These are published price ranges for professionally installed yard drainage, with the source named on every line. National guides set the baseline; a Bay Area contractor's 2026 guide shows where local jobs tend to land. None of them is a quote. The only price that applies to your yard is a written quote from a contractor who has walked it.
French drain cost per linear foot
| Type of drain | Per linear foot | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior / yard French drain | $10–$35 | H |
| Surface-level yard drain | $10–$30 | H |
| Curtain (interceptor) or shallow drain | $10–$35; $10–$25 | H; BV |
| French drain, all yard types | $20–$50 | A |
| Exterior perimeter (around the house) | $30–$90; $50–$80 | H; BV |
| Deep drain | $30–$70 | BV |
| Bay Area, shallow yard drain (18–24 in) | $35–$55 | CC |
| Bay Area, foundation-grade drain (24–36 in+) | $55–$85 | CC |
| Bay Area, hillside or deep subsurface (36 in+) | $75–$100+ | CC |
The Bay Area guide attributes most of the gap to labor: it says roughly 60% of a French drain quote is excavation, and that crews move about half as fast through dense clay as through sandy soil. East County's clay and clay-loam soils fall on the slow side of that, so local quotes often sit above national averages.
Typical totals by length
| Length | National (H) | Bay Area shallow drain (CC rate × length) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | $500–$1,800 | $1,750–$2,750 |
| 100 ft | $1,000–$3,500 | $3,500–$5,500 |
| 150 ft | $1,500–$5,300 | $5,250–$8,250 |
| 200 ft | $2,000–$7,000 | $7,000–$11,000 |
For overall project totals: Angi's 2026 data averages $4,633 for yard drainage projects, with most between $2,146 and $7,173, and French drains specifically at about $2,000–$7,000. Bob Vila (2024) gives a national French drain average of about $5,000. The Bay Area guide says most local projects land between $3,500 and $13,500.
Related drainage costs
| Item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dry well, installed | $1,000–$4,000 | A |
| Dry well materials: gravel pit / plastic chamber / concrete tank | $50–$250 / $200–$700 / $500–$3,000+ | H |
| Catch basin, installed | $600–$2,000 | A |
| Trench (channel) drain | $30–$70 per ft | A |
| Swale | $5–$15 per ft; $800–$3,000 total | A |
| Yard regrading | $500–$5,000 | H |
| Sump pump (installed) | $500–$1,800 | H |
| French drain cleaning | $80–$500+ | H |
| Drainage repairs: minor / major | $200–$700 / $1,000–$3,000 | A |
| Percolation test (for dry wells) | $600–$2,000 | H |
| Permits, where required | $100–$375; $50–$100 | H; BV |
What pushes the price up or down
- Length and depth. Price scales with linear feet, and deeper trenches cost more per foot.
- Soil. Clay is slow to dig and haul. Rock or hardpan is slower still.
- Access. Narrow side yards, fences, and no room for a mini-excavator mean hand digging.
- Hardscape. Cutting and patching concrete or pavers to cross a patio or walkway adds cost.
- The outlet. A short run to daylight is cheap. A long run to the curb, or a dry well, adds pipe, digging, and sometimes a permit.
- Pipe and materials. HomeGuide lists corrugated pipe at about $1–$3 per foot and PVC at $1.20–$5, with gravel and fabric on top.
- Restoration. Sod, irrigation repair, and replanting may be in the price or extra. Ask.
- Extras. Catch basins, cleanouts, downspout connections, and pop-up emitters each add a line.
DIY versus hiring a contractor
The materials for a short French drain are not expensive; the trench is the job. A shallow drain in a small lawn is a realistic weekend project for some homeowners. Long runs, foundation-edge drains, deep or hillside work, anything that crosses concrete, and anything where the outlet is in question are where a contractor's equipment and experience pay off. Either way, utilities must be marked first: California's 811 service is free, and its operator says notice is required at least two working days before digging.
How to read a drainage quote
- It includes a drawing with the route, linear feet, and the outlet.
- It states depth, pipe type and size, gravel, and filter fabric.
- It lists every inlet and extra: catch basins, downspout connections, cleanouts.
- It says what restoration is included.
- It states the warranty and payment schedule.
- The contractor's license number is on it. Verify it at cslb.ca.gov (opens in a new tab).
The full comparison checklist is on choosing a yard drainage contractor. Whether a French drain is the right fix at all is covered in French drain pros, cons and alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to install 100 feet of French drain?
HomeGuide (2026) puts a 100-foot exterior yard drain at about $1,000–$3,500 nationally. At a Bay Area contractor's published $35–$55 per foot for shallow drains, the same 100 feet works out to $3,500–$5,500. Deeper or foundation-grade drains cost more.
How much does a 200-foot French drain cost?
About $2,000–$7,000 at HomeGuide's national exterior rate, and roughly $7,000–$11,000 at the Bay Area guide's shallow-drain rate. Long runs often qualify for a lower per-foot price, so get it quoted.
How much is a 50-foot French drain?
About $500–$1,800 at HomeGuide's national rate, and about $1,750–$2,750 at the Bay Area guide's shallow-drain rate.
Are French drains worth the money?
When the water is moving through the soil and there's a real outlet, yes: it solves a problem that otherwise comes back every winter. When the problem is roof water or a yard sloping toward the house, cheaper fixes often work better. See French drain pros, cons and alternatives.
Are these prices specific to Brentwood?
No. National figures come from HomeGuide, Angi, and Bob Vila; the Bay Area figures come from one local contractor's published 2026 guide. Only a written quote from a contractor who has seen your yard reflects your job.
Cost ranges and technical notes on this page are general information from the sources named, not a quote or professional advice. Prices vary by yard, soil and drain design; get a written quote for your property. See the disclaimer and cost sources.