French Drain Installation Cost Calculator2026
Estimate French drain and perimeter drainage cost by run length, drain type (exterior, interior, or yard surface), excavation depth factor, optional sump pump, landscaping repair scope, and labor scaled to depth and region.
Project Details
Total estimated cost
$5,020
Cost Breakdown
Cost Distribution
Data sources: Base costs derived from national industry cost surveys and contractor pricing data, adjusted with BLS inflation indices, Census housing/income signals, and FRED CSV fallback when BLS data is temporarily unavailable. Latest index refresh: May 2026.
Disclaimer: Estimates are approximate and for informational purposes only. Actual costs vary based on project complexity, contractor rates, material availability, and local market conditions. Always obtain multiple quotes from licensed contractors before starting a project.
Typical Project Cost by Drain configuration
National average pricingSame default project size (default scope), priced across each material tier.
| Tier | Material rate | Total project | Installed per lf |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior perimeter | $44.82 | $5,020 | $63 |
| Interior perimeter | $54.78 | $5,817 | $73 |
| Yard / surface drain | $34.86 | $4,223 | $53 |
Material rates reflect the latest BLS construction PPI adjustment. Installed totals include labor and supplies but exclude permits and any tear-out beyond the calculator's default scope.
Recent Cost Trends
Wholesale construction prices typically lead homeowner-facing quotes by 2–4 months. Use the trend below to decide whether to pull a project forward or wait for the next reading.
Residential Construction PPI — Trailing 12 Months
BLS series PCU236211236211, single-family construction producer prices.
200.4
+4.2% vs Apr 25
The PPI is the wholesale price of materials and labor that contractors pay, before margin. A rising index usually flows into homeowner quotes within 2–4 months. Use this trend to decide whether to pull a project forward or wait.
French Drain Installation Cost by City
Browse all 202 cities by state
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Minnesota
Mississippi
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Vermont
West Virginia
Wyoming
Typical Cost Snapshot
For a typical french drain installation scenario in the national baseline, this calculator currently models a total around $5,020, or about $63 per linear foot.
This market is currently modeled close to the national baseline, so project swings are more likely to come from scope and finish choices than from regional pricing alone.
Local labor conditions, permit timing, and finish selection all influence how this project prices in your market.
Low / Mid / High Project Scenarios
Low Scenario
$1,588$53 per linear foot
Short yard drain at standard depth with no sump pump or landscape repair.
Mid Scenario
$5,534$69 per linear foot
Exterior perimeter drain at standard depth with moderate landscape repair.
High Scenario
$28,955$145 per linear foot
Long interior perimeter drain at deep excavation with battery backup sump and full landscape restore.
What Changes the Estimate Most?
- Drain length and trench depth create the widest price spread between a short surface drain and a full perimeter system.
- Soil type, utility crossings, and landscape restoration are the main reasons french-drain labor varies significantly between sites.
- Sump-pump tie-ins, channel drains, and waterproof membrane additions are the extras that most often expand a french-drain estimate.
When This Calculator Is Less Accurate
This calculator is less accurate when the project includes interior perimeter systems, sump-pump integration, heavy clay excavation, or landscape restoration beyond a standard exterior french-drain installation.
Use the result as a budgeting starting point, then validate with local contractor quotes if the scope includes specialty materials, hidden damage, or permit-driven design changes.
How Much Does French Drain Installation Cost?
French drains and perimeter drainage systems often total roughly $2,000–15,000 depending on how many linear feet you treat, whether the pipe runs inside or outside the foundation, how deep crews must dig, and whether you add a sump and landscape restoration.
Cost Factors:
- Interior perimeter systems usually cost more per foot than yard drains because of concrete cutting, dust control, and discharge routing
- Depth and soil type (clay, rock, or high water table) drive machine vs hand digging time and shoring needs
- Discharge daylighting, dry wells, or tie-ins to storm sewers change pipe sizing, cleanouts, and permitting
- Sump pumps become necessary when gravity outlets are not lower than the slab or crawl floor you are protecting
- Restoring sod, mulch beds, or hardscape after trenching is easy to underestimate on long exterior runs
Frequently Asked Questions (3)
What is a French drain used for?
It collects groundwater or surface runoff in a perforated pipe buried in gravel, then routes water away from foundations, yards, or basements. It is a common fix for soggy lawns and hydrostatic pressure against basement walls.
Interior vs exterior French drain—which costs more?
Interior perimeter drains typically carry higher per-foot pricing because of slab work, debris handling, and finished-space protection. Exterior systems can be cheaper per foot but may require more landscaping repair.
Will I need a sump pump with a French drain?
Only if there is no gravity outlet lower than the area being drained. Crawl spaces and basements often need a sump and pump to lift water to daylight or a storm connection.
Data sources & methodology
Estimates blend national base costs, the BLS residential construction PPI, regional and direct metro CPI series, BLS OEWS state labor wages, and U.S. Census ACS housing signals. Market data refreshed May 2026. Expect ±15–30% spread vs an actual contractor quote.
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