French drain cost in Fresno, CA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $700 – $2,450
- Per linear ft
- $11.50 – $41
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +17%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #33
- 1 = most expensive
Fresno homeowners pay roughly $700 to $2,450 to install a French drain at 60 linear ft, or $11.50 to $41 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Fresno is 17% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $26.50 an hour in the Fresno area, 17% above the US median of $22.66.
Estimate your french drain cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Fresno, CA, standard level
$1,250 to $1,950
About $20.50 to $32.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $530 | $830 |
| Labor | $700 | $1,100 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,250 | $1,950 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Fresno, CA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $300 | $680 | $1,050 | 43% |
| Labor | $400 | $900 | $1,400 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $700 | $1,600 | $2,450 | 100% |
Where the Fresno price comes from
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, Fresno wages are 1.29 times the national level. Labor makes up about 57% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Fresno metro is 105.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 60 linear ft comes to $680, compared with $650 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (102.2) and land at $0 to $0.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Fresno. The wage table below marks each row.
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 Fresno is 1.29 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $26.50 an hour, 17% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.16 and $36.70 an hour. About 2,660 work in the metro. That is 55.8 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 $37.65 an hour, which is 31% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.55 and $59.69 an hour. BLS counts 1,290 of them working in the area, 27.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Pipelayers (47-2151) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Fresno metro, so we used the California statewide median: $36.63 an hour against $23.56 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $29.74 and $45.46 an hour.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($36.70 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $160. At the 25th percentile ($22.16) it shrinks by about $65. The total moves by 10.0% or 4.2%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 476,890 jobs in the Fresno area. That makes it the 53rd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.31% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $22.16 | $26.50 | $36.70 | $22.66 | 1.17 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $29.55 | $37.65 | $59.69 | $28.78 | 1.31 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $29.74 | $36.63 | $45.46 | $23.56 | 1.55 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.29 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Fresno
Because every project leans on different trades, Fresno's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +14% and sod installation +6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,900 – $14,700 | +10% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,850 – $11,700 | +14% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,600 – $3,500 | +6% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,550 | +7% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,400 – $10,900 | +9% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $40,500 – $126,500 | +12% |
Fresno against nearby metros and the rest of California
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Fresno. Visalia is the lowest at about $1,450 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno, CAthis page | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | |
| Merced, CA60 miles | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | −1% |
| Visalia, CA65 miles | $650 – $2,300 | $1,450 | −7% |
| Modesto, CA85 miles | $740 – $2,600 | $1,650 | +5% |
| San Jose, CA95 miles | $820 – $2,850 | $1,850 | +16% |
| Salinas, CA100 miles | $730 – $2,550 | $1,650 | +4% |
| California (statewide) | $740 – $2,600 | $1,650 | +5% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −15% |
Across 300 US metros, Fresno comes in at #33 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, Fresno is 5% below the California figure.
Other California metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 6,271,560 jobs | $750 – $2,600 | $1,700 | +6% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $840 – $2,950 | $1,900 | +20% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | +1% |
| San Diego, CA | 1,538,060 jobs | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | +1% |
| San Jose, CA | 1,134,970 jobs | $820 – $2,850 | $1,850 | +16% |
| Sacramento, CA | 1,080,590 jobs | $740 – $2,600 | $1,650 | +5% |
Cities with a workforce like Fresno's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fresno against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | 494,280 jobs | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −9% |
| Tulsa, OK | 458,730 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −23% |
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $590 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −16% |
| Albany, NY | 449,410 jobs | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −3% |
When to schedule French drain in Fresno
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Fresno Yosemite Intl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
October through May is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Fresno (8 of 12 months). June, July, August and September have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Fresno gets about 11 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, February and March (2.2 inches in January). Inside the workable window, May and October are the driest, at 0.4 and 0.6 inches. The station averages about 113 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 | 55 | 41 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Feb | 61 | 43 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 68 | 47 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 74 | 51 | 1.0 | Workable |
| May | 83 | 58 | 0.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 91 | 64 | 0.2 | Hot |
| Jul | 98 | 69 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 97 | 68 | 0.0 | Hot |
| Sep | 91 | 63 | 0.1 | Hot |
| Oct | 79 | 55 | 0.6 | Workable |
| Nov | 65 | 45 | 0.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 55 | 40 | 1.8 | Workable |
French drain: what moves the price in Fresno
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.
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).
Fresno: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Fresno 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
$700 to $1,400
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,250 to $1,950
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,750 to $2,450
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $350 – $700 | $620 – $970 | $880 – $1,250 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $700 – $1,400 | $1,250 – $1,950 | $1,750 – $2,450 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,400 – $2,800 | $2,450 – $3,900 | $3,500 – $4,950 |
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 $1,250 to $1,950 for Fresno, CA is attached.
Detailed french drain report for Fresno, CA, $9
Multi-page report for Fresno, CA: 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 Fresno: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Fresno?
For 60 linear ft, expect $700 to $2,450 in the Fresno area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,250 to $1,950. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Fresno?
About $11.50 to $41 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 Fresno or Merced?
Merced is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,550, which is 1% less than Fresno ($1,600). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fresno?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $900 out of $1,600. Materials are 43% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Fresno?
$700 to $2,450. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Fresno?
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 Fresno area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fresno expensive for French drain compared with the rest of California?
Fresno is 5% below the California statewide estimate ($1,650 at the midpoint). We cover 23 metros in California; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Fresno?
The BLS median is $26.50 an hour in the Fresno area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.16 to $36.70.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Fresno?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $700 to $1,400 and premium work $1,750 to $2,450. 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 Fresno?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are October through May. May 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 Fresno
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.