Installing a typical 100-ft exterior French drain costs $1,000–$6,500, or roughly $10–$65 per linear foot depending on depth, soil and what's on top of the trench. Labor and trenching make up most of the bill; interior basement installs run $40–$100 per linear foot (LawnStarter, HomeGuide, Modernize and Angi data, as of October 2026).
Updated October 8, 2026. Source: LawnStarter + 3 more. National US estimates.
This page focuses on the installation itself: what a contractor charges to dig the trench, lay the pipe and gravel, connect an outlet and put your yard back together. Installation labor is the biggest part of a French drain budget, so understanding how crews price the trench helps you read and compare bids.
For an overview of all drain types, including interior basement systems and full perimeter drains, see the main French drain cost guide. If the drain will feed a pump, our sump pump installation cost guide covers that part of the job.
Average cost
Typical French drain installation prices, national averages as of October 2026:
| Scenario | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 50 ft exterior yard drain, shallow | $500–$3,250 | Lawn, easy digging, daylight outlet |
| 100 ft exterior drain, up to about 2 ft deep | $1,000–$6,500 | Most common residential install |
| 200 ft exterior drain or perimeter section | $2,000–$13,000 | Longer runs, deeper trenches, some hardscape |
| 100 ft interior basement drain | $4,000–$8,500 | Concrete cut and repour, usually with a sump pump |
Installation cost components
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trench digging | $5–$12 per linear foot | About $500–$1,200 for 100 ft |
| Perforated pipe | $1–$5 per foot | Corrugated is cheapest; PVC costs more |
| Drainage gravel | $1–$3 per foot | $100–$600 for 100–200 ft |
| Filter fabric | $0.40–$1.80 per foot | Wraps the gravel to slow clogging |
| Trencher rental (DIY) | $85–$200 per day | Plus delivery and fuel |
| Permits | $50–$375 | Where required |
Cost breakdown: materials, labor, permits and extras
Line-item estimate for installing a 100-ft exterior French drain through a lawn, about 2 ft deep, with a daylight or pop-up outlet. Ranges are national, as of October 8, 2026.
| Cost item | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Labor and trenching | $700–$4,000 | Digging, grading the trench bottom, laying gravel, pipe and fabric, backfill |
| Materials (pipe, gravel, fabric) | $250–$1,000 | 100 ft of perforated pipe, drainage gravel, landscape fabric |
| Surface restoration | $0–$600 | Reseeding or sod over the trench |
| Outlet or discharge | $0–$500 | Pop-up emitter, daylight outlet or small dry well |
| Permits | $0–$225 | Only in some towns |
| Contingency (about 10%) | $50–$300 | Roots, rock or buried utilities to work around |
| Estimated total | $1,000–$6,600 | Before any discounts or rebates |
Modernize estimates labor at roughly 85% of a French drain installation, so the trench, not the pipe, is where your money goes.
What affects the price
- Linear feet of trench. Contractors price by the foot: about $10–$35 per linear foot for typical yard drains (HomeGuide) and up to $65 for harder exterior jobs (LawnStarter). A 50-ft drain costs roughly half as much as a 100-ft drain.
- Depth and width. Shallow yard drains are under 2 ft deep. Curtain drains go 2 ft or deeper, and footing-level perimeter drains cost $30–$90 per linear foot because of the extra digging and spoil removal.
- Digging method (machine or by hand). A trencher or mini excavator is faster and cheaper on open lawns; hand digging is needed near foundations, trees and utilities and raises labor. Trench digging alone runs about $5–$12 per linear foot.
- Pipe and gravel used. Corrugated pipe ($1–$3 per foot) is cheapest, rigid PVC ($1.20–$5) is easier to clean, and gravel-free prefabricated systems cost $7–$10 per foot but cut down on gravel hauling.
- Surface restoration. Restoring lawn is inexpensive (new sod about $0.87–$1.76 per sq. ft. installed), but routing under patios, sidewalks or driveways raises the per-foot price to about $25–$55 because hardscape must be cut and replaced.
- Discharge or sump connection. A daylight outlet is the cheapest discharge. A dry well costs about $500–$3,000, a storm-drain connection $500–$3,500, and adding a sump pump to the system $600–$2,500.
Ways to save
- Ask for a price per linear foot as well as a total, so you can compare bids and see what changes if the drain gets shorter.
- Keep the route on lawn and away from patios and driveways when possible.
- Reseed the trench yourself instead of paying for sod.
- Ask whether the contractor can reuse the excavated soil for backfill on site instead of hauling it away, which trims disposal costs.
- Get at least three written quotes listing trench depth, pipe type, gravel and fabric, outlet and restoration.
Related questions people ask
How much does it cost to install a French drain?
It typically costs $1,000–$6,500 to install a 100-ft exterior French drain, or about $10–$65 per linear foot. Short 25–50 ft yard drains can come in under $1,000, while interior basement drains cost $40–$100 per linear foot.
What is included in the cost of French drain installation?
A typical installation price covers excavation, perforated pipe, drainage gravel, filter fabric, backfill and a basic outlet. Permits ($50–$375), sod, hardscape repair, dry wells and sump pumps are often priced separately, so check each line of the quote.
How to get an accurate quote
Ask at least three licensed, insured contractors for written, itemized quotes. Give each the same information:
- The length of drain needed and a sketch of the route, including lawn, beds, patios, driveways and fences.
- Where water collects now, and where it can be discharged downhill.
- Any known buried utilities, irrigation lines or septic components (call 811 to have public utilities marked).
- Ask for trench depth and width, pipe type, gravel and fabric, outlet, restoration and warranty to be listed separately.
FAQ
How long does French drain installation take?
A typical 50–100 ft exterior drain usually takes one to three days with a trencher. Interior basement drains take longer because concrete must be cut, removed and repoured.
Is it cheaper to install a French drain myself?
Yes for short, shallow yard drains: LawnStarter estimates about $700 DIY versus about $3,000 for a pro, with trencher rentals around $85–$200 per day. Deep drains near the foundation are better left to a contractor.
How deep should a French drain be?
Shallow yard drains are usually less than 2 ft deep, curtain drains 2 ft or more, and drains meant to intercept groundwater around a foundation go down near footing level. The deeper the drain, the higher the cost per foot.
For the big picture, start with our complete french drain cost guide.
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.
- Modernize — How Much Does French Drain Installation Cost? (accessed Oct 2026). Checked October 8, 2026.
- Angi — How Much Does a French Drain Cost? [2026 Data] (updated May 30, 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.