How much does a French drain cost?
An installed yard French drain costs $20–$45 per foot nationally (as of Oct 2026). Length, ground, machine access, slope and the outlet move the price per foot. If the water comes down a slope, a curtain drain ($10–$35/ft) is often cheaper; if it sits against the foundation, you need an exterior footing drain ($30–$90/ft).
- Collect the waterA trench lined with filter fabric holds clean gravel and a perforated pipe. Water in soggy soil seeps into the gravel and pipe.
- Keep roof water separateDownspout water runs in its own solid pipe so it doesn't overload the drain.
- Let it out at lower groundThe pipe slopes to an outlet, here a pop-up emitter. A pro checks that the outlet can take the water.
French drain cost by length
| Length | Range | Typical* |
|---|---|---|
| 25 ft | $420–$1,300 | $810 |
| 50 ft | $850–$2,590 | $1,630 |
| 100 ft | $1,700–$5,180 | $3,250 |
| 150 ft | $2,550–$7,770 | $4,880 |
*Typical is the midpoint of the published low and high rate. Includes a 15% allowance on length, with the terrain measured.
Sources
S&S Excavation — published Kansas City French drain rates, checked Oct 26, 2026.
A worked example
80 ft across lawn with open access, a pop-up outlet and terrain measured: $1,390–$4,230, typical $2,660. See the calculation and work lines.
What's in the price
In the price
- Digging the trench
- Filter fabric, washed gravel and perforated pipe
- Backfilling over the pipe
- Running the pipe to the outlet
Added or excluded
- The outlet: pop-up $30–$85, dry well $300–$1,500
- Lawn repair: new sod $0.90–$1.80 per ft²
- Excluded: permits, engineering, utility relocation, structural repair, taxes.
What moves the price
These are the calculator's own adjustments. Length matters most; the rest move the price per foot.
Ground over the route
- LawnBase price
- Gravel+10%
- Pavers+40%
- Concrete+60%
Access to the yard
- A mini excavator can reachBase price
- Tight, partly dug by hand+20%
- Dug by hand only+45%
Where the water goes
- Pop-up outlet$30–$85
- Dry well$300–$1,500
- Pump outlet, if needed$600–$2,500
Added once per drain. An outlet you already have adds nothing.
Slope and lawn
- Steep or uneven groundup to +50%
- Slope not measuredrange 10% wider
- New sod$0.90–$1.80 per ft²
Depth and soil are checked on site. They don't change the estimate.
French drain or something else?
The cheapest drain is the one that fits the water. Check where it comes from before you price a French drain.
Curtain drainWater runs down a slope from higher ground into your yard.
Exterior footing drainWater collects against the foundation or seeps into the basement.
Underground downspout drainageThe wet spot sits under a downspout.
More drainage options
Ways to keep the cost down
- Pick the shortest route to an outlet
You pay by the foot, so a closer outlet saves the most.
- Route it under lawn, not paving
Through pavers the per-foot price runs about 40% higher, through concrete about 60%.
- Clear a way in for a mini excavator
Digging by hand only costs about 45% more than a yard a machine can reach.
- Seed the strip yourself
New sod adds $0.90–$1.80 per ft². Seeding the trench line yourself is cheaper.
- Compare quotes with the same scope
Same length, route, outlet and lawn repair in every quote, so the prices line up.
Questions to ask before you hire
- 1How will the pipe slope, and where does the water leave?
The outlet decides whether the drain works. Ask to see it on the route.
- 2Is a permit needed, and who gets it?
Rules differ by city. Get the answer in writing.
- 3What fabric, gravel and pipe go in?
Ask for each in the written quote, so quotes compare like for like.
- 4How is the lawn put back?
Sod, seed or bare soil changes both the price and the result.
- 5What does the written quote include?
Length, route, outlet, materials, cleanup and the payment schedule.