A French drain costs $10 to $100 per linear foot installed in 2026
A French drain costs $10 to $35 per linear foot for a shallow exterior yard drain in 2026. A deep exterior drain at the foundation footing is $30 to $90 a foot. An interior basement drain is $40 to $100 a foot because the crew has to cut and patch the concrete floor. The average project is about $5,000, and most homeowners spend $2,000 to $15,000 depending on the type and length. HomeGuide lists exterior French drains at $10 to $35 per linear foot and interior drains at $40 to $85.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists exterior French drains at $10 to $35 per linear foot and interior drains at $40 to $85. |
| LawnStarter | LawnStarter lists exterior drains at $10 to $65 per linear foot and interior drains at $40 to $100, with an average cost of $5,000. |
| HomeCostLab | HomeCostLab lists exterior drains at $20 to $45 per linear foot and interior drains at $40 to $75, and says most owners spend $2,000 to $15,000. |
| HomeAdvisor | HomeAdvisor lists $10 to $100 per linear foot with an average cost of $9,250. |
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The type | Shallow yard drain $10 to $35. Curtain drain $10 to $25. Deep exterior footing drain $30 to $90. Interior basement drain $40 to $100. |
| The length | A 50 foot yard drain is $500 to $1,750. A 100 foot interior drain is $4,000 to $10,000. |
| The depth | Deeper trenches need an excavator and more gravel. |
| Soil and access | Clay, rock, tree roots and tight side yards slow the dig. |
| Add ons | A sump pump adds $500 to $2,000. Interior drain with pump runs $55 to $100 a foot. Landscape repair after an exterior dig can add $1,000 or more. |
What the price includes
An exterior quote covers the trench, landscape fabric, perforated pipe, gravel backfill and a discharge point. An interior quote covers cutting the slab, the pipe and gravel, a sump pit and re-pouring the concrete. The sump pump, downspout tie ins and lawn or patio restoration are usually extra. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
DIY or hire a pro
A shallow yard drain is a job many homeowners can do. You dig a sloped trench, line it with fabric, add pipe and cover it with gravel. The work is hard and slow, and the slope must be right or the water will not move. Hire a pro for a deep drain at the foundation or for a drain inside the basement. Those jobs need heavy gear and a crew to cut the concrete floor. A pro also knows where buried pipes and wires run.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if the quote is for an outside drain or an inside drain, since inside costs more.
- Ask for the trench depth, the pipe type and how much gravel they will use.
- Ask where the water will go, such as a dry well, a slope or a storm drain.
- A fair quote lists a price per foot, the total length and the cost to fix the lawn after.
- Compare the total with the range above: $10 to $100 per linear foot installed for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Fix gutters and downspouts first. Extending downspouts 6 to 10 feet solves many wet basements for under $100.
- Dig a shallow yard drain yourself. Materials are $0.70 to $3 a foot for pipe plus gravel.
- Get three quotes and ask each for the trench depth and gravel amount. Cheap quotes skimp on both.
- Ask for an exterior option before agreeing to an interior drain. Outside is cheaper when the yard allows it.
Why this costs more in 2026
French drains are mostly digging and gravel, and both got dearer in 2026. Excavators run on diesel, which hit record prices after the oil shock that began in February 2026. Gravel is sold by the delivered ton, so fuel costs land on every load. Heavier rain events in many states also keep drainage crews booked out, which holds prices up.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from HomeGuide, LawnStarter, HomeCostLab and HomeAdvisor. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a French drain cost per foot?
HomeGuide lists $10 to $35 per linear foot outside and $40 to $85 inside. This guide shows a full range of $10 to $100.
How much does a whole project cost?
LawnStarter lists an average of $5,000. HomeCostLab says most owners spend $2,000 to $15,000.
Is a French drain worth it?
It is worth it if water pools in your yard or in your basement. It moves water away from the house and helps protect the foundation.
Can I dig one myself?
A shallow yard drain is a common DIY job. Deep drains and basement drains need a pro.