French Drain Cost Calculator (2026)
By Dan Whitlock, Home Projects Editor · Updated August 2026
A french drain is priced by the linear foot, and the number hinges on where it goes. In 2026, an exterior yard drain runs about $10 to $65 per foot, while an interior basement system runs roughly $40 to $100 per foot because the crew has to break out concrete, install the drain, and re-pour. A typical 100-foot exterior run lands near $2,500 to $6,500. Depth, excavation difficulty, and tying in a sump pump all move the total. Enter your run length below to estimate.
French drain cost at a glance
Installed 2026 prices by drain type, before regional adjustments. Where the drain goes is the biggest swing: an interior basement drain costs roughly double an exterior one per foot because the crew has to break out and re-pour concrete.
| Drain type | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|
| Exterior yard drain (per linear foot) | $10 – $65 |
| Interior / basement perimeter (per linear foot) | $40 – $100 |
| Curtain drain, shallow (per linear foot) | $10 – $50 |
| Typical 100-ft exterior run, installed | $2,500 – $6,500 |
| Add: sump pump tie-in | +$650 – $2,000 |
| Add: deep / footing-level excavation | +30% labor |
Estimate your cost
Total linear feet of drain. A yard run is often 50–150 ft; a basement perimeter depends on the foundation.
Labor and materials swing with local cost of living.
Estimated french drain cost
$2,500 – $6,500
Most homeowners pay around $4,000
Cost breakdown
- 100 × ~$40$4,000
Planning estimate based on 2026 national price data, not a quote. Get local quotes to confirm.
What drives your french drain cost
- Length: excavation, gravel, and pipe all scale with linear feet, so the length of the run is the biggest driver.
- Interior vs. exterior: an interior basement drain costs roughly twice an exterior one per foot because concrete has to be cut and re-poured.
- Depth: a deeper, footing-level trench costs more to dig than a shallow curtain drain, especially in clay or rocky soil.
- Sump pump: adding or tying into a sump pump adds about $650–$2,000 to move collected water away from the foundation.
- Access and finish: tight side yards, landscaping, and patching sod or concrete afterward add labor and restoration cost.
Ready for real numbers?
A calculator gets you the fair range. Local quotes confirm it for your exact home. Comparing 2–3 written quotes from licensed local pros is the single best way to avoid overpaying: ask each for the same scope in writing so the numbers are comparable.
Ways to save
- Solve the problem at the surface first: regrading or extending downspouts is cheaper than a full drain if that’s the real issue.
- An exterior drain costs far less per foot than an interior one, so address grading and outside water before opening the basement floor.
- Get the whole run trenched in one mobilization rather than in phases.
- Handle simple sod removal and cleanup yourself where the crew allows it.
- Combine the drain with a sump pump in one job so the tie-in is priced together, not as a return trip.
Hire it out, or do it yourself?
DIY-able for some: know your limitsA shallow exterior french drain (the kind that intercepts surface water running across a yard or along a driveway) is a hard but achievable DIY job. The materials are not complicated: perforated pipe, drainage gravel, landscape fabric, and a trench. A 50-foot run costs $150–$400 in materials and a weekend of trenching. Rent a walk-behind trencher for $200–$400 per day and the physical labor becomes manageable. DIY saves $1,500–$3,000 on a typical exterior run compared to a professional install.
The calculus changes for depth and location. A drain that has to reach footing level, typically 4 feet or deeper, requires real excavation and waterproofing knowledge, especially close to the foundation. Getting the slope wrong (less than 1% grade toward the outlet) means the drain pools and becomes a mosquito habitat instead of draining. And an interior basement perimeter drain (the type that intercepts water coming through the floor or wall joint) means jackhammering concrete, installing a channel drain against the footing, and re-pouring. That is a licensed waterproofing contractor job, not a weekend project.
The split by project type: DIY for a yard or curtain drain in reasonably soft soil where you can verify the grade and outlet. Hire a professional for anything touching the foundation, any interior system, or any run through clay or rocky soil where a hand-dug trench is not realistic. The professional quote should always include the outlet point: make sure water exits the property, not just relocates to a neighbor's lot.
Helpful products
Taking the DIY route, or doing part of the job yourself? These are the product categories most people buy for this project. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, and it never changes your price.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a french drain cost in 2026?
An exterior yard french drain runs about $10 to $65 per linear foot installed, so a typical 100-foot run lands near $2,500 to $6,500. Interior basement drains cost more per foot.
Why does an interior french drain cost more than an exterior one?
An interior basement drain runs roughly $40–$100 per foot, about double an exterior drain, because the crew must jackhammer out the concrete floor, install the drain, and pour new concrete back over it.
How much does it cost to add a sump pump to a french drain?
Adding or tying in a sump pump typically costs about $650 to $2,000 on top of the drain. It’s often needed when water has to be pumped up and away rather than draining downhill.
What affects french drain cost the most?
Length and location drive the price. A long interior basement system with deep excavation and a sump pump can reach five figures, while a short exterior yard drain is far cheaper.
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Price ranges cross-referenced against these 2026 cost guides and contractor databases:
The drain moves groundwater to a collection point at the lowest spot of the system. If that point is a sump pit, the pump is the last line of defense that actually empties it, and a failed pump during a heavy storm is what a french drain alone cannot protect you from.
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