French drain cost in Fayetteville, AR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $530 – $1,850
- Per linear ft
- $8.75 – $30.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −12%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #282
- 1 = most expensive
Fayetteville homeowners pay roughly $530 to $1,850 to install a French drain at 60 linear ft, or $8.75 to $30.50 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Fayetteville is 12% lower. Construction laborers earn a median of $18.93 an hour in the Fayetteville area, 16% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Fayetteville, AR, standard level
$920 to $1,450
About $15.50 to $24 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $470 | $740 |
| Labor | $450 | $700 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $920 | $1,450 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Fayetteville, AR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $270 | $610 | $940 | 51% |
| Labor | $260 | $580 | $900 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $530 | $1,200 | $1,850 | 100% |
What is behind the Fayetteville number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: construction laborers at 50%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%, pipelayers at 20%. Weighted together, Fayetteville wages are 0.82 times the national level. Labor makes up about 49% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Fayetteville metro is 93.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 60 linear ft comes to $610, compared with $650 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (91.4) and land at $0 to $0.
When to schedule French drain in Fayetteville
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Fayetteville Drake Fld (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Fayetteville (9 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 94 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Fayetteville gets about 47 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 7 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and October (5.9 inches in May). Inside the workable window, August and November are the driest, at 3.2 and 3.7 inches. The station averages about 41 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48 | 25 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 52 | 29 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 61 | 36 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 70 | 45 | 5.0 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 54 | 5.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 63 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 89 | 67 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 89 | 65 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 82 | 57 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Oct | 71 | 45 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 59 | 35 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Dec | 50 | 28 | 3.1 | Cold |
What nearby projects cost in Fayetteville
Because every project leans on different trades, Fayetteville's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sod installation runs −6% and sprinkler system −12%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,450 – $12,400 | −8% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,200 – $9,050 | −11% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,100 | −6% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,150 – $4,650 | −11% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,500 – $8,800 | −12% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $32,300 – $101,000 | −10% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Fayetteville bid
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.
Crawl space drains
A crawl space French drain is $2,000-$8,000 installed.
Cost by quality level and size in Fayetteville
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Fayetteville wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$530 to $1,050
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$920 to $1,450
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,300 to $1,850
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $260 – $530 | $460 – $720 | $660 – $920 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $530 – $1,050 | $920 – $1,450 | $1,300 – $1,850 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,050 – $2,100 | $1,850 – $2,900 | $2,650 – $3,700 |
Local wages behind the labor line
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Fayetteville is 0.82 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $18.93 an hour, 16% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.66 and $22.44 an hour. About 2,190 work in the metro. That is 79.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $24.08 an hour, which is 16% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.16 and $25.79 an hour. BLS counts 900 of them working in the area, 32.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Pipelayers (47-2151), 20% of the weighting: a median of $17.80 an hour, 24% below the US median of $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $17.80 and $21.10 an hour. About 100 work in the metro. That is 3.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($22.44 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $55. At the 25th percentile ($17.66) it shrinks by about $20. The total moves by 4.6% or 1.7%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 275,180 jobs in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers area. That makes it the 93rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.18% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $17.66 | $18.93 | $22.44 | $22.66 | 0.84 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.16 | $24.08 | $25.79 | $28.78 | 0.84 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $17.80 | $17.80 | $21.10 | $23.56 | 0.76 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.82 | |||||
Is Fayetteville cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Fayetteville. Fort Smith is the lowest at about $1,150 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 50 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, ARthis page | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | |
| Fort Smith, AR50 miles | $510 – $1,750 | $1,150 | −4% |
| Joplin, MO70 miles | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | +11% |
| Springfield, MO100 miles | $580 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +10% |
| Tulsa, OK115 miles | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | +4% |
| Little Rock, AR135 miles | $510 – $1,800 | $1,150 | −2% |
| Arkansas (statewide) | $510 – $1,800 | $1,150 | −3% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +14% |
Across 300 US metros, Fayetteville comes in at #282 from the top. The priciest is San Francisco, CA at $1,900; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $1,100 (midpoints, 60 linear ft). Statewide, Fayetteville is 3% above the Arkansas figure.
Other Arkansas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $510 – $1,800 | $1,150 | −2% |
| Fort Smith, AR | 95,560 jobs | $510 – $1,750 | $1,150 | −4% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $510 – $1,800 | $1,150 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Fayetteville's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fayetteville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reno, NV | 275,680 jobs | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | +23% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +5% |
| New Haven, CT | 281,410 jobs | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +27% |
| Ogden, UT | 271,370 jobs | $590 – $2,050 | $1,350 | +12% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $920 to $1,450 for Fayetteville, AR is attached.
Detailed french drain report for Fayetteville, AR, $9
Multi-page report for Fayetteville, AR: low, typical and high cost, a line-item breakdown of materials and labor by trade, permit notes, the best months to schedule, a quote comparison sheet, red flags, questions for contractors, checklists and every source. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
French drain in Fayetteville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Fayetteville?
For 60 linear ft, expect $530 to $1,850 in the Fayetteville area. A standard-spec job lands at $920 to $1,450. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Fayetteville?
About $8.75 to $30.50 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 Fayetteville or Fort Smith?
Fort Smith is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,150, which is 4% less than Fayetteville ($1,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fayetteville?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $580 out of $1,200. Materials are 51% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Fayetteville?
$530 to $1,850. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Fayetteville?
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 Fayetteville area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fayetteville expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Arkansas?
Fayetteville is 3% above the Arkansas statewide estimate ($1,150 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Arkansas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Fayetteville?
The BLS median is $18.93 an hour in the Fayetteville area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.66 to $22.44.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Fayetteville?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $530 to $1,050 and premium work $1,300 to $1,850. 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 Fayetteville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. August and November 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 Fayetteville
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.