How Much Does a French Drain Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Installing a French drain costs most homeowners between $500 and $18,000, with most spending $9,250, on average. That's between $10 and $100 per linear foot. Factors like location, size, and the quality of materials will impact the final price. It's important to budget accordingly and hire a drainage professional to ensure proper installation.

What Is a French Drain?

If you're dealing with a soggy yard or a damp basement every time it rains, a French drain might be the solution you need. A French drain is a trench filled with pea gravel and a perforated pipe that helps divert standing or pooling water away from your home, preventing flooding and water damage. By installing one, you can protect your property and potentially save thousands in future repair costs.

Also known by other names like weeping tile, channel drain, or trench drain, French drains come in various types depending on how and where they're installed. For example:

• Weeping tile drain, perimeter drain, footing drain, drain tile, deep French drain, and foundation drain: Laid at the foundation level around the exterior or interior

• Curtain drain: Laid at or near the soil surface around the home exterior to divert surface water (rain and snow) rather than groundwater

• Trench drain, yard drain, or garden drain: A surface-level style used in yards, driveways, and gardens

French Drain Installation Cost Factors

The total cost of installing a French drain mainly consists of labor and materials. Labor costs may include hiring professionals like plumbers, landscapers, or concrete specialists, depending on your project's needs. Material costs cover the drain's piping, gravel, and any necessary equipment. Understanding these and other costs can help you budget effectively for your project.

Cost per Linear Foot

The cost to install a French drain varies depending on its type and location. You can expect to pay between $10 and $100 per linear foot. Here's how the costs break down based on the type of French drain:

Labor

Labor for French drain installation can range from $50 to $100 per hour, depending on the type of contractor you hire. Most of the cost comes from labor, as the pipe and equipment cost relatively little.

• Plumbers charge $45–$200 per hour, depending on their experience.

• Professional landscapers charge $50–$100 per hour to dig the trench and install your drain in the yard.

• Basement French drains require more labor because your pro needs to demolish the concrete around the perimeter to install the drain, flashing, and waterproof membrane. Then they'll need to redo the concrete after the drain is installed.

Accessibility

Generally, interior French drain installation is more expensive because contractors have to remove a section of concrete. However, costs can increase inside or outside, depending on accessibility. For example, if your land has rocky soil, it may take landscapers longer to dig the trench for an outdoor French drain, and the added labor will increase the cost.

Depth

If the contractor needs to dig deeper to install the pipe, you'll also see costs go up because of added labor. That's why shallow French or curtain drains are usually less costly than deep French drains.

Landscape Repair

Keep in mind that installing a French drain might disturb your lawn or garden. Contractors typically don't include landscape repairs in their quotes. If you prefer not to handle the landscaping yourself, consider budgeting for these additional costs:

• Lawn seeding: Averaging $100–$200 for up to 1,000 square feet

• Landscape installation: Averaging $1,200–$6,300 

Interior French Drain Cost

Installing an interior French drain costs between $5,000 and $18,000. The total cost depends on factors like whether it's installed in your basement or crawl space and if you're including a sump pump installation as part of the project.

Interior Perimeter or Basement French Drain Cost

Interior basement French drains cost an average of $40 to $100 per linear foot, or $5,000 to $18,000 total. Most basements need between 100 and 150 linear feet of drain.

These foundation drains, also known as drain tiles or perimeter drains, require more work and materials because contractors need to install the drain pipe under the concrete. Often, they require specialized membranes for drainage.

It's important to have your basement drain installed correctly to avoid costly repairs in the future, making it necessary to hire a professional.

Cost to Install a Sump Pump and French Drain

Installing a sump pump along with a French drain in your basement costs $4,650 to $17,000. On its own, sump pump installation costs approximately $500 to $2,000. You don't always need to install both at the same time, but they're often paired together.

The two systems work together to prevent water backup. The drain tile or perforated pipe of the French drain allows perimeter water to flow into the sump basin, which is set lower than the tile. The sump pump then sends the water outside your home to a storm drain or your internal sewage outlet, where allowed.

When using a sump pump with an interior French drain, it's a good idea to install a battery backup for the pump's power supply.

Exterior Perimeter French Drain Cost

Exterior perimeter weeping tiles and French drains cost an average of $500 to $10,000 or more, depending on how deep you need to dig and the size of your home's footprint. Generally, you can expect to budget $10 to $50 per linear foot.

For example, a 4,000-square-foot single-story ranch-style home might need 200 linear feet of drain, while a 2,000-square-foot three-story home may only need 120 linear feet or less. Sometimes, perimeter drains run on both the exterior and interior of a house.

Curtain Drain Cost

Curtain drains cost an average of $1,000 to $5,000, or $10 to $25 per linear foot. They're usually installed about two feet deep next to your foundation and slope away from the house. Unlike deep drains, curtain drains only divert surface water like rain and roof runoff, while deep French drains can handle groundwater too.

Cost to Install a French Drain in the Yard

Installing a French drain in your yard costs an average of $30 to $90 per linear foot, or between $2,000 and $10,000 total. They're usually installed to drain off standing water. You might also attach them to buried downspouts or a perimeter drain to move water away from your foundation.

Signs You Need a French Drain

Wondering if you need a French drain? Here are some signs to look out for:

• Your yard is constantly soggy: If your yard turns into a puddle every time it rains, a French drain can help divert excess water and prevent pooling.

• You experience basement flooding: Regular flooding in your basement, even minor, suggests that a French drain could be beneficial.

• Retaining wall issues: If you notice damage to your retaining wall, excess runoff might be the cause. A French drain can help protect it by redirecting water.

• You live in a wet climate: Even without visible flooding, living in an area with heavy rainfall means you might benefit from a French drain to prevent future issues.

French drains aren’t the only solution to flooding problems. Talk to a professional contractor about the cost to install drainage systems and which solution makes sense for your home.

DIY vs. Hire a French Drain Installer

While installing a French drain might seem like a manageable DIY project, it's best to hire a professional French drain installer, especially for drains around your basement or home perimeter. Professionals have the expertise to avoid buried utility lines and ensure proper installation, saving you from costly mistakes.

Remember, before any digging, you're legally required to call 811 to check for underground utilities. A professional will handle this for you, ensuring your project complies with all regulations.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.