Find out French drain installation costs by length in 2026. Interior vs exterior drainage compared. Free guide.
French drain installation costs $20-$30 per linear foot for a standard exterior drain — making a 50-foot drain run $1,000-$1,500 as a DIY project or $2,000-$4,000 professionally installed. Interior basement French drains with sump pump cost $5,000-$15,000. French drains solve yard flooding and basement water problems that damage foundations and reduce home value.
Installation cost ranges: Exterior yard French drain (50 linear feet): $1,000-$2,500 DIY, $2,000-$5,000 professional. Exterior drain around foundation: $2,500-$8,000 depending on length. Interior basement perimeter drain: $5,000-$15,000 including sump pump and concrete cutting. Driveway curtain drain: $1,500-$4,000. Downspout extension with French drain: $500-$1,500. Cost per linear foot: $20-$100 depending on depth and access difficulty.
Drainage options compared: French drain: $20-$100/linear ft — best for continuous water management. Surface swale: $5-$15/linear ft — shallow grade change, least expensive. Dry creek bed: $20-$50/linear ft — attractive and functional. Catch basin and pipe: $500-$2,000 — collects concentrated flow. Sump pump only: $500-$1,500 — addresses basement water but not yard drainage. Most effective: combination approach addressing both surface and subsurface water.
French drain permit requirements: Varies by jurisdiction. Usually NOT required: simple yard drainage French drain. Usually required: interior basement drainage system, work near foundation, connecting to public storm sewer. Always check: local building department before digging near foundation. Call 811: required before any digging — locate all utilities. HOA rules: may restrict gravel or rock in visible areas.
DIY French drain feasibility: Yes for exterior yard drain — popular DIY project. Savings: $1,000-$2,000. Required: trenching shovel or rented trencher ($200-$400/day), perforated pipe, gravel or drainage rock, landscape fabric. Key to success: proper slope (minimum 1% grade, 1 inch per 8 feet), outlet to daylight or storm drain. Interior basement drain: hire professional — concrete cutting and sump pump installation is complex.
French drain lifespan: Well-installed exterior drain: 30-40 years. Interior basement system: 30-50 years. What reduces lifespan: silt and clay particles clogging perforations (landscape fabric prevents this), root intrusion from nearby trees. Maintenance: flush annually with garden hose to clear debris. Signs of clogging: water not draining as effectively as before — flush or professional cleaning $200-$500.
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