--- title: The Costly Trap of Waterproofing By Others (And How To Avoid It) description: It may look harmless; but don't be fooled. 'Waterproofing by others' has drawbacks - and could cause issues for your project. Find out why... image: https://insights.premcrete.com/hubfs/G98A6479.jpg --- #### Insights # The Costly Trap of Waterproofing By Others (And How To Avoid It) - - - - [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20article:%20the-costly-trap-of-waterproofing-by-others-and-how-to-avoid-it](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20article:%20the-costly-trap-of-waterproofing-by-others-and-how-to-avoid-it) - Michaela Rowland | September 8, 2025 #### The Phrase That Costs Projects Millions On structural drawings, it looks harmless: *"Waterproofing by others."* But in reality? That single line sets projects up for: - Confusion on site - Delays in design + procurement  - Compliance risks at Gateway 2 It's not a note. It's a red flag. #### The Hidden Costs of Late Decisions Leaving waterproofing vague causes a cascade of financial pain: - Rushed procurement  → over spec to stay "safe" - Late design changes → reinforcement + joint rework  - On-site delays → groundworkers waiting for clarity  A package worth ~2-3% of project value suddenly derails the programme and budget.  ![G98A6479](https://insights.premcrete.com/hs-fs/hubfs/G98A6479.jpg?width=6720&height=4480&name=G98A6479.jpg) #### The Liability Grey Zone  When waterproofing is marked by "others", no one knows who owns: - Design liability - Warranties - PI coverage  The grey area can turn into real professional risk for engineers and contractors alike.  #### The Building Safety Act Factor Under Gateway 2, vague notations won't fly. Regulators demand: - Detailed, defensible specifications  - Clear allocation of responsibility  - Qualified, insured design input "By others" = rejection, delays and compliance headaches.  #### The Fix: Early Engagement The antidote is simple: - Involve **CSSW-qualified designers** at RIBA Stage 2 - Integrate waterproofing into drawings from the start - Allocate **clear design responsibility** - Back it with **PI cover & warranties** Early clarity prevents late chaos.  #### Premcrete's Early Engagement Model We designed our process to eliminate the trap: - Feasibility input at **concept stage** - Integrated designs at **RIBA 2-3** - Full design liability, backed by **£10M PI insurance** - **Gateway 2-ready documentation **regulators approve  This keeps waterproofing tight, compliant and controlled.  ![pledge graphic](https://insights.premcrete.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pledge%20graphic.png?width=3424&height=1623&name=pledge%20graphic.png) #### Guidance for Project Teams To avoid the trap: - Scrap generic notes - Engage specialists early  - Confirm liability + PI cover upfront - Demand CSSW-qualified design  #### Protecting Complex Structures Starts Early  Waterproofing is one of the top causes of failure in below-ground construction. But it's also one of the preventable.  Stop leaving it "to others." Lock it in early, protect your project, your programme, and your reputation.  Engage us early for integrated design and clear responsibility: [projects@premcrete.com](mailto:projects@premcrete.com)          [facebook-f icon ](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556750189067) [youtube icon ](https://www.youtube.com/@premcreteltd/videos) [linkedin icon ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/premcrete-ltd/) ### Posts By Topics - [Insights (48)](https://insights.premcrete.com/tag/insights) - [Structural Waterproofing (11)](https://insights.premcrete.com/tag/structural-waterproofing) - [Gas protection systems (7)](https://insights.premcrete.com/tag/gas-protection-systems) - [Waterproofing membranes (4)](https://insights.premcrete.com/tag/waterproofing-membranes) - [waterproofing (4)](https://insights.premcrete.com/tag/waterproofing) - [Ground heave solutions (3)](https://insights.premcrete.com/tag/ground-heave-solutions) - [Civil Infrastructure Repair (1)](https://insights.premcrete.com/tag/civil-infrastructure-repair) [see all](https://insights.premcrete.com/the-costly-trap-of-waterproofing-by-others-and-how-to-avoid-it#) ### Latest articles [AI & Digital Twins: Inside The Shift Towards Smarter Basement Waterproofing Design](https://insights.premcrete.com/ai-digital-twins-inside-the-shift-towards-smarter-basement-waterproofing-design) [Understanding Waterproofing Compliance: Testing, Certification and Design Responsibility](https://insights.premcrete.com/understanding-waterproofing-compliance-testing-certification-and-design-responsibility) [How to Make Concrete Waterproof in Civil Engineering Projects](https://insights.premcrete.com/how-to-make-concrete-waterproof-in-civil-engineering-projects) [Introducing Premtrac 2.0: Built for Compliance, Built for Confidence](https://insights.premcrete.com/introducing-premtrac-2.0-built-for-compliance-built-for-confidence) [Retrofit Basement Waterproofing: Bringing Modern Protection to Older Structures](https://insights.premcrete.com/retrofit-basement-waterproofing-bringing-modern-protection-to-older-structures) ### Subscribe to our blog This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ## More Insights [![Understanding Waterproofing Compliance: Testing, Certification and Design Responsibility](https://insights.premcrete.com/hubfs/Premcrete%20Images-303.jpg) ](https://insights.premcrete.com/understanding-waterproofing-compliance-testing-certification-and-design-responsibility) ## [Understanding Waterproofing Compliance: Testing, Certification and Design Responsibility](https://insights.premcrete.com/understanding-waterproofing-compliance-testing-certification-and-design-responsibility) [Read more](https://insights.premcrete.com/understanding-waterproofing-compliance-testing-certification-and-design-responsibility) [![How to Make Concrete Waterproof in Civil Engineering Projects](https://insights.premcrete.com/hubfs/Premcrete%20Images-234.jpg) ](https://insights.premcrete.com/how-to-make-concrete-waterproof-in-civil-engineering-projects) ## [How to Make Concrete Waterproof in Civil Engineering Projects](https://insights.premcrete.com/how-to-make-concrete-waterproof-in-civil-engineering-projects) [Read more](https://insights.premcrete.com/how-to-make-concrete-waterproof-in-civil-engineering-projects) [![Introducing Premtrac 2.0: Built for Compliance, Built for Confidence](https://insights.premcrete.com/hubfs/image002.jpg) ](https://insights.premcrete.com/introducing-premtrac-2.0-built-for-compliance-built-for-confidence) ## [Introducing Premtrac 2.0: Built for Compliance, Built for Confidence](https://insights.premcrete.com/introducing-premtrac-2.0-built-for-compliance-built-for-confidence) [Read more](https://insights.premcrete.com/introducing-premtrac-2.0-built-for-compliance-built-for-confidence) [![Retrofit Basement Waterproofing: Bringing Modern Protection to Older Structures](https://insights.premcrete.com/hubfs/Taxi%20House-9.jpg) ](https://insights.premcrete.com/retrofit-basement-waterproofing-bringing-modern-protection-to-older-structures) ## [Retrofit Basement Waterproofing: Bringing Modern Protection to Older Structures](https://insights.premcrete.com/retrofit-basement-waterproofing-bringing-modern-protection-to-older-structures) [Read more](https://insights.premcrete.com/retrofit-basement-waterproofing-bringing-modern-protection-to-older-structures) [![The Future of Waterproofing Isn’t Passive. 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