By Johnny Flynn
ProMatcher’s French Drain Cost Report is designed to help you learn about the cost of installing a french drain. Use this guide to get pricing information about french drain installation and replacement. You will see that installation costs may vary significantly from city to city. Use our free matching service to request free price quotes from local cleaning companies.
What is a French Drain?
A french drain (which may also be called a curtain drain, perimeter drain, or a footing drain) helps to direct water from your home's foundation. This helps to keep your basement dry, while protecting the structural integrity of your home. In many cases, an exterior french drain is just a sloped, gravel-filled trench with a PVC pipe that helps to move water in the right direction. Installing an interior french drain is a little bit more complicated. The drainage system is usually installed underneath the basement floors and a sump pump helps to move the water out of your home.
You may need to put in a french drain if:
- You have a wet basement or a basement that floods frequently
- You have a "soggy yard" or water pools on parts of your lawn when it rains
- You usually have standing water on your driveway during a rainstorm
How Much Does a French Drain Cost?
On average, it costs about
$16.00 to $47.00 per linear foot install an exterior french drain. This typically covers the cost of labor, materials, and equipment rental fees. However, the cost may vary based on a number of different factors including the length of the drain pipe and the unique site conditions. This ballpark estimate is based on research completed by our team, as well as pricing information collected from contractors around the country.
| Average Cost to Install a French Drain |
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| Charlotte, NC | $18.55 - $20.32 per linear foot | | Chicago, IL | $23.26 - $25.48 per linear foot | | Columbus, OH | $18.31 - $20.06 per linear foot | | Houston, TX | $18.35 - $20.10 per linear foot | | Indianapolis, IN | $17.35 - $19.01 per linear foot | | Jacksonville, FL | $18.49 - $20.25 per linear foot | | Los Angeles, CA | $27.18 - $29.78 per linear foot | | New York, NY | $43.12 - $47.24 per linear foot | | Philadelphia, PA | $25.17 - $27.58 per linear foot | | San Antonio, TX | $19.04 - $20.86 per linear foot | | San Diego, CA | $26.33 - $28.84 per linear foot | | Seattle, WA | $24.16 - $26.47 per linear foot | | Free French Drains Cost Estimates |
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Factors Impacting the Cost of French Drain Installation
► 1. Your geographic location
Prices can vary significantly by region. Labor costs, in particular, will can vary greatly - even within the same state. For example, the cost to install a french drain in Brooklyn, NY may be very different than the cost in Buffalo, NY. Overall, wages tend to be higher in major cities where the cost of living is well above the national average.
► 2. Exterior or interior french drains
Interior french drain can be much more expensive than exterior french drains. These projects tend to be more labor-intensive and they may require additional equipment and materials. For example, you may also need to install a sump pump or additional basement waterproofing.
► 3. Length of drain
French drain installers typically quote jobs by the linear foot. The longer the drain, the more you can expect to spend.
► 4. Trench depth
Most exterior french drains will have a trench that is about 3 feet deep. Interior french drains usually require deeper trenches. This additional excavation work may increase the cost of the job.
► 5. Equipment required
What type of equipment does the job require? Can the trenches be dug by hand? For larger projects, it may be more efficient to use a backhoe excavator.
► 6. Permitting
Putting in a french drain may require a permit in some areas. If this is the case, you will be responsible for any additional permit inspection fees.
Last Updated: February 15, 2022
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02139, Cambridge, Massachusetts - May 25, 2021
Dry Well Installation and Construction$2,868.80 to $3,912.00 for standard concrete drywell
Cost estimate considers labor for drywell construction. Price estimate includes excavating soil, installing a concrete drywell (700 gallon capacity), trench digging, laying pipes, and spreading gravel. Does not include soil analysis, perc test, cost of permits, and larger dry wells.
Reported by:
ProMatcher Research Team
See the Cambridge French Drains Cost Report
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62703, Springfield, Illinois - February 26, 2020
French Drain Installation$17.07 to $18.70 per linear foot (exterior drain)
This cost includes french drain installation. Price does include trench excavation, perforated piping, backfill material, and equipment rental. Estimate does not account for re-landscaping, sump pumps, indoor drains, dry well installation, and decorative grates.
Reported by:
ProMatcher Research Team
See the Springfield French Drains Cost Report
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07722, Colts Neck, New Jersey - May 25, 2021
Dry Well Installation and Construction$2,745.60 to $3,744.00 for standard concrete drywell
Price range takes into account dry well installation labor. Does include excavating, digging trench, pre-cast concrete 700-gallon drywell, laying gravel, and installing necessary pipes. Cost does not include construction permits, percolation test, or oversized drywells.
Reported by:
ProMatcher Research Team
See the Colts Neck French Drains Cost Report
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98225, Bellingham, Washington - May 25, 2021
Dry Well Installation and Construction$2,486.00 to $3,390.00 for standard concrete drywell
Includes manhours for drywell construction. Cost takes into account excavating soil, installing a concrete drywell (700 gallon capacity), trench digging, laying pipes, and spreading gravel. Additional charge for soil analysis, perc test, cost of permits, and larger dry wells.
Reported by:
ProMatcher Research Team
See the Bellingham French Drains Cost Report
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01101, Springfield, Massachusetts - February 26, 2020
French Drain Installation$22.45 to $24.59 per linear foot (exterior drain)
Includes the cost of french drain installation labor. Price accounts for trench excavation, perforated piping, backfill material, and equipment rental. Items excluded: re-landscaping, sump pumps, indoor drains, dry well installation, and decorative grates.
Reported by:
ProMatcher Research Team
See the Springfield French Drains Cost Report
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91793, West Covina, California - May 25, 2021
Dry Well Installation and Construction$2,756.60 to $3,759.00 for standard concrete drywell
Price includes manhours for drywell construction. Also includes excavating soil, installing a concrete drywell (700 gallon capacity), trench digging, laying pipes, and spreading gravel. Cost estimate excludes soil analysis, perc test, cost of permits, and larger dry wells.
Reported by:
ProMatcher Research Team
See the West Covina French Drains Cost Report
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27360, Thomasville, North Carolina - February 26, 2020
French Drain Installation$17.75 to $19.45 per linear foot (exterior drain)
This is an estimated cost for french drain installation. Items included: trench excavation, perforated piping, backfill material, and equipment rental. Price excludes re-landscaping, sump pumps, indoor drains, dry well installation, and decorative grates.
Reported by:
ProMatcher Research Team
See the Thomasville French Drains Cost Report
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32601, Gainesville, Florida - May 25, 2021
Dry Well Installation and Construction$2,195.60 to $2,994.00 for standard concrete drywell
Cost estimate range considers dry well installation labor. Accounts for the price of mid-size, concrete dry well (700 gallons), excavation, trenching, gravel, and piping materials. Items excluded: construction permits, percolation test, or oversized drywells.
Reported by:
ProMatcher Research Team
See the Gainesville French Drains Cost Report
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