French drain cost in Colorado Springs, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $590 – $2,050
- Per linear ft
- $9.80 – $34.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −2%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #163
- 1 = most expensive
A French drain in Colorado Springs, CO usually costs $590 to $2,050 for 60 linear ft. That works out to about $9.80 to $34.50 per linear ft before permits. That is within a few percent of the national midpoint, so there is little local premium or discount. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.1).
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Colorado Springs, CO, standard level
$1,050 to $1,600
About $17 to $27 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $480 | $760 |
| Labor | $550 | $860 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,050 | $1,600 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Colorado Springs, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $620 | $970 | 47% |
| Labor | $310 | $700 | $1,100 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $590 | $1,300 | $2,050 | 100% |
What is behind the Colorado Springs number
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $22.28 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Colorado Springs is 1.00 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 53% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Colorado Springs is at 96.1 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 100.7: $0 to $0.
Specs and site conditions that change a Colorado Springs bid
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).
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.
What local crews earn in Colorado Springs
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 Colorado Springs the blend is 1.00.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.28 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.17 and $24.62 an hour. BLS counts 1,790 of them working in the area, 56.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $29.64 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $25.39 and $34.71 an hour. About 1,030 work in the metro. That is 32.6 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 $23.51 an hour, which is in line with the national $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $22.67 and $28.07 an hour. BLS counts 100 of them working in the area, 3.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.1), so the local bench is deeper 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 $50. That is a swing of roughly 3.6% to 2.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Colorado Springs has 316,060 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 81st 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% | $19.17 | $22.28 | $24.62 | $22.66 | 0.98 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $25.39 | $29.64 | $34.71 | $28.78 | 1.03 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $22.67 | $23.51 | $28.07 | $23.56 | 1.00 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.00 | |||||
Colorado Springs weather and the french drain calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Colorado Springs Muni Ap (5 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 Colorado Springs are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, November 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 160 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Colorado Springs gets about 16 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 33 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (3.1 inches in July). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 1.4 and 0.8 inches. The station averages about 23 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 | 45 | 19 | 0.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 20 | 0.3 | Cold |
| Mar | 55 | 27 | 0.8 | Cold |
| Apr | 61 | 34 | 1.4 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 44 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 53 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 58 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 57 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 49 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 65 | 37 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 26 | 0.4 | Cold |
| Dec | 45 | 19 | 0.2 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: french drain pricing in Colorado Springs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Colorado Springs. 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
$590 to $1,200
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,050 to $1,600
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,450 to $2,050
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $290 – $590 | $520 – $810 | $740 – $1,050 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $590 – $1,200 | $1,050 – $1,600 | $1,450 – $2,050 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,200 – $2,350 | $2,050 – $3,250 | $2,950 – $4,100 |
Colorado Springs against nearby metros and the rest of Colorado
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 $1,400 across Colorado Springs and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, COthis page | $590 – $2,050 | $1,300 | |
| Denver, CO45 miles | $630 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +8% |
| Pueblo, CO50 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +2% |
| Boulder, CO95 miles | $620 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +6% |
| Greeley, CO120 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +1% |
| Fort Collins, CO135 miles | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | +4% |
| Colorado (statewide) | $620 – $2,150 | $1,400 | +5% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Colorado Springs ranks #163 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Colorado Springs is 5% below the Colorado figure.
Elsewhere in Colorado
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $630 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +8% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $620 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +6% |
| Fort Collins, CO | 169,430 jobs | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | +4% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +1% |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $590 – $2,050 | $1,350 | level |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Colorado Springs against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | 319,560 jobs | $660 – $2,300 | $1,450 | +11% |
| Wichita, KS | 308,570 jobs | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | −7% |
| Oxnard, CA | 323,890 jobs | $710 – $2,450 | $1,600 | +20% |
| Cape Coral, FL | 304,790 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −5% |
Planning more than one job in Colorado Springs?
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Colorado Springs wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (+2%) and sprinkler system lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,050 – $13,300 | −1% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $10,000 | −2% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,350 | +2% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,400 – $5,150 | −1% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,900 – $9,700 | −3% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $35,600 – $111,000 | −1% |
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French drain in Colorado Springs: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Colorado Springs?
For 60 linear ft, expect $590 to $2,050 in the Colorado Springs area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,050 to $1,600. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Colorado Springs?
About $9.80 to $34.50 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 Colorado Springs or Denver?
Denver is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,400, which is 8% more than Colorado Springs ($1,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Colorado Springs?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $700 out of $1,300. Materials are 47% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Colorado Springs?
$590 to $2,050. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Colorado Springs?
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 Colorado Springs area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Colorado Springs expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Colorado?
Colorado Springs is 5% below the Colorado statewide estimate ($1,400 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Colorado Springs?
The BLS median is $22.28 an hour in the Colorado Springs area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.17 to $24.62.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Colorado Springs?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $590 to $1,200 and premium work $1,450 to $2,050. 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 Colorado Springs?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September 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 Colorado Springs
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.