How much does a French drain cost?

A professionally installed French drain runs about $1,500 to $6,000 depending on length and depth, or roughly $20 to $60 per linear foot. Foundation and interior drains cost more. DIY materials are about $10 to $20 per foot, with the savings in the digging.

Can I install a French drain myself?

Yes, a yard or surface French drain is a doable DIY if you are up for heavy digging. The keys are a continuous slope toward the outlet, landscape fabric to keep silt out, and the pipe oriented holes-down. Renting a trencher makes long runs far easier.

How deep should a French drain be?

A surface yard drain is often 12 to 24 inches deep; a foundation drain goes down to the footing. The exact depth depends on the job, but what matters most is a steady downhill slope of about one percent the whole way to the outlet.

Where does a French drain drain to?

It needs a lower outlet: daylight on a slope, a dry well, a storm drain where permitted, or a pop-up emitter in the yard. The drain only works if water has somewhere lower to go, so picking the outlet comes before digging.

Do I need a permit for a French drain?

A simple yard drain usually does not, but tying into a storm sewer, working near a property line, or major grading can require one. Rules vary by town, so check with your local building or stormwater department before a large project.

PROJECT GUIDE · UPDATED JUNE 2026

French Drain Cost & Project Guide

Everything for your French Drain in one place: cost by state, DIY vs. hire, the tools and materials, and a local pro if you want one.

NATIONAL AVERAGE · UPDATED JUNE 2026

HIRE A PRO

$1,500–$6,000

DIY COST

$400–$1,500

Typical project: A 50 to 100 ft drain to move water away from the foundation or a wet yard

Skill levelDoable with careAnyone can take this on. The Blueprint walks you through it, step by step.

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Exact cost by zip →Tools & materials →Find a pro →

Source: 3+ benchmark aggregations (RSMeans, Angi, Fixr, HomeGuide) plus Submitted Quotes data

Plan your French Drain

A quick checklist to get from idea to done. Want it as a printable PDF? Grab the full free version, emailed to you.

1Set a realistic budget using the cost range above.
2Check whether your project needs a permit in your state.
3Decide DIY or hire (see the breakdown below).
4Make your materials and tools list.
5If hiring, get three quotes and compare them like-for-like.
6Plan the timeline and order materials with a 10 percent buffer.

Get the full free French Drain checklist, emailed as a PDF →

Tools and materials for a French Drain

What you will actually buy. We flag what to rent versus own so you do not overspend on a one-time tool.

Materials

Perforated drain pipe with sock · 50 to 100 ft
Drainage gravel · several cubic yards
Landscape fabric · 1 roll
Catch basin or pop-up emitter · 1 set

Tools

Shovel, mattock, and wheelbarrow · you likely own
Trencher rental · rent or buy
Level and string line · you likely own

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Pro tips for your French Drain

The mistakes that cost DIYers the most, and how to stay ahead of them.

Not sloping the trench enough

Skipping landscape fabric so the pipe silts up

Pipe oriented holes-up

Draining to a spot that holds water

Should you DIY or hire for French Drain?

It depends on three things: your skill level, your time, and your tolerance for the riskiest parts of the project.

When DIY makes sense

→You have prior experience with similar home improvement projects
→The scope is well-defined and doesn't involve hidden structural work
→You can dedicate multiple days without rushing the job
→You're comfortable pulling a permit and scheduling inspections

When to hire

→The project involves electrical, plumbing, or structural elements
→You're on a hard deadline (sale, rental, weather window)
→Mistakes would be expensive or dangerous to fix
→Your jurisdiction requires a licensed contractor for permit sign-off
→You haven't done this type of work before

DifficultyModerate

Doable with some project experience and comfort handling permits and inspections.

Not planning to DIY? Find a local French Drain pro →

What drives the cost of French Drain

Materials

The single biggest material variable is your product choice. Surface yard drain and Foundation perimeter drain sit at opposite ends of the price spectrum, a decision that can shift your materials budget by 40–60%. Key line items include perforated drain pipe with sock, drainage gravel, landscape fabric, each priced per unit and sensitive to regional supply-chain conditions. Bulk purchasing and timing your order outside peak season (spring and early summer) can reduce material costs by 10–15%.

Labor

BLS occupational wage data shows outdoor-trade crews earn $28–$52/hour depending on metro area, and most french drain jobs require a two- to three-person crew for at least one full day. Labor typically accounts for 40–60% of the total project cost. Project complexity, custom details, tight access, or non-standard configurations, adds crew time and can push labor costs well above the national average.

Site conditions

Slope, soil type, and existing-structure condition are the three site factors contractors price most aggressively. Demolition or removal of old materials adds dumpster and disposal fees that rarely appear in online estimates. Local code requirements, permit fees, required inspections, and jurisdiction-specific material standards, can add $200–$1,500 to any project before a single tool is lifted.

Rather hire it out?

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French Drain cost in your state

French Drain cost varies a lot by state. Open your state for locally calibrated hire and DIY numbers.

French Drain cost in Michigan →French Drain cost in California →French Drain cost in Texas →French Drain cost in Florida →French Drain cost in New York →French Drain cost in Pennsylvania →French Drain cost in Ohio →French Drain cost in Georgia →

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