French drain cost in Coeur d'Alene, ID
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
- #107
- 1 = most expensive
A French drain in Coeur d'Alene, ID usually costs $630 to $2,200 for 60 linear ft. That works out to about $10.50 to $36.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $60 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $24.48 an hour in the Coeur d'Alene area, 8% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Coeur d'Alene, ID, standard level
$1,100 to $1,700
About $18.50 to $28.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $480 | $760 |
| Labor | $610 | $960 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,100 | $1,700 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Coeur d'Alene, ID
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $620 | $970 | 44% |
| Labor | $350 | $790 | $1,200 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $630 | $1,400 | $2,200 | 100% |
Why Coeur d'Alene prices look the way they do
Labor is 56% 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 Coeur d'Alene the blended ratio comes out at 1.12.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Coeur d'Alene is at 96.2 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 98.3: $0 to $0.
Why two Coeur d'Alene quotes can differ
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.
What local crews earn in Coeur d'Alene
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 Coeur d'Alene the blend is 1.12.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $24.48 an hour, which is 8% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.40 and $28.20 an hour. BLS counts 1,080 of them working in the area, 149.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $31.03 an hour, 8% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $27.99 and $37.58 an hour. About 450 work in the metro. That is 62.3 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For pipelayers (47-2151, weighted 20%) the local median is $30.09 an hour, which is 28% above the national $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $22.92 and $36.04 an hour. BLS counts 40 of them working in the area, 5.5 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 $60 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $50. That is a swing of roughly 3.4% to 4.1% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Coeur d'Alene has 72,280 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 254th 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% | $21.40 | $24.48 | $28.20 | $22.66 | 1.08 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $27.99 | $31.03 | $37.58 | $28.78 | 1.08 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $22.92 | $30.09 | $36.04 | $23.56 | 1.28 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.12 | |||||
Related projects, priced for Coeur d'Alene
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Coeur d'Alene wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (+2%) and sprinkler system lowest (−4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,100 – $13,400 | level |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,550 – $10,400 | +2% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,250 | −1% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,150 | −1% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,850 – $9,600 | −4% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $36,100 – $113,000 | level |
Coeur d'Alene 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, Coeur D'Alene (in the city). 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 Coeur d'Alene 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 121 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Coeur d'Alene gets about 25 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are January, November and December (3.5 inches in December). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.7 and 0.8 inches. The station averages about 18 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 | 36 | 26 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 27 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 31 | 2.7 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 37 | 1.9 | Workable |
| May | 66 | 44 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 72 | 51 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 57 | 0.7 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 56 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 48 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 58 | 39 | 2.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 44 | 32 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 36 | 26 | 3.5 | Cold |
Coeur d'Alene: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Coeur d'Alene. 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
$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 |
How Coeur d'Alene compares
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Coeur d'Alene. Missoula is the lowest at about $1,350 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 120 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene, IDthis page | $630 – $2,200 | $1,400 | |
| Spokane, WA55 miles | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | +9% |
| Missoula, MT120 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −4% |
| Kennewick, WA150 miles | $710 – $2,450 | $1,600 | +13% |
| Yakima, WA210 miles | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | +9% |
| Seattle, WA240 miles | $750 – $2,650 | $1,700 | +21% |
| Idaho (statewide) | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −4% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −4% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Coeur d'Alene ranks #107 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Coeur d'Alene is 4% above the Idaho figure.
Elsewhere in Idaho
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise, ID | 391,790 jobs | $610 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −3% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 81,840 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Coeur d'Alene against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prescott Valley, AZ | 72,300 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −3% |
| Bangor, ME | 72,270 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −8% |
| Auburn, AL | 72,710 jobs | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | −16% |
| Bozeman, MT | 72,210 jobs | $630 – $2,200 | $1,400 | level |
Get 3 local quotes
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French drain in Coeur d'Alene: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Coeur d'Alene?
For 60 linear ft, expect $630 to $2,200 in the Coeur d'Alene 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 Coeur d'Alene?
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 Coeur d'Alene or Spokane?
Spokane is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,550, which is 9% more than Coeur d'Alene ($1,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Coeur d'Alene?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $790 out of $1,400. Materials are 44% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Coeur d'Alene?
$630 to $2,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Coeur d'Alene?
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 Coeur d'Alene area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Coeur d'Alene expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Idaho?
Coeur d'Alene is 4% above the Idaho statewide estimate ($1,350 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Idaho; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Coeur d'Alene?
The BLS median is $24.48 an hour in the Coeur d'Alene area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.40 to $28.20.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Coeur d'Alene?
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 Coeur d'Alene?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. July and August 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 Coeur d'Alene
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.