In This Guide
- Why Your Contractor Choice Determines Whether Waterproofing Works
- 8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Any Contractor
- 10 Red Flags That Expose a Bad Contractor
- How to Read and Compare Waterproofing Quotes
- How to Verify Certified Applicator Status
- What a Legitimate Warranty Document Must Include
- Realistic Price Benchmarks for Delhi NCR (September 2026)
- Final Hiring Checklist
Why Your Contractor Choice Determines Whether Waterproofing Works
In Delhi NCR, waterproofing fails far more often than it should. Homeowners spend ₹50,000 to ₹3,00,000 on terrace, basement or bathroom waterproofing — and then watch it leak again in the very next monsoon. The problem is almost never the brand of material used. It is almost always who applied it and how.
After inspecting hundreds of failed waterproofing jobs across Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon and Ghaziabad, one pattern is consistent: the failure was predictable from the contractor selection stage. The contractor who won the job on lowest price skipped surface preparation, painted over cracks instead of injecting them, left the parapet junction untreated, applied the material too thin, and issued no written warranty. The homeowner had no way to know this in advance — because they did not know what questions to ask.
This guide gives you exactly that: the questions, the red flags, the quote analysis method, and the certification verification steps that separate a contractor who will deliver waterproofing that lasts from one who will be unreachable when it fails.
The core principle: The right waterproofing contractor is not the cheapest, or the most locally recommended, or the one with the most confident sales pitch. The right contractor is the one who can demonstrate — in writing, in advance — what they will do, what they will use, and what they will guarantee. Everything in this guide is designed to help you find that contractor.
8 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Any Waterproofing Contractor
Ask these questions before agreeing to any scope or price. A contractor who cannot or will not answer them clearly should not be hired regardless of how competitive their quote is.
Will you conduct a physical site inspection before providing a quote?
Any contractor who quotes over the phone, on WhatsApp, or by asking square footage without visiting the site is guessing. Waterproofing assessment requires physically inspecting the surface condition, existing failed systems, crack locations, junction details, drainage points and moisture levels. Without this information, no one can accurately specify the right system or quote the correct scope.
What a good answer sounds like: "Yes, we will visit your site first. We bring moisture meters to map the wet zones accurately before recommending anything."
Can you provide a written, itemised quotation specifying the system, brand, product name and coverage?
This is the single most important question. A written itemised quote is a contractor's commitment to a specific scope. It prevents post-start scope changes, additional charges, and the classic "this wasn't included" argument. More importantly, it forces the contractor to specify exactly what they will do — which immediately reveals whether the preparation and junction treatment are in-scope or have been quietly excluded.
What the quote must contain: Surface area (sq ft), waterproofing system name, brand and product name, number of coats, coverage per coat (sq m per litre or kg), preparation scope, junction treatment scope, warranty period.
Are you a certified or recognised applicator for the waterproofing brand you plan to use?
Dr. Fixit, Sika, Fosroc and other leading waterproofing manufacturers train and certify applicators. This certification means the applicator team has been trained on correct surface preparation standards, application technique, coverage rates and junction detailing specific to each product. Without this, a contractor is applying manufacturer's material without manufacturer's training — the brand name on the bag does not guarantee correct application.
How to verify: Ask for the recognition certificate or registration number and verify it directly with the manufacturer. Bhawani Technologies is a Dr. Fixit recognised applicator — our recognition is verifiable.
How will you prepare the surface before applying waterproofing?
Surface preparation is responsible for 40-50% of waterproofing success or failure. The correct answer involves: removal of all existing failed coatings and loose concrete; grinding or mechanical roughening of the substrate for adhesion; crack cutting and injection; cleaning with compressed air; and primer application specific to the system. If the contractor describes preparation in vague terms ("we will clean the surface") without mentioning crack treatment, that is insufficient.
Red flag response: "We will clean it and then apply the coating" — with no mention of cracks, existing failed system removal or primer.
How will you treat cracks before applying the waterproofing system?
This question separates professional contractors from surface-coating contractors instantly. Cracks must be cut open (V-cut or U-cut profile), cleaned, and filled with polyurethane or epoxy injection under pressure — not painted over. A waterproofing coat bridging a crack will fail at the first thermal cycle as the crack re-opens. PU injection fills the crack through its full depth, creating a flexible seal that moves with the structure. Any contractor who proposes to simply coat over cracks is not providing a permanent solution.
What a good answer sounds like: "All visible cracks are V-cut and filled with PU injection grouting before any coating is applied. Active or structural cracks receive epoxy injection."
How will you treat the parapet-slab junction, pipe penetrations and drain collars?
These are the three highest-risk failure points in any waterproofing system and the ones most commonly skipped by low-cost contractors. The parapet-slab junction requires a reinforced treatment — a coved fillet with embedded non-woven fabric and the waterproofing membrane turned up the parapet face minimum 300mm. Pipe penetrations require a collar of flexible sealant and reinforced membrane wrap. Drains require a drain collar treatment. Ask this question specifically and listen for these specifics in the answer.
Red flag response: "We will coat the whole area" — with no mention of specific junction detail treatment.
Will you provide a written warranty document on project completion?
This is a non-negotiable requirement. A written warranty is a contractor's financial commitment to their own work quality. It should specify the scope covered, warranty period, what constitutes a claim, and what the contractor will do (return and repair at their own cost). Verbal warranties, WhatsApp messages and informal promises are not warranties — they are unenforceable the moment a dispute arises. If a contractor will not provide a written warranty, they are communicating their own uncertainty about the quality of their work.
What to confirm: Ask to see a sample warranty document from a completed project before work begins. The format and specificity of that document tells you everything about how seriously the contractor treats their warranty obligation.
Can you provide 2-3 verifiable project references in Delhi NCR from the past 2 years?
A contractor with a genuine project portfolio in Delhi NCR should be able to provide client references who can confirm: the scope of work, the quality of the job, and whether the waterproofing has held up through monsoon seasons since completion. If a contractor cannot or will not provide references — that absence is itself informative. When you do get references, call them and ask specifically about the preparation process, cleanliness of work, punctuality, and post-job responsiveness.
What to ask references: "Did the waterproofing hold through the last monsoon? Was there any leakage? Did the contractor respond when you called after the job was done?"
10 Red Flags That Expose a Bad Waterproofing Contractor
These are the warning signs experienced waterproofing professionals recognise immediately. If you see any of these during your contractor evaluation — treat it as a serious signal to walk away.
Quotes a price on the phone without visiting the site. No accurate scope or system specification is possible without a site inspection. This quote will change after the work starts.
Cannot name the specific product they will use. "Good quality waterproofing material" is not a specification. If they cannot name the brand and product, they are either buying the cheapest material available on the day or using sub-standard alternatives.
The quotation is a single lump sum with no breakdown. Lump-sum quotes conceal what is included and excluded. Every cost-cutting measure — skipped preparation, reduced coats, untreated junctions — is hidden inside an opaque total figure.
Significantly cheaper than all other quotes. Waterproofing material and labour have a market cost. A quote 30-40% below others almost certainly excludes preparation, uses inferior material, or plans to apply a single thin coat. The short-term saving guarantees a repeat job within 2-3 years.
Arrives and begins applying material immediately with no preparation phase. If workers arrive at your terrace and start applying coating within the first hour — surface preparation has been skipped entirely. The first thing that happens on a professional waterproofing job is removal and surface work, not application.
Proposes to apply new waterproofing directly over the existing failed system. Failed waterproofing must be removed before a new system is applied. Applying over a failed system guarantees the new coat fails at the same speed as the old one.
Offers only a verbal or WhatsApp warranty. "I give you guarantee" said verbally or in a chat message is not a warranty. It is a sales technique. A contractor confident in their work issues a written document.
Cannot show a Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for the product. Every legitimate waterproofing product has a TDS specifying coverage rate, number of coats, DFT and application conditions. If the contractor cannot produce it — they either do not know or cannot share what they are actually using.
Pushes for full payment before work completion. Standard payment for waterproofing jobs in Delhi NCR is advance + upon completion, or stage-wise. Demanding full payment upfront removes all incentive to complete the job properly.
No physical office or verifiable address — only a mobile number. When waterproofing fails and you need the warranty honoured, you need to be able to locate the contractor. A contractor with no physical presence is a contractor you cannot hold accountable.
How to Read and Compare Waterproofing Quotes
When comparing quotes from multiple contractors, total price is the least informative number. The correct comparison is scope vs scope. Here is how a bad quote and a good quote differ — using a terrace waterproofing example:
Waterproofing work for terrace
Area: as discussed
Material: Dr. Fixit waterproofing
Labour included
Total: ₹25,000
Warranty: 5 years (verbal)
Surface area: 800 sq ft
System: Dr. Fixit Roofseal APP Membrane 4mm
Surface prep: Remove existing screed, crack V-cut & PU injection
Primer: Dr. Fixit Primeseal @ 1 coat
Membrane: 4mm APP torch-applied, 2 layers at junctions
Junction: Reinforced fabric at parapet + 300mm upstand
Drain treatment: Drain collar sealant all 3 drains
Rate: ₹55/sq ft = ₹44,000
Warranty: 10 years written document on completion
The bad quote gives you no way to verify whether preparation, junction treatment or drain treatment are included. The good quote tells you exactly what will happen on site, allows you to verify material specifications against the TDS, and gives you a written basis for any warranty claim.
Important: When comparing quotes, always compare them at the same scope. Ask each contractor: "Does your quote include crack injection, junction treatment and written warranty?" Add these line items to any quote that has excluded them to get a true like-for-like comparison. A quote that looks ₹10,000 cheaper often becomes more expensive once scope is equalised.
How to Verify Certified Applicator Status
Brand certification is a meaningful quality indicator in the waterproofing industry — but only when it is genuine and current. Here is what it means for the leading brands, and how to verify it:
| Brand | Certification Programme | What It Means | How to Verify |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Fixit (Pidilite) | Dr. Fixit Recognised Applicator | Applicator team trained and tested by Pidilite on product application standards | Ask for certificate; verify with local Dr. Fixit territory manager |
| Sika | Sika Certified Contractor | Trained on Sika system specifications and application quality standards | Ask for Sika contractor ID; verify via Sika India website |
| Fosroc | Fosroc Approved Applicator | Trained applicator for Fosroc construction chemical systems | Request approval documentation and verify with Fosroc India |
Important: Anyone can buy Dr. Fixit or Sika products from a construction chemical distributor. The brand on the bag does not indicate certification — the contractor's recognition certificate does. Always ask for it and verify independently.
Bhawani Technologies is a Dr. Fixit recognised applicator. Our recognition is current and verifiable through Pidilite Industries. When you hire us, you are getting Dr. Fixit materials applied by a team that has been trained and tested by Dr. Fixit — not a team that bought the product from a shop.
What a Legitimate Waterproofing Warranty Document Must Include
A warranty is only as useful as what is written in it. These are the six components that must appear in any warranty document you accept from a waterproofing contractor:
- Exact scope definition. The warranty must specify which surface was waterproofed, which system was used, and the area covered in sq ft. A warranty that says "all waterproofing work" without specifics is unenforceable — what was "all waterproofing work" again when there is a dispute two years later?
- Warranty period. Stated clearly in years from the date of project completion. Standard periods: APP membrane — 10 years; PU coating — 7-8 years; polymer cementitious — 5 years. If the contractor offers less than 5 years on any professional system — ask why.
- Definition of a warranty claim. The document must state what constitutes a claim — specifically: "water ingress through the waterproofed area under normal conditions." This prevents disputes about what counts and what does not.
- Contractor's obligations on a valid claim. What will they do? Return to site within how many days? Repair at whose cost? The document must state this explicitly. "We will fix it" is not a warranty term.
- Conditions that void the warranty. Structural damage beyond normal movement, third-party modification of the waterproofed area, or damage from events excluded from the scope. These exclusions must be specific and reasonable — a contractor who lists every conceivable exclusion is limiting their own liability, not protecting yours.
- Contractor contact details. Name of the company, physical address, phone number, email. A warranty you cannot enforce because the contractor has disappeared is not a warranty — it is a piece of paper.
Realistic Price Benchmarks for Delhi NCR (September 2026)
Use these figures to sanity-check quotes. A quote significantly below the lower bound of any range should prompt you to ask what has been excluded. A quote above the upper bound should come with a clear justification (premium system, difficult access, larger scope).
| Service | System | Rate Range | Typical Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrace Waterproofing | APP Bituminous Membrane (4mm) | ₹55 – ₹80 / sq ft | 10 years written |
| Terrace Waterproofing | PU Liquid Coating + UV Protection | ₹45 – ₹70 / sq ft | 7–8 years written |
| Bathroom Leakage Repair | PU Injection + Crystalline | ₹8,000 – ₹30,000 / bathroom | 5 years written |
| Basement Waterproofing | Crystalline Treatment | ₹75 – ₹130 / sq ft | 10–15 years written |
| Crack Injection Grouting | PU / Epoxy Injection | ₹200 – ₹600 / linear ft | 5 years written |
| External Wall Treatment | Elastomeric Masonry Coating | ₹20 – ₹50 / sq ft | 5 years written |
These rates reflect September 2026 Delhi NCR market pricing for professional, warranty-backed work with correct preparation and junction treatment. For a detailed cost breakdown of terrace waterproofing, read our honest price guide for Delhi 2026.
Final Hiring Checklist: Before You Sign Anything
Run through this checklist before committing to any waterproofing contractor in Delhi NCR. Every item should be confirmed — not assumed.
- Contractor physically inspected the site with moisture meters before quoting
- Written itemised quotation received specifying system, brand, product, area, coats and rate per sq ft
- Preparation scope stated explicitly — crack treatment, existing system removal, primer
- Junction treatment (parapet, pipe penetrations, drains) listed as in-scope
- Contractor is a certified/recognised applicator for the specified brand — certificate verified
- TDS (Technical Data Sheet) available for the specified product — coverage rate confirmed
- Sample warranty document reviewed — all 6 warranty components present
- At least 2 verifiable project references contacted and confirmed
- Contractor has a physical office address — not just a mobile number
- Payment terms are advance + on completion — not full upfront
- Accepted a lump-sum quote without itemised breakdown
- Agreed based on lowest price without comparing scope
- Accepted a verbal or informal warranty
- Did not ask about crack treatment or junction detailing
- Did not verify certified applicator status independently
Related Guides & Services
- Terrace Waterproofing Delhi - Professional APP membrane and PU coating services with written warranty
- Roof Leakage Repair Delhi - Emergency and permanent roof repair across Delhi NCR
- Basement Waterproofing Delhi - Crystalline and membrane systems for below-grade seepage
- Bathroom Waterproofing Delhi - No-tile-breaking bathroom slab waterproofing
- Why Waterproofing Fails in Delhi NCR - The 9 causes of waterproofing failure and how to avoid each
- Top 7 Reasons for Water Leakage in Homes - Diagnose your specific leakage type before calling anyone
- Terrace Waterproofing Cost Delhi 2026 - Honest per sq ft pricing breakdown
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What should I ask a waterproofing contractor before hiring them?The 8 most important questions: Will you do a physical site inspection before quoting? Can you provide a written itemised quotation? Are you a certified applicator for the brand you use? How will you treat cracks — injection or coating over? How will you treat the parapet junction and pipe penetrations? Will you provide a written warranty document? Can you show project references in Delhi NCR? What dry film thickness is specified? A contractor who cannot clearly answer questions 2, 3, 6 and 8 should not be hired.
-
What is a Dr. Fixit recognised applicator and why does it matter?Dr. Fixit (Pidilite Industries) trains and certifies applicators who have been tested on correct product application, surface preparation and junction detailing. Recognition means the contractor applies materials per manufacturer specification — not guesswork. Without certification, a contractor can buy Dr. Fixit products from any distributor and apply them incorrectly. The brand name alone does not guarantee correct application. Always ask for the recognition certificate and verify independently.
-
How do I know if a waterproofing quote is fair in Delhi NCR?A fair quote specifies: system name, brand and product; total area in sq ft; preparation scope; number of coats; coverage per coat; and warranty period. September 2026 benchmarks: terrace APP membrane Rs 55-80/sq ft; PU coating Rs 45-70/sq ft; bathroom repair Rs 8,000-30,000; basement crystalline Rs 75-130/sq ft. A quote significantly below these almost certainly excludes preparation or uses inferior material. Always compare scope, not just total price.
-
What should a waterproofing warranty cover?A legitimate warranty must include: exact scope (which surface, which system, sq ft area); warranty period in years; definition of a claim (water ingress through waterproofed area); contractor's obligation on a valid claim (return and repair at their cost); conditions that void warranty; and contractor's physical address and contact details. A verbal warranty or WhatsApp message is not enforceable. If a contractor will not issue a written document — that tells you everything about their confidence in their own work.
-
How many quotes should I get before hiring?Get a minimum of 3 quotes — but only from contractors who physically inspect the site first. Phone quotes are not comparable. When comparing, equalise the scope: ask each contractor whether crack injection, junction treatment and written warranty are included. The cheapest quote after scope equalisation is usually not the cheapest contractor. Waterproofing that fails in 2 years and needs to be redone always costs more than doing it right the first time.
-
Can I use a local painter or mason for waterproofing?No. Waterproofing is a specialist trade. A painter or mason can apply a waterproof paint — but waterproof paint is not a waterproofing system and cannot resist the hydrostatic pressure of a flat terrace, bathroom slab saturation or basement groundwater. Professional waterproofing requires understanding the leakage cause, selecting the correct system, proper surface preparation (including crack injection), and applying material to manufacturer-specified thickness. These are specialist skills that general trades do not have.
How Bhawani Technologies Meets Every Criterion on This List
We built this guide based on the standards we apply to our own work — because these standards are the reason our waterproofing holds up through Delhi NCR's extreme conditions while many competitors' work fails within one monsoon season.
- Free on-site inspection with moisture meters before any quote is issued
- Written itemised quotation — system name, brand, product, coats, sq ft rate, preparation scope
- Dr. Fixit recognised applicator — certification is current and verifiable
- All cracks cut and PU injected before any coating is applied — never painted over
- Parapet junction, all pipe penetrations and drains treated with reinforced detail — standard on every project
- Written warranty document issued on project completion — not verbal
- Physical office: Rc-67, 2nd Floor, Vandana Enclave, Khora Colony, Ghaziabad - 201301
- 10+ years, 500+ projects across Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Faridabad
To book a free site inspection, call +91-9555808158 or visit our contact page. We cover terrace waterproofing, roof leakage repair, basement waterproofing, bathroom waterproofing and all related services across Delhi NCR.