What a French drain costs
Fixr puts the national average for French drain installation at about $5,000, with most projects between $2,800 and $6,500. The low end is a short yard drain. The high end is a full basement perimeter system, which Fixr says can reach $18,000.
The price per foot depends mostly on where the drain goes:
| Drain type | Installed cost per linear foot | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Interior basement drain (drain tile) | $40 to $85 | HomeGuide |
| Interior basement drain | $40 to $100 | Fixr |
| Interior perimeter drain (as part of waterproofing) | $40 to $120 | Fixr |
| Exterior yard drain (shallow) | $10 to $35 | HomeGuide |
| Exterior deep perimeter drain (weeping tile) | $30 to $90 | HomeGuide |
| Exterior footing drain | $80 to $100 | Fixr |
An interior drain tile system and an interior French drain are the same thing. Contractors use both names, and so does HomeGuide.
Interior drain tile vs exterior French drain
Interior drain tile. The crew cuts a channel in the basement floor along the walls, lays perforated pipe in gravel and patches the floor. The pipe carries water to a sump pit, where a pump sends it outside. Fixr notes that an interior drain needs a sump pump to work. Because the work happens inside, the yard and landscaping stay untouched.
Exterior French drain or footing drain. The crew excavates outside the foundation down to the footing and lays pipe in gravel at that level. The job often includes damp-proofing the outside of the wall while it is exposed. Fixr says a shallow exterior drain runs $10 to $50 per foot, while a deep footing drain runs $80 to $100. The difference comes from how far down the crew has to dig.
Which is right?
- Choose interior drain tile when water comes in where the wall meets the floor, the yard is landscaped or tight to the neighbor, or you want a lower total price.
- Choose exterior work when walls need outside waterproofing anyway, the basement is finished and you don't want the floor opened, or the foundation is already being excavated for repairs.
- For a soggy yard that doesn't reach the basement, a shallow yard drain is the cheapest fix.
Not sure where the water comes from? Read why is my basement wet first. A crack or a gutter problem may be the real cause.
What drives the price
- Length. Contractors price these jobs by the linear foot, so a full perimeter costs far more than one wall.
- Depth and digging. Fixr says labor is the larger share of the cost. On a typical interior drain, labor runs about $35 to $40 of a $50 per foot price.
- Access. Finished walls, built-ins and furnaces near the wall add tear-out and rebuild time. Outside, decks, patios, driveways and landscaping have to come out and go back.
- Sump pump and discharge. HomeGuide lists an installed sump pump at $500 to $1,800 when the job needs one. A new pit and discharge line add to that.
- Permits. Fixr says permits often add $75 to $500. De Pere requires a plumbing permit for foundation drain and sump work, and Ashwaubenon's code does not treat replacing plumbing equipment as an exempt ordinary repair. See the service area pages for local offices.
Typical totals for a Green Bay-size basement
Basement shapes vary, so start from the perimeter. A 1,000 square foot basement measuring 25 by 40 feet has about 130 feet of wall. Applying the published per-foot ranges:
| Scope | Length | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Interior drain tile, one wall | 40 ft | $1,600 to $3,400 (HomeGuide $40 to $85/ft) |
| Interior drain tile, full perimeter | 130 ft | $5,200 to $11,050 (HomeGuide $40 to $85/ft) |
| Exterior deep perimeter drain | 130 ft | $3,900 to $11,700 (HomeGuide $30 to $90/ft) |
| Exterior footing drain | 130 ft | $10,400 to $13,000 (Fixr $80 to $100/ft) |
Add a sump pump if you don't already have a working one, plus permit fees and any finish work. Fixr's sample interior job of 100 feet came to $5,000 to $6,000, which lines up with these ranges.
Two local factors can change the number. Several communities here, including De Pere, now require foundation drains to be disconnected from the sanitary sewer and routed to a sump pump, and De Pere offers a partial cost share. Kaukauna requires a clear water inspection before a home is sold. Either rule may decide the scope for you. For a fuller budget, see the basement waterproofing cost guide.
How long installation takes
Fixr says a waterproofing job that combines an excavated French drain with interior work like a sump pump takes two to three days. A single-wall interior run is often shorter. Exterior work takes longer when decks, patios or landscaping have to come out first.
Plan for these steps:
- Site visit and quote, including where the water will discharge.
- Permit, if required, pulled by the contractor or plumber.
- Excavation or floor cutting, pipe and gravel, then the sump pit and pump.
- Inspection where the permit calls for one, then patching or backfill.
Getting accurate quotes
Ask each contractor to put the following in writing: the linear feet, the pipe and gravel spec, whether the price includes a sump pump and pit, where the discharge line will end, who pulls the permit, and how the floor or yard will be restored. That makes quotes easy to compare line by line.
To rough out your budget, use the basement estimator. When you are ready, send your address and a short description through the quote form on the home page. Independent local contractors quote you directly. Related services: interior drain tile and sump and exterior waterproofing.