How much does a French drain cost?

Short answer

A French drain usually costs about $1,500 to $6,000 installed, with many homeowners paying around $3,500. Most installers price by the foot, so the length of the drain matters most. Digging through roots, concrete or hard clay, running the drain to a far outlet, or tying in several downspouts all push the price up.

Typical range

$1,500–$6,000

Most homeowners pay

$3,500

Expected lifespan

20–40 years

Where the money goes

Trenching and labor (per foot)$15–$45

Most of the cost. Hand digging near the house costs more

Pipe, fabric and gravel (per foot)$5–$15

Perforated pipe wrapped in fabric inside a gravel bed

Outlet or pop-up emitter$100–$500

Where the water finally leaves the yard

Regrading and lawn repair$300–$1,500

Putting the yard back and fixing the slope

Downspout tie-ins$100–$300

Per downspout, using solid pipe

Utility locate and permits$0–$300

Calling 811 before digging is free; permits vary by city

What changes the price

Length of the drain, since most work is priced per foot
Depth, and whether the drain runs along the foundation
Soil type. Dense clay and roots take longer to dig
How far the water has to go to reach a legal outlet
Driveways, walks or patios that have to be cut or tunneled under
Whether downspouts and a sump pump tie into the system
Local labor rates

Repair or replace?

A drain that has stopped working is often clogged with silt rather than broken. Ask for a camera inspection and a jetting price before paying to dig a new one. If the pipe was installed without fabric, or crushed, replacement is usually the better choice.

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