French drain cost in Louisville, KY
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $600 – $2,100
- Per linear ft
- $9.95 – $35
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #146
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a French drain in the Louisville area: $600 to $2,100 for 60 linear ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint lands close to the US figure. Building materials run about 4% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 96.2).
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Louisville, KY, standard level
$1,050 to $1,650
About $17.50 to $27.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $480 | $760 |
| Labor | $560 | $880 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,050 | $1,650 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Louisville, KY
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $620 | $970 | 46% |
| Labor | $320 | $720 | $1,100 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $600 | $1,350 | $2,100 | 100% |
Where the Louisville price comes from
Labor is 54% 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 Louisville the blended ratio comes out at 1.03.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Louisville 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 93.1: $0 to $0.
Who does the work: Louisville trade wages
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 Louisville the blend is 1.03.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.80 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.98 and $28.03 an hour. BLS counts 4,600 of them working in the area, 67.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $29.76 an hour, 3% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $25.35 and $36.49 an hour. About 1,920 work in the metro. That is 28.0 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 $25.26 an hour, which is 7% above the national $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $25.06 and $27.41 an hour. BLS counts 40 of them working in the area, 0.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $80 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $60. That is a swing of roughly 4.4% to 6.0% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Louisville/Jefferson County has 685,190 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 43rd 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% | $18.98 | $22.80 | $28.03 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $25.35 | $29.76 | $36.49 | $28.78 | 1.03 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $25.06 | $25.26 | $27.41 | $23.56 | 1.07 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.03 | |||||
Is Louisville cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Louisville. Bowling Green is the lowest at about $1,300 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 90 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KYthis page | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | |
| Lexington, KY70 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | level |
| Bloomington, IN90 miles | $620 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +4% |
| Cincinnati, OH90 miles | $650 – $2,250 | $1,450 | +8% |
| Bowling Green, KY90 miles | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −2% |
| Evansville, IN105 miles | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +13% |
| Kentucky (statewide) | $590 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −1% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Louisville ranks #146 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Louisville is 1% above the Kentucky figure.
Elsewhere in Kentucky
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington, KY | 286,910 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | level |
| Bowling Green, KY | 82,160 jobs | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Louisville against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RI | 714,120 jobs | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +13% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −10% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −5% |
| Richmond, VA | 660,350 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −5% |
Louisville: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Louisville. 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
$600 to $1,200
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,050 to $1,650
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,500 to $2,100
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $300 – $600 | $520 – $820 | $750 – $1,050 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $600 – $1,200 | $1,050 – $1,650 | $1,500 – $2,100 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,200 – $2,400 | $2,100 – $3,300 | $3,000 – $4,200 |
The best months for French drain in Louisville
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Louisville Intl 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 Louisville are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
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 74 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Louisville gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 13 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and May (5.2 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and November are the driest, at 3.7 and 3.4 inches. The station averages about 43 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 | 44 | 28 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 48 | 31 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 58 | 39 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 70 | 49 | 4.8 | Workable |
| May | 78 | 59 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 86 | 67 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 89 | 71 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Aug | 88 | 70 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 82 | 62 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 71 | 50 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 58 | 39 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 32 | 4.1 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Louisville 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 nearby projects cost in Louisville
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Louisville wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sprinkler system comes out highest (+2%) and concrete slab lowest (−4%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,950 – $13,100 | −2% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,100 | −1% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,200 | −3% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,350 – $5,000 | −4% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,100 – $10,200 | +2% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $35,900 – $112,500 | level |
Get 3 local quotes
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Detailed french drain report for Louisville, KY, $9
Multi-page report for Louisville, KY: 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 Louisville: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Louisville?
For 60 linear ft, expect $600 to $2,100 in the Louisville area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,050 to $1,650. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Louisville?
About $9.95 to $35 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 Louisville or Lexington?
Lexington is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,350, which is 0% less than Louisville ($1,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Louisville?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $720 out of $1,350. Materials are 46% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Louisville?
$600 to $2,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Louisville?
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 Louisville area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Louisville expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Kentucky?
Louisville is 1% above the Kentucky statewide estimate ($1,350 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Kentucky; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Louisville?
The BLS median is $22.80 an hour in the Louisville area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.98 to $28.03.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Louisville?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $600 to $1,200 and premium work $1,500 to $2,100. 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 Louisville?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. September 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 Louisville
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.