearing up; excludes the survey, replastering and decoration).
Rising damp, as a whole job
| Property | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Terraced house | £250–£1,020 |
| Semi-detached house | £475–£2,350 |
| Detached house | £690–£5,200 |
| One wall, injected | £560–£2,200 |
| Whole house, injected | £1,020–£5,200 |
Source: MyJobQuote, rising damp treatment costs (updated 2 January 2026). Checkatrade puts rising damp treatment for a medium-sized property at about £2,000.
Membranes, tanking and penetrating damp
| Work | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Damp proof membrane on walls, per m² | £80–£140 | MyJobQuote |
| Cellar or basement tanking, per m² | £70–£120 | MyJobQuote |
| Cellar or basement tanking, per m² | £100–£200 | Checkatrade |
| Penetrating damp, small localised job | £300–£1,500 | MyJobQuote |
| Penetrating damp, including outside repairs | £1,000–£5,000+ | MyJobQuote |
| External walls treated for penetrating damp | £1,000–£3,000 | Checkatrade |
Sources: as above, plus MyJobQuote, penetrating damp costs (updated 8 October 2026).
Surveys and ventilation
| Work | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Damp survey | £150–£500 | MyBuilder |
| Damp survey | £100–£600 | Checkatrade |
| Extractor fan, like-for-like replacement | £80–£150 | MyJobQuote |
| Positive input ventilation unit, installed | £400–£1,200 | MyBuilder |
Sources: MyBuilder, damp survey costs and PIV installation costs (both updated 21 August 2026); MyJobQuote, extractor fan costs (updated 15 September 2026).
What pushes the price up or down
- Length of wall. Injection is priced by the metre, so a mid-terrace with two party walls costs less than a detached house with four outside walls.
- Replastering. Plaster soaked with salts usually has to come off and be replaced, often to around a metre high. Most of the guides above leave this out, and it can match the cost of the injection.
- Wall type. Thick solid walls take more drilling and more cream than modern cavity walls.
- Access. Fitted kitchens, built-in units and radiators along a wall add labour, as does scaffolding for outside repairs.
- Making good. Refitting skirting boards, electrics and decorating are often extras.
- Guarantee. An insurance-backed guarantee can add to the price but protects you if the firm stops trading.
How to avoid paying for the wrong thing
A lot of damp that gets quoted for damp proofing is actually condensation, a leak or rain penetration. These are usually cheaper to fix, and a new damp course won't fix any of them. Before you agree to injection, ask the specialist:
- How do you know it's rising damp rather than condensation or a leak?
- Have you checked outside ground levels, gutters, downpipes and air bricks?
- Does the price include replastering and making good, and VAT?
- What does the guarantee cover, and who backs it?
An independent damp and mould survey, typically a few hundred pounds, can save you several thousand. Our guide to telling damp from condensation is a good first step.
Facts, dates and prices on this page were last checked on 29 October 2026.
Common questions
Why do the cost guides disagree?
They collect prices differently and include different things. Checkatrade's damp proofing figures are plus VAT and leave out replastering; MyJobQuote's damp proof course figures include labour and clearing up but also leave out replastering. Treat each as a rough range, not a price list.
Is VAT included?
It depends on the guide, and on the firm. Checkatrade's damp proofing figures are given plus VAT. Ask every firm whether their quote includes it.
Are there prices for my area?
None of the guides we use publishes reliable prices for individual cities, so these are UK-wide ranges. Labour costs vary around the country, so a local quote is the only way to know.
Should I get more than one quote?
For a big job, yes. We pass your enquiry to one specialist, and you're free to compare their quote with others you find yourself.
Can I get a grant for damp proofing?
Some councils offer help with repairs for people on low incomes or with disabilities, and schemes change often. Check your council's website; we haven't listed any here because we couldn't confirm current ones.
Ask for a local damp and mould specialist
Free to use, no obligation, and your details go to one local specialist, not a list.
We're a matching service, not the firm that does the work. The specialist contacts you, looks at the problem and quotes you directly. Whether you go ahead is up to you.