How Much Does a French Drain Cost? [2024 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.
Installing a French drain costs $500 to $18,000, with a national average of $9,250. The final price will depend on several factors, including drain type and size, location, labor, and any permits you might need. French drains help prevent water damage to our homes and yards, making this popular drainage system a worthwhile investment for many homeowners. Explore potential cost factors before budgeting for your French drain.
- Average
- $9,250
- Low end
- $400
- high end
- $27,000
French Drain Installation Cost Breakdown
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 more 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.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a French Drain Yourself?
While the basic science behind digging a trench, adding gravel, and laying a French drain pipe is on the simpler side, we don't recommend the project without a professional for a few reasons.
Besides the need for permits and an inspection, installing French drains yourself even slightly wrong could lead to seriously expensive repairs due to flooding or structural damage in and around your home.
Lastly, the slope and placement of your French drain can be more complex than meets the eye. Professionals understand the exact length and angle to lay the pipe to send water—but not too much water—away from your foundation and yard for a healthy landscape and foundation.
Cost to Hire a Pro vs. DIY French Drain Installation
Building your own French drain could save you thousands if you’re willing to do the prep work, measurements, and labor to accomplish it properly.
Using PVC pipe and basic excavation tools, you might be able to tackle your French drain build for under $1,000—a great savings when you consider the national average is around $9,000.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
French drains are relatively straightforward and cost-effective ways to keep the pressure of standing water from affecting your foundation and remove standing water from your landscape. The installation should last between 30 and 40 years, all the while redistributing both underground and surface water safely away from your home.
When paired with proper basement waterproofing, a drain protects your home from long-term damage and major flooding during large storms.
A range of certified professionals can install French drains, from foundation specialists to plumbers. However, you’ll want to make sure that the professional has a breadth of experience installing the specific type of drain you need in or outside your home. Your contractor should also have experience with sump pumps, waterproofing, and flood-proof landscaping.
Most homeowner policies don’t cover damage to the actual French drains themselves. However, some insurance policies do cover flood damage. In the event that your current system fails and your French drains need to be fixed, you could be covered for any damages incurred. Check your insurance policy to see how they pay out for water damage if a drain system fails.
If the time has come to install a French drain in your yard, basement, or crawl space, there's a solid chance you've been battling water damage—or the threat of water damage—around these areas. Thankfully, proper drainage should allow you to redesign these areas of your home without the fear of being inundated during the next storm.
If you've had to remove a portion of your lawn for an exterior French or curtain drain, consider reseeding your lawn to patch up the spot. You can also take this opportunity to enhance your foundation waterproofing methods or even start thinking about finishing your basement.