French drain cost in California
Statewide estimate from BLS wages and BEA prices. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Statewide range (60 linear ft)
- $740 – $2,600
- Per linear ft
- $12.50 – $43
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +23%
- US $1,350
- Metros covered
- 23
What does it cost to install a French drain in California? Plan on $740 to $2,600 for 60 linear ft. Wages (1.39x the US blend), materials (price index 106.1) and permit costs (110.7) put the state above the national midpoint by 23%.
Inside California, the metros we cover range from $1,450 (Visalia) to $1,900 (San Francisco) at the midpoint. Pick your closest city in the table for a tighter number.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in California (statewide), standard level
$1,300 to $2,050
About $21.50 to $34 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $530 | $840 |
| Labor | $760 | $1,200 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,300 | $2,050 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in California
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $310 | $690 | $1,050 | 41% |
| Labor | $430 | $970 | $1,500 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $740 | $1,650 | $2,600 | 100% |
Weather windows across California
Season matters for French drain. For each California metro below we took NOAA's 1991-2020 monthly normals from the nearest suitable station and counted comfortable months for digging and ground work.
Los Angeles has the longest comfortable season of the metros we cover in California at 12 months; El Centro has the shortest at 6 (November through April). Rainfall runs from 3 inches a year in El Centro to 34 inches in Redding.
We do not adjust prices by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. Timing is still worth raising when you collect bids.
| Metro | Jan avg low °F | Jul avg high °F | Precip (in/yr) | Comfortable months |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 48 | 78 | 14 | 12: all year |
| San Francisco | 47 | 66 | 23 | 12: all year |
| Riverside | 43 | 95 | 10 | 9: October through June |
| San Diego | 46 | 80 | 11 | 12: all year |
| San Jose | 42 | 81 | 13 | 12: all year |
| Sacramento | 41 | 94 | 19 | 10: September through June |
| Fresno | 41 | 98 | 11 | 8: October through May |
| Bakersfield | 41 | 98 | 6 | 8: October through May |
| Oxnard | 46 | 73 | 13 | 12: all year |
| Stockton | 39 | 95 | 17 | 8: October through May |
| Santa Rosa | 38 | 82 | 32 | 12: all year |
| Santa Maria | 41 | 73 | 13 | 12: all year |
| Modesto | 39 | 95 | 12 | 9: September through May |
| Salinas | 42 | 71 | 13 | 12: all year |
| Visalia | 38 | 94 | 10 | 10: September through June |
| Vallejo | 38 | 79 | 20 | 12: all year |
| San Luis Obispo | 41 | 78 | 18 | 12: all year |
| Santa Cruz | 41 | 74 | 31 | 12: all year |
| Merced | 37 | 96 | 12 | 8: October through May |
| Chico | 36 | 95 | 27 | 9: October through June |
| Napa | 40 | 83 | 27 | 12: all year |
| Redding | 38 | 100 | 34 | 8: October through May |
| El Centro | 43 | 107 | 3 | 6: November through April |
French drain cost by metro in California
6 of the 23 metros sit above the statewide midpoint of $1,650, and the top-to-bottom gap is 29%. Each row prices the default size with that metro's own BLS wages and BEA price levels, so the gap between rows is real local variation rather than a flat markup.
| Metro | Range (60 linear ft) | Midpoint | vs. state |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $840 – $2,950 | $1,900 | +14% |
| San Jose, CA | $820 – $2,850 | $1,850 | +11% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $760 – $2,650 | $1,700 | +3% |
| Vallejo, CA | $760 – $2,650 | $1,700 | +2% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $750 – $2,600 | $1,700 | +1% |
| Modesto, CA | $740 – $2,600 | $1,650 | +1% |
| Sacramento, CA | $740 – $2,600 | $1,650 | level |
| Napa, CA | $740 – $2,600 | $1,650 | level |
| Salinas, CA | $730 – $2,550 | $1,650 | −1% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $720 – $2,550 | $1,650 | −2% |
| San Diego, CA | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | −3% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | −3% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | −4% |
| Stockton, CA | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | −4% |
| Riverside, CA | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | −4% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $710 – $2,450 | $1,600 | −4% |
| Oxnard, CA | $710 – $2,450 | $1,600 | −4% |
| Redding, CA | $710 – $2,450 | $1,600 | −5% |
| Fresno, CA | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | −5% |
| Chico, CA | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | −5% |
| Merced, CA | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | −6% |
| El Centro, CA | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −7% |
| Visalia, CA | $650 – $2,300 | $1,450 | −12% |
Quality levels and sizes in California
The cited range is cut into three overlapping bands (basic, standard and premium) and scaled to statewide California wages and prices. The grid prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$740 to $1,500
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,300 to $2,050
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,850 to $2,600
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $370 – $740 | $650 – $1,000 | $920 – $1,300 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $740 – $1,500 | $1,300 – $2,050 | $1,850 – $2,600 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,500 – $2,950 | $2,600 – $4,050 | $3,700 – $5,150 |
California against its neighbors
California ranks 3 of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) for French drain, where 1 is the most expensive. The costliest is Hawaii at $1,850 and the cheapest Arkansas at $1,150, both for 60 linear ft at the midpoint. California sits at $1,650. The five states closest by workforce center are listed below.
French drain: what moves the price in California
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.
Crawl space drains
A crawl space French drain is $2,000-$8,000 installed.
California labor market for French drain
Statewide wages come from BLS's state-level estimates, which blend big cities with small towns and rural areas. 3 trades drive the labor line for this job, and the weighted ratio against the national wage level is 1.39 for California.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $28.98 an hour, 28% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.15 and $37.75 an hour. About 88,240 work in the state. That is 48.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $41.90 an hour, which is 46% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $31.36 and $60.37 an hour. BLS counts 36,020 of them working in the state, 19.8 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Pipelayers (47-2151), 20% of the weighting: a median of $36.63 an hour, 55% above the US median of $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $29.74 and $45.46 an hour. About 1,420 work in the state. That is 0.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
A crew paid at the 75th percentile for construction laborers ($37.75 an hour) would add about $140 to the statewide midpoint; one at the 25th percentile ($23.15) would take off about $90. Use that as a rough guide to how far a bid can sit from our midpoint on wages alone.
BLS counts 18,213,700 jobs across California (May 2025), which is 11.7% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $23.15 | $28.98 | $37.75 | $22.66 | 1.28 | state |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $31.36 | $41.90 | $60.37 | $28.78 | 1.46 | state |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $29.74 | $36.63 | $45.46 | $23.56 | 1.55 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.39 | |||||
If you are planning more than one job in California
The table prices neighboring jobs at their usual sizes using statewide California wages and prices. Against national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (+21%) and sod installation lowest (+12%), because each job leans on different trades.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,200 – $15,200 | +14% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,050 – $12,400 | +21% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,700 – $3,700 | +12% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,750 – $5,800 | +12% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,650 – $11,600 | +16% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $42,500 – $133,000 | +18% |
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Detailed french drain report for California, $9
The report lays out the french drain numbers for California line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. 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 California: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in California?
$740 to $2,600 for 60 linear ft, using statewide wages and prices. Metro areas inside California can sit above or below that.
+Which city in California is cheapest for French drain?
Visalia at about $1,450 (midpoint, 60 linear ft). The priciest is San Francisco at $1,900.
+Is French drain cheaper in California than the US average?
It is 23% more expensive: $1,650 against $1,350 for 60 linear ft at the midpoint.
+What share of the price is labor in California?
About 59% ($970). Materials are 41%. Statewide labor for this job is weighted 1.39x the national wage level.
+What do construction laborers earn in California?
The BLS statewide median is $28.98 an hour, against $22.66 for the US. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.15 to $37.75.
+Where does California rank for French drain costs?
3rd most expensive of 51 (the 50 states plus DC) at the midpoint, $1,650 for 60 linear ft. Rank 1 is the costliest.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in California?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $740 to $1,500 and premium work $1,850 to $2,600. Basic means: shallow yard drain, easy digging. Premium means: deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge.
+Does the season matter for French drain in California?
Yes where winters or summers are hard. Of the California metros we cover, Los Angeles has the most comfortable months (12 of 12) based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Our prices do not change by month, so ask contractors whether they charge more or less in busy and slow seasons.
French drain by city in California
- San Francisco, CA$1,900 midpoint
- San Jose, CA$1,850 midpoint
- Santa Rosa, CA$1,700 midpoint
- Vallejo, CA$1,700 midpoint
- Los Angeles, CA$1,700 midpoint
- Modesto, CA$1,650 midpoint
- Sacramento, CA$1,650 midpoint
- Napa, CA$1,650 midpoint
- Salinas, CA$1,650 midpoint
- San Luis Obispo, CA$1,650 midpoint
- San Diego, CA$1,600 midpoint
- Santa Maria, CA$1,600 midpoint
- Santa Cruz, CA$1,600 midpoint
- Stockton, CA$1,600 midpoint
- Riverside, CA$1,600 midpoint
- Bakersfield, CA$1,600 midpoint
- Oxnard, CA$1,600 midpoint
- Redding, CA$1,600 midpoint
- Fresno, CA$1,600 midpoint
- Chico, CA$1,600 midpoint
- Merced, CA$1,550 midpoint
- El Centro, CA$1,550 midpoint
- Visalia, CA$1,450 midpoint
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.