Most homeowners pay $1,650–$12,250 for a French drain, with an average around $5,000. Exterior yard drains run about $10–$65 per linear foot, depending on depth and soil, while interior basement drains cost $40–$100 per linear foot ($4,000–$17,000 total) because the concrete floor has to be cut and replaced (LawnStarter, HomeGuide and Angi data, as of October 2026).
Updated October 8, 2026. Source: LawnStarter + 4 more. National US estimates.
A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that collects groundwater and surface water and carries it away from your house or a soggy part of the yard. Homeowners usually install one to stop pooling water, a wet basement or crawl space, or water building up behind a retaining wall.
This guide covers French drain prices per foot and per project, the difference between exterior and interior systems, a typical cost breakdown and ways to save. If you're mainly comparing contractor bids for a yard drain, see our French drain installation cost guide; for wet basements, see French drain basement cost.
Average cost
Typical French drain prices, national averages as of October 2026:
| Scenario | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Short yard drain, 25–50 ft, shallow | $250–$1,800 | Surface-level drain to fix a soggy spot |
| Exterior drain, about 100 ft | $1,000–$6,500 | Most common residential project |
| Exterior perimeter drain, deep (footing level) | $30–$90 per linear foot | Excavation along the foundation; $1,200–$4,500 per side of the house |
| Interior basement perimeter drain with sump pump | $4,000–$17,000 | Concrete cut, trench, pipe, sump pit and new concrete |
French drain cost by type
| Type | Cost per linear foot | Typical total |
|---|---|---|
| Surface-level yard drain | $10–$30 | $500–$5,300 |
| Curtain drain (2 ft+ deep) | $10–$35 | $1,500–$8,800 |
| Exterior perimeter drain (weeping tile) | $30–$90 | $1,200–$4,500 per side |
| Interior crawl space drain | $20–$40 | $2,000–$8,000 |
| Interior basement perimeter drain | $40–$100 | $4,000–$17,000 |
| Drain behind a retaining wall | $25–$50 | Depends on wall length |
French drain cost by length
HomeGuide's installed ranges by drain length:
| Length | Exterior / yard | Interior / basement |
|---|---|---|
| 25 ft | $250–$900 | $1,000–$2,100 |
| 50 ft | $500–$1,800 | $2,000–$4,300 |
| 100 ft | $1,000–$3,500 | $4,000–$8,500 |
| 150 ft | $1,500–$5,300 | $6,000–$12,800 |
| 200 ft | $2,000–$7,000 | $8,000–$17,000 |
Cost breakdown: materials, labor, permits and extras
Line-item estimate for installing a 100-ft exterior French drain about 2 ft deep through a lawn, discharging to daylight or a dry well. Ranges are national, as of October 8, 2026.
| Cost item | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Labor and trenching | $700–$4,000 | Digging the trench (about $5–$12 per linear foot), laying gravel, pipe and fabric, backfilling |
| Materials (pipe, gravel, fabric) | $250–$1,000 | Perforated pipe $1–$5 per foot, drainage gravel and landscape fabric |
| Surface restoration | $100–$1,000 | Reseeding or new sod over the trench |
| Discharge (outlet or dry well) | $0–$1,000 | Pop-up emitter, daylight outlet or a basic dry well |
| Permits | $0–$375 | Needed in some towns, especially for storm-drain connections |
| Contingency (about 10%) | $100–$600 | Rock, roots or clay that slows digging |
| Estimated total | $1,150–$8,000 | Before any discounts or rebates |
Labor is the majority of the bill, so the trench length, depth and how hard the digging is drive the final price more than materials.
What affects the price
- Length and depth of the trench. Price scales with length: about $10–$35 per linear foot outside. Deeper trenches, such as perimeter drains at footing depth, cost $30–$90 per linear foot because of the extra excavation.
- Interior or exterior installation. Exterior yard drains are the cheapest. Interior basement drains run $40–$100 per linear foot because the crew must break and remove concrete along the walls, then repour it, and they usually include a sump pump.
- Pipe, gravel and fabric used. Corrugated pipe costs about $1–$3 per foot and PVC $1.20–$5; drainage gravel adds about $1–$3 per foot and filter fabric $0.40–$1.80 per foot. Pre-wrapped or gravel-free systems cost more per foot but save labor.
- Surface that must be removed and restored (lawn, concrete, patio). Digging under a lawn is easiest. Angi reports per-foot prices rising from about $20–$30 in a yard to $25–$40 under a patio and $45–$55 under a driveway, where concrete or pavers must be removed and replaced.
- Slope and where the water discharges. The drain needs a downhill path to an outlet. Discharging to daylight is cheapest; a dry well costs about $50–$3,000, a sump pump $500–$2,000 installed, and a storm-drain connection $500–$3,500.
- Excavation access. Tight side yards, fences, landscaping or rocky and clay soils slow the crew down. Hard digging can add $50–$100 per hour of extra labor, and hand digging costs more than using a trencher.
Ways to save
- Try cheaper fixes first: cleaning gutters, extending downspouts and regrading soil away from the foundation ($500–$5,000) can solve some drainage problems without a French drain.
- Consider a curtain drain for surface water in the yard; Angi notes it can save a couple hundred to $1,000 compared with a deeper French drain.
- Route the drain through lawn rather than under patios or driveways when possible to avoid concrete removal and replacement.
- Do your own lawn restoration: reseeding costs only a few cents per square foot, versus paying the crew for sod.
- Get at least three written quotes that specify length, depth, pipe type, gravel, fabric and outlet so you can compare like for like.
Related questions people ask
How much does a French drain cost on average?
The average French drain costs about $5,000, and most homeowners pay $1,650–$12,250 (LawnStarter). Angi's average is higher at about $9,250 because it includes more interior basement systems, which can reach $18,000.
What does a full French drain system cost?
A complete French drain system, such as a perimeter drain around the house or an interior basement drain with a sump pump, typically costs $4,000–$17,000. HomeGuide puts a 100-ft basement system with one sump pump at $4,000–$8,500 and a 200-ft system with two pumps at $8,000–$17,000.
How much does a French drain cost per foot?
Expect $10–$35 per linear foot for exterior yard drains and $40–$100 per linear foot for interior basement drains. Deep exterior perimeter drains run about $30–$90 per linear foot.
How to get an accurate quote
Ask at least three licensed, insured drainage or waterproofing contractors for written, itemized quotes. Give each the same information:
- Where water collects or enters (yard, foundation, basement walls) and photos taken during or after heavy rain.
- The approximate length of drain needed and what's on the route: lawn, garden beds, patio, driveway or fences.
- Where the water can be discharged (a low spot, the street or a storm drain) and whether you already have a sump pump.
- Ask what is included: trench depth, pipe type, gravel and fabric, permits, surface restoration and the workmanship warranty.
FAQ
How long does a French drain last?
A well-built French drain with filter fabric can last decades. Drains without fabric, or those in fine silty or clay soils, can clog sooner; professional cleaning costs about $80–$500.
Do I need a permit for a French drain?
Many towns don't require one for a simple yard drain, but permits are often needed for deep excavation near the foundation or connections to a storm drain. When required, they typically cost about $50–$375.
Can I install a French drain myself?
A short, shallow yard drain is a common DIY project; LawnStarter estimates about $700 in materials and rentals versus about $3,000 for a pro. Interior basement drains and deep perimeter drains near the foundation are best left to professionals.
More Walls & Drainage costs
Related cost guides
Sources
- LawnStarter — How Much Does a French Drain Cost in 2026? (updated Oct 5, 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
- HomeGuide — How Much Does a French Drain Cost? (2026) (Feb 5, 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
- Angi — How Much Does a French Drain Cost? [2026 Data] (updated May 30, 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
- HomeGuide — How Much Does a Drainage System Cost? (2026) (Feb 6, 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
- Modernize — How Much Does French Drain Installation Cost? (accessed Oct 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
Prices are estimates and vary by location and provider. See our methodology and editorial policy. Browse all foundation & water cost guides.