A French drain channels water away from where you don’t want it — a soggy yard or a wet basement — using a gravel-filled trench and perforated pipe. It costs $1,500 to $6,000 in 2026, averaging around $3,500, or about $25 to $75 per linear foot.
What you’re paying for
The pipe and gravel are cheap; the cost is the digging. You’re paying for excavation, labor, the perforated pipe, washed gravel, filter fabric, and restoring whatever the trench disturbed — and, for interior systems, a sump pump tie-in.
Interior vs. exterior
An exterior yard drain is the cheapest fix for surface water. An interior basement perimeter drain — cutting the slab and routing water to a sump pump — costs the most but is the standard cure for a chronically wet basement.
Excavation drives the price
Digging around a foundation, through concrete, or in tight access is the expensive part. The more digging and the deeper the trench, the higher the cost.
How to save on a French drain
- Address surface water first with regrading and gutters — it may be enough.
- Choose an exterior drain where it solves the problem.
- Use quality pipe, washed gravel, and fabric so it doesn’t clog and fail.
- Get the slope right — a drain that doesn’t fall properly won’t work.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Excavation / trenching | $600 – $2,500 | – |
| Pipe, gravel, fabric | $300 – $1,500 | – |
| Labor & installation | $500 – $2,000 | – |
| Sump pump tie-in (interior) | $500 – $1,500 | – |
| Restoration (concrete, landscaping) | $300 – $1,500 | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior yard drain (per linear ft) | $10 – $30 / ft | – |
| Curtain / footing drain (per linear ft) | $25 – $60 / ft | – |
| Interior basement perimeter | $40 – $100 / ft | – |
| Typical full project | $2,000 – $6,000 | – |
What affects the price
- Interior vs. exterior An exterior yard drain is the cheapest; an interior basement perimeter drain (cutting the slab) and exterior foundation drains cost the most.
- Length & depth Priced largely per linear foot; longer runs and deeper trenches near a foundation cost more.
- Excavation & access Digging around a foundation, through hardscape, or in tight spaces is the biggest cost driver.
- Sump pump Interior systems usually tie into a sump pump and pit, adding cost.
- Restoration Replacing concrete, patios, or landscaping disturbed by the trench adds to the total.
French drain cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical french drain job costs about $1,800 to $7,000 in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $1,300 to $5,100 (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,300 – $5,200 |
| Alaska | $1,700 – $6,900 |
| Arizona | $1,400 – $5,700 |
| Arkansas | $1,300 – $5,100 |
| California | $1,700 – $6,700 |
| Colorado | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| Connecticut | $1,600 – $6,400 |
| Delaware | $1,500 – $5,900 |
| District of Columbia | $1,600 – $6,500 |
| Florida | $1,400 – $5,500 |
| Georgia | $1,400 – $5,500 |
| Hawaii | $1,800 – $7,000 |
| Idaho | $1,400 – $5,600 |
| Illinois | $1,700 – $6,900 |
| Indiana | $1,500 – $6,100 |
| Iowa | $1,500 – $5,800 |
| Kansas | $1,400 – $5,700 |
| Kentucky | $1,400 – $5,600 |
| Louisiana | $1,400 – $5,400 |
| Maine | $1,500 – $5,900 |
| Maryland | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| Massachusetts | $1,700 – $6,900 |
| Michigan | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| Minnesota | $1,600 – $6,500 |
| Mississippi | $1,300 – $5,200 |
| Missouri | $1,500 – $6,100 |
| Montana | $1,500 – $5,900 |
| Nebraska | $1,400 – $5,600 |
| Nevada | $1,500 – $6,200 |
| New Hampshire | $1,500 – $5,900 |
| New Jersey | $1,700 – $6,800 |
| New Mexico | $1,400 – $5,500 |
| New York | $1,700 – $6,600 |
| North Carolina | $1,400 – $5,400 |
| North Dakota | $1,500 – $6,100 |
| Ohio | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| Oklahoma | $1,400 – $5,500 |
| Oregon | $1,700 – $6,600 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,500 – $6,100 |
| Rhode Island | $1,600 – $6,200 |
| South Carolina | $1,400 – $5,500 |
| South Dakota | $1,400 – $5,400 |
| Tennessee | $1,400 – $5,500 |
| Texas | $1,400 – $5,500 |
| Utah | $1,400 – $5,600 |
| Vermont | $1,500 – $5,800 |
| Virginia | $1,400 – $5,700 |
| Washington | $1,700 – $7,000 |
| West Virginia | $1,400 – $5,700 |
| Wisconsin | $1,600 – $6,200 |
| Wyoming | $1,500 – $5,900 |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- How much does a French drain cost?
- Most French drains cost $1,500–$6,000, or about $25–$75 per linear foot. A simple exterior yard drain is at the low end; an interior basement perimeter drain that ties into a sump pump is the most expensive.
- What's the difference between interior and exterior French drains?
- An exterior drain diverts surface or groundwater away from the foundation or yard. An interior drain runs around the basement perimeter under the slab and channels water to a sump pump. Interior systems cost more because they involve cutting the floor.
- Does a French drain fix a wet basement?
- Often, yes — paired with a sump pump, an interior perimeter French drain is the standard solution for a chronically wet basement. For surface water, an exterior drain plus regrading may be enough.
- How long does a French drain last?
- A well-built French drain lasts 30–40 years. Using quality perforated pipe, washed gravel, and filter fabric keeps it from clogging with silt, which is the main failure point.
- Can I install a French drain myself?
- A short exterior yard drain is a doable (if labor-intensive) DIY. Foundation and interior basement drains involve heavy excavation, slab cutting, and getting the slope right — best left to waterproofing pros.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources:
- French Drain Cost (2026), HomeGuide
- How Much Does a French Drain Cost?, Angi
- How Much Does a French Drain Cost?, Bob Vila