French Drain cost breakdown
At a mid-range, national-average baseline, a typical french drain project is estimated at $1,750 to $5,250. The table below breaks the cost down so you can see where your project is likely to land.
| Type | Cost per ft | Typical total (100 ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Surface / yard | $15 to $50 | About $1,500 to $5,000 |
| Interior basement | $40 to $90 | About $4,000 to $9,000 |
| Exterior foundation | $50 to $100 | About $5,000 to $10,000 |
French Drain cost by project size
Most of your french drain cost scales with size. Here is the estimated national-average range at a few common project sizes.
| Drain length (linear feet) | Estimated total cost | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| 50 linear feet | $875 to $2,650 | Smaller project |
| 100 linear feet | $1,750 to $5,250 | Typical project |
| 180 linear feet | $3,150 to $9,450 | Larger project |
What drives french drain cost
- Length and depth of the drain.
- Type: yard, interior basement, or exterior foundation.
- Soil conditions and digging difficulty.
- Landscaping or concrete to remove and restore.
- Discharge point and regional labor rates.
Key cost factors
Type and depth
A shallow yard drain for surface water is cheapest. Interior and exterior foundation drains go deep along footings to keep basements dry, which costs much more.
Soil and restoration
Rocky or clay soil slows digging, and restoring landscaping, patios, or driveways above the drain adds to the cost.