Who Installs French Drains? A Handy Hiring Guide

When it comes to pooling water on your property and seepage in your basement, a French drain can be an effective solution. So, who installs French drains? A French drain specialist can design an effective French drain system to divert excess water, plus they will ensure code compliance and the proper permitting per your municipality’s requirements. This French drain installation hiring guide will help you find the perfect pro for this project.

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.

Kaitlyn Pacheco

Content Editor, Angi

Benefits of Hiring a Professional French Drain Installation Contractor

Drainage issues can be complex, and installing a French drain isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. 

• Resolve any drainage issue: By hiring a local French drain specialist, you’re working with a professional who’s well-versed in designing French drains to address a variety of drainage problems. 

• Follow code regulations: French drain installers are experts in keeping installations up to code, so you can be assured your installation will meet all the legal requirements. 

• Pulls permits: if you need a permit for a French drain installation, your contractor will handle all the necessary steps to ensure you’re in compliance with local regulations. 

• Long-lasting results: A major benefit of hiring a French drain contractor to place your drainage system is the peace of mind of knowing they will create long-term results for your yard.

Can I DIY French Drain Installation?

To save on your French drain cost, you might be considering a DIY project rather than hiring a pro. While learning how to install a French drain is possible, it can be challenging to pull off without the proper expertise and experience. Aside from the labor-intensive trench digging, you'll need to accurately identify the flood-prone areas on your property and determine the most effective way to divert the water without it flowing toward your home or neighboring properties. There's a high risk of error, and mistakes could lead to clogs and water backups, requiring you to dig up your yard again to fix the issues.

Along with designing a safe and effective French drain system, DIY-ers must ensure legality and code compliance. Systems that aren’t properly permitted or up to code can result in costly fines and additional labor to fix any issues. If you feel unsure about your ability to handle the DIY project, hiring a professional to install the French drain can save you from potential hassles and ensure the job is done correctly the first time.

Can I Hire a Basement Waterproofing or Foundation Repair Specialist for French Drain Installation?

Basement waterproofing and foundation repair specialists are another good choice for a type of home improvement pro to hire for French drain installation. They are well-equipped to inspect water damage and recommend French drains to help prevent homes and landscapes from flooding and costly water damage. These specialists can assess a home's unique situation and recommend the appropriate type of French drain installation based on their expertise in foundation and basement waterproofing.

However, these pros don’t have the expertise specific to installing this type of drainage system. If your foundation repair specialist advertises French drain installation, be sure to ask questions about their prior experience with this type of project before hiring.

Can I Hire a Landscaper for French Drain Installation?

Photo: oleksandr / Adobe Stock

If your main concern is groundwater pooling in the yard, a landscaper can be an excellent alternative professional to hire for a French drain installation. Landscapers have the expertise to work the French drain installation into your existing landscape design, ensuring it not only functions well but also doesn’t interfere with your yard's aesthetics. They can assess water flow patterns, select suitable locations for the drain, choose materials that complement the landscaping, and address any impact on plants, lawns, and other landscape features. Additionally, they can evaluate whether adjustments to the grading or elevation around the home are necessary to prevent water from seeping into the foundation.

Can I Hire a Plumber for French Drain Installation?

Whenever there’s a drain involved, hiring a plumber is often the first thing that comes to mind. However, the plumber’s code in many states does not cover French drain installation, so the job doesn’t fall under a plumber’s scope of services. Unless a plumber has specialized knowledge and training, many will avoid taking on a French drain installation. If you have a trusted plumbing company that you work with, it never hurts to ask, but otherwise it’s best to go with a French drain installation specialist.

How Do Contractors Install French Drains? 

Here’s a brief run-through of what your French drain installation process will look like:

1. Permitting: If required, your contractor will obtain the necessary permits for French drain installation from your local municipality.

2. Planning and design: Your contractor will work with you to identify the problem areas where water accumulation or drainage issues occur and determine the optimal placement of the drain to redirect the water away from the property.

3. Excavation: The next step involves excavating a trench along the planned route of the French drain.

4. Perforated pipe installation: Once the trench is excavated, a perforated pipe is installed at the bottom of the trench, which will collect and redirect the water away from the property.

5. Gravel placement: After the perforated pipe is installed, a layer of gravel is placed on top of and around the pipe, allowing water to easily flow into the pipe while providing additional drainage and stability.

6. Landscape fabric: In certain installations, a landscape fabric is placed on top of the gravel to prevent soil and debris from clogging up the system over time.

7. Backfilling: Once the pipe, gravel, and any landscape fabric are in place, the trench is backfilled with topsoil.

8. Surface restoration: Finally, the area above the French drain is restored for seamless integration into the landscape’s aesthetic.