A French drain typically costs $10 to $50 per linear foot installed in 2026, with most straightforward yard drains landing between $25 and $45 per foot. A common 50–100 ft run comes in around $1,500–$4,000. Depth, digging conditions, and where the water has to go drive the price.
| Scenario | Installed, per linear foot |
|---|---|
| Shallow yard drain, easy digging | $10–$25 |
| Standard yard French drain | $25–$45 |
| Deep or foundation/footing drain | $45–$100+ |
| Hard soil, rock, or hand-dig | add $10–$30 / ft |
Depth and length. Deeper trenches and longer runs mean more digging, more gravel, and more pipe.
Digging conditions. Rock, clay, roots, or tight access where a machine can’t reach push labor up fast.
Outlet. The water has to daylight somewhere — a pop-up emitter, dry well, or tie-in to storm drainage each add cost.
Materials. Perforated pipe, washed gravel, and filter fabric are the core line items, priced by the foot and the cubic yard.
An 80 ft standard yard French drain at $35/ft is about $2,800. Hit clay soil that forces a hand-dig and add a dry well at the outlet, and the same run can pass $4,500.
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Pricing figures reflect 2026 US market data and industry drainage cost guides. Actual costs vary by region, depth, soil, and site conditions — this page is a guide, not a quote.