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Waterproofing Specialists on Thumbtack cost$60 - $240

Average fixed price

  • Lowest price:$30
  • Most common low price:$60
  • Most common high price:$240
  • Highest price:$300

How much does a French drain cost?

A French drain costs approximately $25-$50 per linear foot to install. The cost to install a French drain system in your yard or basement can vary depending on your home's unique situation. For example, the installation cost will depend on how far you need to redirect your water, what type of piping you use and how deep your trench needs to be.

Whether you're saving your saturated lawn, recovering from a flooded basement or setting up a retaining wall, a French drain system may be the best way to solve your water issues. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about French drain installation costs. 

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French drain cost per foot

While the average rate for piping and installation to build a french drain is approximately $25-$50 per linear foot, the total amount may increase or decrease depending on the job’s complexity, whether you're redirecting interior or exterior water and what kind of piping you use.

Total linear feet

Estimated cost

25

$625-$1,250

50

$1,250-$2,500

75

$1,875-$3,750

100

$2,500-$5,000

125

$3,125-$6,250

150

$3,750-$7,500

200

$5,000-$10,000

225

$5,625-$11,250

As previously stated, installing a French drain indoors (like in your basement) or outdoors will likely incur different costs. Typically, internal drainage systems are more expensive than outdoor ones. Here are some examples of the cost per linear foot for French drain installation from a Thumbtack pro and drainage contractor in Michigan:

Total linear feet

Outdoor or yard ($25/linear foot)

Basement ($45/linear foot)

25

$625

$1,125

50

$1,250

$2,250

75

$1,875

$3,375

100

$2,500

$4,500

125

$3,125

$5,625

150

$3,750

$6,750

200

$5,000

$9,000

225

$5,625

$10,125

When you're installing a French drain, a pro can help you determine how much French drain pipe you need to lay to redirect the water far enough away from your home. 

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What is a French drain?

A French drain is an underground water drainage system that redirects free-standing water from your basement or crawl space, around your home's foundation or from low areas in your backyard or driveway. Essentially, this drainage system can prevent heavy rain and floods from causing water damage.

Interior vs. exterior French drainage systems

An interior French drain redirects water that enters your basement. A contractor can install the drain under your basement floor. 

An exterior French drain moves water away from low spots where it collects in your backyard. These drains are useful behind exterior retaining walls to prevent water from pooling and damaging a wall's structural integrity over time.

How does a French drain work?

French drains use gravity to redirect water to a lower location downstream from your home. A French drain's perforated pipes (aka “weeping tile”) drain groundwater and standing water near your foundation or in your basement to a new location. The French drain descends at a slight slope, and the water exits at a lower point away from your home, such as a drywell, a dry creek bed, the street or a storm drain.

Do I need a French drain system?

Not sure if you need to install a French drain system? If any of the following statements apply to you, you should consider installing one:

  • You live in a region that gets a lot of rain.
  • Your lawn is too wet or squishy after it rains.
  • It takes a long time for your property to dry after it rains.
  • You want to build a retaining wall that’s located on a hill.
  • Your basement is experiencing water or flooding problems.
  • You don’t have a drainage system, and your basement is prone to flooding.
  • You have a drainage system, but your basement is still having flooding issues.

Talk to a contractor near you to determine if a French drain is the best type of drainage system for your property.

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French drain installation cost factors

There are other factors to consider besides the total linear feet when estimating prices. Here’s an overview of the main factors that can impact the cost of a French drain:

Labor rates

Installing a French drain requires manual labor. The contractor(s) will need to dig a trench, lay down the pipes and add a layer of gravel. The more labor-intensive the installation process, the higher the cost.

Keep in mind that creating a French drain to redirect water from a finished basement involves cutting into the basement slab, removing interior walls and reinstalling your basement floor.

Site accessibility

The harder it is to access and navigate the site where you need to install the drainage system, the higher the price. 

Soil content

If your soil has shale or other conditions that make it hard to dig, that may increase the amount of time it takes to complete the project (and thus, the cost).

French drain pipe material

When choosing a material for your French drain pipe, your options are typically rigid PVC with holes or flexible drain pipe with slits. Flexible pipe is typically the most affordable option, according to Bob Vila.   

Sump pump

Installing a new sump pump costs approximately $400-$1,397. An interior French drain system directs water from underneath the basement floor to a collection pit. A sump pump will then pump it to the surface. If you don’t have a sump pump, you’ll need to install one (or repair your broken one). 

French drain depth

Depending on what the conditions are in your yard or basement, you may need a deep or shallow French drain. A shallow French drain (or a “curtain drain”) costs about $10-$16 per linear foot and is recommended if you only have a surface water issue, according to House Logic. For example, you may need a shallow French drain if you have a squishy, overly wet lawn. These drains are about 2 feet deep.

A deep French drain (aka a footing drain) costs approximately $12,000 for a 1,500-square-foot basement that’s 6 feet deep. A deep French drain runs around your home’s perimeter to redirect the water before it invades the basement.

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How to install a French drain

Installing a French drain consists of four main steps: mapping out the drainage path, digging the trench, laying the piping and refilling the trench.

First, a drainage pro will assess your issues to see how far your exit point needs to be from your home and determine your French drain design. 

Next, a pro will dig a trench. For an interior French drain system, this means cutting into your basement floor. Once the trench is dug, your pro will line the trench with landscaping fabric and lay the perforated piping. Then, they'll test the system from your home to confirm the water is deposited at the exit site. 

Lastly, the pro will cover the piping with gravel and refill the trench with soil to hide it underground. Sometimes, a pro will cover the drain with a grate or leave it uncovered.

Pro tip: Find out what utility lines are underground. A contractor may need to design a more nuanced drainage system to avoid your utilities. 

How to unclog a French drain

Your French drain doesn't require much maintenance to operate well. However, it can get clogged when leaves and debris accrue over time. Flushing your drain with a hose and occasionally snaking your drain with an electric sewer snake can keep it running properly.

When you notice a slight clog in your French drain, clear it right away to avoid a larger problem.

Also read: Plumbing maintenance tips.

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How to hire someone to install a French drain

Installing a French drain can get complicated quickly, so it’s best to hire a professional to install your system. You can find local professionals on Thumbtack, where you can also read their customer reviews and ratings.

When you’re chatting with potential contractors, ask about their credentials. Ensure ahead of time that they're comfortable with outdoor jobs, and always ask for photos or examples of past work they’ve completed. 

For more tips, read our guide on how to hire a contractor.

Find a French drain installation pro near you

When you have a water drainage problem, it's important to find a solution as quickly as possible. Thumbtack's helpful and knowledgeable drainage pros can help you waterproof your basement, dry your backyard and redirect unwanted water away from your home. 

FAQs

How deep should a French drain be?

In most cases, a French drain should be between 18 to 24 inches deep. Always ensure that your piping is sufficiently below your basement slab or finished floor level.

How far should a French drain be from the house?

The distance your drain should be from your house depends on the grade and slope of your property. Ask a pro during your consultation how far your drain should be from your house when creating your French drain design. 

Why is it called a French drain?

French drains are named after Henry French, a farmer and judge who wrote a book on farm drainage in 1859. 

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What size gravel do you need for a French drain?

French drains need larger gravel to promote water flow. Depending on your unique situation, you can use gravel that is between 1/2 inch and 1 1/2 inches across, according to Hunker.

How long do French drains last?

Your French drain's lifespan depends on your home's specific circumstances and the weather in your area. During your on-site consultation, ask your pro how long they expect your French drain will last.

What is the difference between a French drain and a trench drain?

A trench drain is an above-ground drainage system that removes surface water through a drain grate and a small trench. French drains are subsurface and reduce saturation from your home's foundation or lawn. 

And while a trench drain consists of a grate and a trench, French drains use piping within a trench to redirect water to a new location.

How do we know these prices?

Millions of people ask Thumbtack for help with their projects every year. We track the estimates they get from local professionals, conduct our own research and then we share those prices with you. The prices reflected in the article above are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. Contact a professional near you to receive a personalized cost estimate for your project.

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