Thanks RES2, there isn't enough of a grade but we're building a retaining wall so we can have steps down to a door. Perimeter footing drain sounds like a good idea.

The project is located on Cape Cod. Would you recommend the added expense of Tuff N Dri w/ Tremco?

Thanks again!

What part of the Cape? I would not design a foundation without Tuff N Dri. Used it for 30 years in MA. Tuff N Dri is the waterproofing. Tremco is the manufacturer. Originally made by Koch.

The insulation can be polystyrene board or rigid fiberglass board (Warm N Dri). The savings from not brushing or trowing dampproofing (which is utterly worthless) should offset the cost; Tuff N Dri goes on fast.

You'll probably need a basement sump pump.

I built one home on an ancient lakefront--Lake Iroquois. Not sure of the sand's bearing capacity, I called in a soils engineer. Just wider footings and I was fine. He added that it was a shame the city required weepers as all they would do is impede drainage.

The one drawback to spray-on coatings is that they will not bridge cracks that might develop. So it would be cheap insurance to add a plastic dimple membrane as well. Rigid fibreglass board, which I have used on foundation repairs, would serve the same purpose plus add insulation value.

You should move. Serious.

Hopefully the foundation will be poured in place concrete. Tuff N Dri will span concrete shrinkage cracks.

Here are the crack bridging specs for Tuff N Dri:

I used Bituthene peel and stick. Local codes are making you install insulation, right?

A Bituthene self-adhering membrane is expensive and time consuming to install and it requires a water based primer on concrete. I've used it for an underground library space and a vehicular pass through above it for a college dormitory where expense was not a concern.

In MA either the foundation wall or the floor above the basement must be insulated.

Thanks again @res2architect. Thanks to you I have someone who is going to apply the Tuff n Dri after we pour the walls.

Now the question I'm wrestling with is the exterior drain. It's going to be around $5K with the plastics, gravel, pit for the water to drain, etc. We're backfilling with septic sand so some people think I can get away with that but I'm hoping to have this house in the family forever.

The guy doing the foundation said he would do it "if he had the money" Curious to get your thoughts and thanks for the rec on the insulation, too.

I'm not sure what you're asking. Are they telling you you don't need a drain?

Yes, they are saying I don't need a drain.

Without seeing the soil and topography I can't tell you what to do but I bet the contractor will not pay for adding interior drains if he is wrong. I always take the cheap insurance.

Thanks, all. We're moving forward with the perimeter drain with a dry well.

Tuff N Dri will span concrete shrinkage cracks.

Up to 1/8".

Which is why I use a plastic membrane instead. And why custom builders in our area use the membranes in addition to other materials.