French drain cost in Washington, DC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $630 – $2,200
- Per linear ft
- $10.50 – $36.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #108
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a French drain in Washington, plan on $630 to $2,200 for 60 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $10.50 to $36.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 4% higher than the national one. Building materials run about 5% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 104.8).
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Washington, DC, standard level
$1,100 to $1,700
About $18.50 to $28.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $530 | $830 |
| Labor | $570 | $890 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,100 | $1,700 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Washington, DC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $300 | $680 | $1,050 | 48% |
| Labor | $320 | $730 | $1,150 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $630 | $1,400 | $2,200 | 100% |
Why Washington prices look the way they do
Labor is 52% 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 Washington the blended ratio comes out at 1.04.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Washington metro is 104.8 (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 (108.9) and land at $0 to $0.
How Washington compares
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 $1,250 to $1,400 across Washington and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DCthis page | $630 – $2,200 | $1,400 | |
| Hagerstown, MD55 miles | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −9% |
| Baltimore, MD60 miles | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | −2% |
| Winchester, VA60 miles | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −11% |
| Lexington Park, MD65 miles | $610 – $2,150 | $1,350 | −3% |
| Chambersburg, PA75 miles | $590 – $2,050 | $1,350 | −6% |
| District of Columbia (statewide) | $660 – $2,300 | $1,500 | +5% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −4% |
Across 300 US metros, Washington comes in at #108 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, Washington is 5% below the District of Columbia figure.
Washington is the only District of Columbia metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Cities with a workforce like Washington's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Washington against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | 3,289,720 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −10% |
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | +2% |
| Dallas, TX | 4,049,800 jobs | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −7% |
| Atlanta, GA | 2,889,670 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,250 | −10% |
What nearby projects cost in Washington
Because every project leans on different trades, Washington's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sod installation runs +6% and retaining wall +3%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,150 – $13,800 | +3% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,600 – $10,600 | +3% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,600 – $3,500 | +6% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,400 | +4% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,200 – $10,500 | +5% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $37,300 – $116,500 | +3% |
Washington labor market for French drain
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 Washington is 1.04 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $22.80 an hour, in line with the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.07 and $27.05 an hour. About 17,710 work in the metro. That is 56.5 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 $29.64 an hour, which is in line with the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $26.33 and $35.07 an hour. BLS counts 6,450 of them working in the area, 20.6 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 $26.60 an hour, 13% above the US median of $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $23.91 and $29.18 an hour. About 660 work in the metro. That is 2.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.1 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($27.05 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $65. At the 25th percentile ($20.07) it shrinks by about $40. The total moves by 4.7% or 3.0%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 3,136,190 jobs in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria area. That makes it the 6th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 2.02% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $20.07 | $22.80 | $27.05 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $26.33 | $29.64 | $35.07 | $28.78 | 1.03 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $23.91 | $26.60 | $29.18 | $23.56 | 1.13 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
Climate in Washington: timing your French drain job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Washington Reagan Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and August through December are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Washington (9 of 12 months). January and February have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January and February the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 60 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Washington gets about 42 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 14 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and July (4.3 inches in July). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.2 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 40 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 | 45 | 30 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 48 | 32 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 57 | 39 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Apr | 68 | 48 | 3.2 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 58 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 68 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 72 | 4.3 | Hot |
| Aug | 88 | 71 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 64 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 52 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 58 | 42 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Dec | 49 | 35 | 3.4 | Workable |
Washington: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Washington 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
$630 to $1,250
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,100 to $1,700
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,550 to $2,200
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $310 – $630 | $550 – $860 | $780 – $1,100 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $630 – $1,250 | $1,100 – $1,700 | $1,550 – $2,200 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,250 – $2,500 | $2,200 – $3,450 | $3,150 – $4,400 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Washington 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.
Get 3 local quotes
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Multi-page report for Washington, DC: 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 Washington: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Washington?
For 60 linear ft, expect $630 to $2,200 in the Washington area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,100 to $1,700. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Washington?
About $10.50 to $36.50 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 Washington or Hagerstown?
Hagerstown is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,300, which is 9% less than Washington ($1,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Washington?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $730 out of $1,400. Materials are 48% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Washington?
$630 to $2,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Washington?
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 Washington area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Washington expensive for French drain compared with the rest of District of Columbia?
Washington is 5% below the District of Columbia statewide estimate ($1,500 at the midpoint).
+What do construction laborers earn in Washington?
The BLS median is $22.80 an hour in the Washington area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.07 to $27.05.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Washington?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $630 to $1,250 and premium work $1,550 to $2,200. 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 Washington?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and August through December. April 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 Washington
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.