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How to Pay for a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier

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How to Pay for a Crawl Space Vapor Barrier

Keep moisture out of your foundation with a smart plan to pay for your vapor barrier installation.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,800 before anything else
Across the 0% window $120.00/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,800 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

When you seal up a damp crawl space, the musty smell in your house finally goes away and your floors stop feeling clammy. The crew can usually finish laying down the heavy plastic sheeting and sealing the seams in just one or two days. Dry mid-summer months are the best time to book this work because contractors are often running seasonal promos and the ground is at its driest.

Before you commit to anyone, get at least three quotes from different local waterproofing companies. Prices for an average setup sit around $1800, but comparing bids keeps contractors honest and usually uncovers a cheaper option that still includes a solid warranty.

Remember that the intro window is a strict deadline, not free money. If you still have a remaining balance on the Discover it® Cash Back card when those 15 months run out, the card company will stick you with the deferred interest charges accrued from day one.

The steps

  1. 01

    Get three distinct quotes

    Call local crawl space or waterproofing outfits to look at your setup. Make sure every quote includes sealing the ground and running the plastic up the foundation walls just a bit so moisture cannot sneak in.

  2. 02

    Pick your installation window

    Book the work during the dry mid-summer months. Contractors have better availability then, and you will avoid the spring rush when everyone realizes their crawl space is flooded.

  3. 03

    Map out your monthly math

    Take your chosen quote, which usually hovers around $1800, and figure out what you need to pay each month. If you spread $1800 across the 15-month window, you are looking at $120.00 per month.

  4. 04

    Use your card term

    You can use the Discover it® Cash Back card since it has a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. This gives you breathing room to pay off the $1800 project over time without extra interest adding to the bill.

  5. 05

    Clear the access hatch

    Before the crew arrives, make sure the path to your crawl space door is totally clear of stored gear, old lumber, and yard debris. Crews charge extra if they have to spend their first hour digging through your clutter.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

How long does a crawl space vapor barrier last?

A thick, professionally installed polyethylene barrier can easily last 15 to 20 years if nobody tears it up by storing heavy items directly on top of it. Check it once a year to make sure the tape at the seams has not peeled up.

Do I need a sump pump with my vapor barrier?

Not always, but if your crawl space actually collects standing puddles of water when it rains, you need a pump to get that water out before the crew lays down the plastic. Otherwise, you are just trapping a lake underneath a tarp.

Can I install a vapor barrier myself to save money?

You can buy the plastic rolls at a big box store, but working in a cramped, dark crawl space is miserable, filthy work. Paying pros gets it done in a day without you breathing in mold spores or crawling through spider webs.

Will this fix high humidity in my house?

It helps a ton by stopping moisture from rising out of the dirt, but it might not solve the problem entirely. You may still need a dehumidifier down there if your area stays stubbornly humid all summer long.