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How Much Does a French Drain Cost? [2025 Data]
Normal Range: $500 - $18,000
A French drain costs $500 to $18,000, with a national average of $9,250. The type of drain and its length determine total cost.
How we get this data
Photo: Nankirkpatrick / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Photo: Nankirkpatrick / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Highlights
The linear footage of drain pipe you need and the type of French drain you choose will affect your costs more than any other factor.
Obstructions like patios, decks, pools, and other landscaping features can add thousands to your total.
You’ll pay between $10 and $100 per linear foot, averaging $45.
Always have a professional design your system, as it’s easy to miss problem areas that could lead to ongoing flooding and moisture issues.
Installing a French drain costs $500 to $18,000, with a national average of $9,250. On average, you can expect to pay $10 to $100 per linear foot, or between $500 and $5,000 to have a 50-foot French drain installed.
The final price will depend on several factors, including drain type and size, location, labor, and any permits you might need. Explore potential cost factors before budgeting for your French drain.
Angi Tip
A french drain provides a sunken channel for water to disperse into the soil surrounding your home. Installing this type of system requires digging a trench and hooking up pipe connections, among other tasks, so it's best to hire a professional french drain installation company for this project.
French Drain Installation Cost Factors
French drains come in a few different types and sizes. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of labor and the unique layout of your home—all of which impact your bottom line. Before having a French drain installed, here are some cost factors to consider.
Drain Size and Type
Two of the major factors that affect the cost of French drain installation are size and type. Bigger French drains cost more from both a material and labor standpoint. A standard-sized pipe fitting for most residential French drains is 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Expect to pay $10 to $100 per linear foot for your project, depending on depth, length, and material costs.
Common types of French drains are interior, exterior, curtain, deep, and yard trench. You can expect to pay the most for interior drains, while curtain drains are often the most inexpensive option.
| French Drain Type | Average Cost Per Linear Square Foot | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Interior | $40–$100 | $5,000–$18,000 |
| Exterior | $10–$50 | $500–$10,000 |
| Curtain | $10–$25 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Yard trench | $30–$90 | $2,000–$10,000 |
| Deep french | $30–$70 | $2,000–$10,000 |
Location
Where you choose to have your French drain installed can also affect your total cost. Because installing interior French drains often requires concrete removal, you’ll usually pay more than for exterior French drains, which are trenches dug into a yard or near a crawl space. If your home is located on a hill or rocks and other obstacles must be moved prior to installation, you may pay more for labor.
| Location | Average Cost Per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Yard | $20–$30 |
| Driveway | $45–$55 |
| Garage | $50–$60 |
| Basement | $60–$70 |
| Crawl space | $25–$35 |
| Patio | $25–$40 |
| Sidewalk | $30–$50 |
| Deck | $35–$45 |
| Retaining wall | $25–$50 |
| House | $50–$80 |
Labor
You should call a local French drain installation company for this job. Landscapers and some plumbers may also handle the installation of French drains. A fee of $50 to $100 per hour for this type of work is considered standard, although plumbers may charge more.
Permits
Many states require building permits for any type of drainage system, whether it’s external or internal. $50 to $200 (a one-time fee) for a permit to build French drains in or around your home is pretty standard.
Additional Costs to Consider
In addition to the main costs we’ve discussed, there are additional costs you might want to account for when installing a French drain.
| Additional Cost | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Inspection | $100–$300 |
| Soil | $50–$100 per hour |
| Sump pump installation | $500–$2,000 |
| Landscaping repair | $100–$200 |
| Irrigation ditch installation | $0.50–$1 per square foot |
| Retaining wall installation | $3,000–$10,000 |
Inspection Costs
On top of state or county permits, you may need to hire an inspector to check out your drainage project once it’s complete, even if you do the installation yourself. Check with your local office before digging. Inspection can cost from $100 to $300 when preparing to have your French drain installed.
Digging deeply into your yard in any capacity can also be dangerous if you're unsure of electrical, gas, or water main lines. Always call 811 (Dig Safe) before you dig.
Soil Content
Rich, moist soil that’s easy to dig makes DIY or contractor-installed French drains a pretty simple project. However, certain types of soil, like clay, can pose a challenge.
It’s not impossible to install French drains into soil with high clay content, but it’s much more difficult. While you’ll usually pay $50 to $100 per hour, labor costs will be higher if excavation in your yard is difficult.
Sump Pump Installation
In a home where flooding is persistent, some homeowners might choose to install a sump pump in conjunction with their new French drains. The sump pump collects the channeled water and removes it from the home. Sump pump installations cost $500 to $2,000 on average.
Landscaping Repair
Do you have to remove an old tree or dig up grass to install your drains? This may also require you to hire a local landscaper to replace grass or plant new bushes where old obstacles were removed. The average cost for landscaping work is about $140, but varies greatly depending on the scope of the project.
Irrigation Ditch Installation
In some cases, connecting an irrigation ditch to your new French drains can channel water that might end up in your home to existing water sources nearby, such as a stream.
A local irrigation system specialist can give you a quote on how much your specific project might cost. On average, irrigation ditch installation costs $0.50 to $1 per square foot.
Retaining Wall Installation
Sometimes French drain projects are done in conjunction with a retaining wall. This is common when building a driveway (or extending an existing one) to prevent water buildup from damaging your new wall. Quotes on these projects are highly specific to the work that needs to be done. However, installing a retaining wall costs anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 on average.
Why You Should Hire a French Drain Installation Pro
French drain installation is considered a structural engineering project that often has strict code, permit, and environmental requirements. Aside from the complexity of this project, the risk for improper installation leaves your property vulnerable to flooding that could cause foundation issues for your home. While hiring a French drain installation pro near you brings the labor portion of this project's budget to 60 to 70%, the investment is more than worth the peace of mind.
Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a French drain installation pro
Without experience, there's a risk you could hit underground utility lines.
Incorrect placement of a drain could direct water runoff toward your home.
French drain installers have the experience and tools to correct an improper slope, ensuring proper flow and drainage.
Professionals also understand how to utilize specialized materials, such as fabric filters, gravel, and perforated pipes, to prevent clogs and extend the longevity of your drain system.
If you want to DIY a French drain installation
To reduce overall project costs, consider taking care of these smaller tasks on your own:
Removing trees, shrubs, tall grass, or rocks from the area where the drain will be installed.
Reseeding the grass in the area that has been trenched to create your French drain.
Adding a dry creek bed using river rocks.
Landscaping with water-loving plants around the drain.
How to Save on Costs to Install a French Drain
1. Keep Your Dirt
Some landscapers or excavation companies will remove the dirt when they dig your trench. This could wind up costing you more, as you’ll need to have new dirt brought in to replace the grass or bare patches created. Designate an area for workers to place the dirt so you can replace it yourself later.
2. Tackle What You Can DIY
Installing French drains isn’t just about digging a trench and inserting PVC, especially when other projects are being done at the same time (a sump pump installation, retaining wall project, etc.). Work with your contractor to divvy up the project—you’ll save money by completing certain tasks DIY.
3. Consider Installing Curtain Drains
Because curtain drains are built using a more shallow trench than traditional French drains, labor costs are lower. You may be able to save a couple hundred to $1,000 dollars by opting for curtain drains over French drains.
Who Installs French Drains?
If you’re ready to move ahead with installing a French drain in your yard, the next step is to determine the best type of professional to hire. To answer the question of who installs French drains—the answer is simple: French drain installation contractors. These specialized drainage pros have the skills, tools, and knowledge to tackle your project from start to finish, including assessing your yard and planning and executing the installation. Consult a French drain professional in your area to get started on your drainage project.
Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro
Be prepared to discuss the pros and cons of nonwoven versus woven geotextile fabrics to wrap your piping and gravel.
While your drain installation pro will come out to measure slope and grading, be prepared to provide details on your yard's topography.
Ask questions about the type of piping a pro recommends—specifically when it comes to perforated corrugated plastic pipe versus perforated PVC pipe.
Additionally, inquire about landscaping services that can help restore your lawn after trenching.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
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