French drain cost in Phoenix, AZ
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $610 – $2,100
- Per linear ft
- $10 – $35.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #127
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a French drain in the Phoenix area: $610 to $2,100 for 60 linear ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint lands close to the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $22.56 an hour in the Phoenix area, 0% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Phoenix, AZ, standard level
$1,050 to $1,650
About $17.50 to $28 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $480 | $750 |
| Labor | $580 | $920 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,050 | $1,650 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Phoenix, AZ
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $270 | $620 | $960 | 45% |
| Labor | $330 | $750 | $1,150 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $610 | $1,350 | $2,100 | 100% |
Where the Phoenix price comes from
Labor is 55% of the midpoint bill here, against 52% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (50%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (30%), pipelayers (20%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Phoenix the blended ratio comes out at 1.07.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Phoenix is at 95.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $650 nationally becomes $620 here (midpoint, 60 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 103.3: $0 to $0.
Pick a size, pick a tier: french drain pricing in Phoenix
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Phoenix. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from short run (30 linear ft) to long run (120 linear ft).
Basic
$610 to $1,200
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,050 to $1,650
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,500 to $2,100
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $300 – $610 | $530 – $830 | $760 – $1,050 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $610 – $1,200 | $1,050 – $1,650 | $1,500 – $2,100 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,200 – $2,450 | $2,100 – $3,350 | $3,050 – $4,250 |
Who does the work: Phoenix trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 3 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Phoenix the blend is 1.07.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.56 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.79 and $24.90 an hour. BLS counts 29,230 of them working in the area, 123.0 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $30.07 an hour, 4% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $25.19 and $32.47 an hour. About 7,980 work in the metro. That is 33.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For pipelayers (47-2151, weighted 20%) the local median is $30.29 an hour, which is 29% above the national $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $29.33 and $32.64 an hour. BLS counts 400 of them working in the area, 1.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $35 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $45. That is a swing of roughly 3.1% to 2.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler has 2,375,760 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 11th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $19.79 | $22.56 | $24.90 | $22.66 | 1.00 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $25.19 | $30.07 | $32.47 | $28.78 | 1.04 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $29.33 | $30.29 | $32.64 | $23.56 | 1.29 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.07 | |||||
French drain: what moves the price in Phoenix
Exterior versus interior
A shallow exterior French drain is $10-$35 per linear foot; an interior basement drain is $40-$85 per foot, or $4,000-$17,000 installed (HomeGuide).
Where the water goes
A sump pump adds $500-$1,800 and a dry well $50-$3,000+. Discharging to a storm drain can mean extra permit fees.
Depth and soil
Rocky or clay soil and long trenches raise excavation time.
Phoenix against nearby metros and the rest of Arizona
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 60 linear ft range from $1,300 to $1,550 across Phoenix and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, AZthis page | $610 – $2,100 | $1,350 | |
| Tucson, AZ75 miles | $580 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −5% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ105 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | level |
| Yuma, AZ110 miles | $590 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −4% |
| Flagstaff, AZ185 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −1% |
| El Centro, CA190 miles | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | +13% |
| Arizona (statewide) | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −1% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Phoenix ranks #127 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Phoenix is 1% above the Arizona figure.
Elsewhere in Arizona
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | 389,630 jobs | $580 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −5% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | 72,300 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | level |
| Yuma, AZ | 68,880 jobs | $590 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −4% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 66,610 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −1% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | 56,490 jobs | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Phoenix against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | +17% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $840 – $2,950 | $1,900 | +39% |
| Miami, FL | 2,819,940 jobs | $590 – $2,050 | $1,350 | −3% |
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $750 – $2,650 | $1,700 | +24% |
The best months for French drain in Phoenix
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Phoenix Deer Valley Muni Ap (10 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Phoenix are October through April: 7 of 12. Outside them, May, June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Phoenix gets about 9 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and March (1.2 inches in February). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 0.3 and 0.7 inches. The station averages about 159 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 65 | 44 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Feb | 68 | 46 | 1.2 | Workable |
| Mar | 75 | 51 | 1.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 83 | 57 | 0.3 | Workable |
| May | 92 | 65 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Jun | 102 | 73 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Jul | 104 | 81 | 0.8 | Hot |
| Aug | 103 | 81 | 1.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 98 | 75 | 0.7 | Hot |
| Oct | 86 | 63 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 74 | 51 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 64 | 43 | 0.8 | Workable |
What nearby projects cost in Phoenix
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Phoenix wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (−1%) and retaining wall lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,850 – $13,000 | −3% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $10,100 | −1% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,250 | −2% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,400 – $5,100 | −1% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,900 – $9,800 | −2% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $35,300 – $110,500 | −2% |
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French drain in Phoenix: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Phoenix?
For 60 linear ft, expect $610 to $2,100 in the Phoenix area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,050 to $1,650. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Phoenix?
About $10 to $35.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $0 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $10 to $35.
+Is French drain cheaper in Phoenix or Tucson?
Tucson is 75 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,300, which is 5% less than Phoenix ($1,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Phoenix?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $750 out of $1,350. Materials are 45% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Phoenix?
$610 to $2,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Phoenix?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $0 for fees in the Phoenix area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Phoenix expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Arizona?
Phoenix is 1% above the Arizona statewide estimate ($1,350 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Arizona; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Phoenix?
The BLS median is $22.56 an hour in the Phoenix area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.79 to $24.90.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Phoenix?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $610 to $1,200 and premium work $1,500 to $2,100. Basic means: shallow yard drain, easy digging. Premium means: deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge.
+When is the best time to install a French drain in Phoenix?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through April. April and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
French drain near Phoenix
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a French Drain Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 48% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Outdoor Living' category split (44% labor, 48% materials). It is a category average, not a French-drain figure, so the materials line here is a rough one.