French drain cost in Wichita, KS
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $550 – $1,900
- Per linear ft
- $9.10 – $32
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −9%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #243
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a French drain in Wichita, plan on $550 to $1,900 for 60 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $9.10 to $32 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 9% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $19.89 an hour in the Wichita area, 12% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Wichita, KS, standard level
$960 to $1,500
About $16 to $25 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $470 | $740 |
| Labor | $480 | $760 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $960 | $1,500 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Wichita, KS
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $270 | $610 | $950 | 49% |
| Labor | $280 | $620 | $970 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $550 | $1,250 | $1,900 | 100% |
What is behind the Wichita 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 $19.89 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Wichita is 0.89 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 51% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Wichita metro is 94.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 60 linear ft comes to $610, compared with $650 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (88.9) and land at $0 to $0.
Is Wichita cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Wichita. Oklahoma City is the lowest at about $1,200 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 155 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KSthis page | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | |
| Tulsa, OK110 miles | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −1% |
| Topeka, KS125 miles | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +5% |
| Oklahoma City, OK155 miles | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −1% |
| Joplin, MO155 miles | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | +6% |
| Kansas City, MO175 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +10% |
| Kansas (statewide) | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +2% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +10% |
Across 300 US metros, Wichita comes in at #243 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, Wichita is 2% below the Kansas figure.
Other Kansas metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KS | 115,750 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +5% |
Cities with a workforce like Wichita's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Wichita against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $590 – $2,050 | $1,300 | +8% |
| Cape Coral, FL | 304,790 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +2% |
| Akron, OH | 319,560 jobs | $660 – $2,300 | $1,450 | +20% |
| Provo, UT | 304,660 jobs | $590 – $2,050 | $1,350 | +8% |
Wichita 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 Wichita is 0.89 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $19.89 an hour, 12% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.93 and $22.93 an hour. About 2,300 work in the metro. That is 74.5 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $24.00 an hour, which is 17% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.50 and $28.54 an hour. BLS counts 1,150 of them working in the area, 37.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Pipelayers (47-2151), 20% of the weighting: a median of $23.26 an hour, in line with the US median of $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $22.78 and $23.89 an hour. About 50 work in the metro. That is 1.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($22.93 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $45. At the 25th percentile ($17.93) it shrinks by about $30. The total moves by 3.8% or 2.5%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 308,570 jobs in the Wichita area. That makes it the 82nd largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.20% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $17.93 | $19.89 | $22.93 | $22.66 | 0.88 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.50 | $24.00 | $28.54 | $28.78 | 0.83 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $22.78 | $23.26 | $23.89 | $23.56 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Wichita
Because every project leans on different trades, Wichita's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sod installation runs −5% and gravel driveway −10%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,500 – $12,400 | −8% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,250 – $9,150 | −10% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,400 – $3,100 | −5% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,700 | −10% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,700 – $9,200 | −8% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $32,900 – $103,000 | −9% |
Climate in Wichita: timing your French drain job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Wichita (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and September through November are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Wichita (7 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January, February 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 103 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Wichita gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 13 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (5.2 inches in May). Inside the workable window, March and November are the driest, at 2.3 and 1.4 inches. The station averages about 65 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 | 44 | 23 | 0.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 49 | 26 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Mar | 59 | 36 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Apr | 68 | 45 | 3.1 | Workable |
| May | 78 | 56 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 88 | 66 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 93 | 70 | 4.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 91 | 69 | 4.3 | Hot |
| Sep | 83 | 60 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 71 | 47 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 57 | 35 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 46 | 25 | 1.2 | Cold |
Cost by quality level and size in Wichita
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Wichita 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
$550 to $1,100
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$960 to $1,500
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,350 to $1,900
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $270 – $550 | $480 – $750 | $680 – $960 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $550 – $1,100 | $960 – $1,500 | $1,350 – $1,900 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,100 – $2,200 | $1,900 – $3,000 | $2,750 – $3,850 |
Why two Wichita quotes can differ
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).
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 $960 to $1,500 for Wichita, KS is attached.
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Multi-page report for Wichita, KS: 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 Wichita: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Wichita?
For 60 linear ft, expect $550 to $1,900 in the Wichita area. A standard-spec job lands at $960 to $1,500. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Wichita?
About $9.10 to $32 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 Wichita or Tulsa?
Tulsa is 110 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,200, which is 1% less than Wichita ($1,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Wichita?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $620 out of $1,250. Materials are 49% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Wichita?
$550 to $1,900. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Wichita?
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 Wichita area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Wichita expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Kansas?
Wichita is 2% below the Kansas statewide estimate ($1,250 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Kansas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Wichita?
The BLS median is $19.89 an hour in the Wichita area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.93 to $22.93.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Wichita?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $550 to $1,100 and premium work $1,350 to $1,900. 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 Wichita?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through November. March 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 Wichita
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.