French drain cost in Lafayette, LA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $530 – $1,850
- Per linear ft
- $8.85 – $31
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −11%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #269
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a French drain in the Lafayette area: $530 to $1,850 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 runs 11% lower than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $18.57 an hour in the Lafayette area, 18% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Lafayette, LA, standard level
$930 to $1,450
About $15.50 to $24.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 49% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $470 | $740 |
| Labor | $460 | $720 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $930 | $1,450 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Lafayette, LA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $270 | $610 | $940 | 51% |
| Labor | $260 | $590 | $920 | 49% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $530 | $1,200 | $1,850 | 100% |
What is behind the Lafayette 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 $18.57 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Lafayette is 0.84 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 49% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Lafayette is at 93.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $650 nationally becomes $610 here (midpoint, 60 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 87.2: $0 to $0.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Lafayette. The wage table below marks each row.
Who does the work: Lafayette 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 Lafayette the blend is 0.84.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $18.57 an hour, which is 18% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.31 and $22.95 an hour. BLS counts 1,780 of them working in the area, 99.1 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 $23.94 an hour, 17% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.27 and $29.10 an hour. About 370 work in the metro. That is 20.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Pipelayers (47-2151) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Lafayette metro, so we used the Louisiana statewide median: $21.32 an hour against $23.56 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $17.97 and $23.20 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $70 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $35. That is a swing of roughly 2.9% to 5.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Lafayette has 179,570 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 129th 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% | $16.31 | $18.57 | $22.95 | $22.66 | 0.82 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $22.27 | $23.94 | $29.10 | $28.78 | 0.83 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $17.97 | $21.32 | $23.20 | $23.56 | 0.90 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 0.84 | |||||
Lafayette: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Lafayette. 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
$530 to $1,050
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$930 to $1,450
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,350 to $1,850
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $270 – $530 | $470 – $730 | $660 – $930 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $530 – $1,050 | $930 – $1,450 | $1,350 – $1,850 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,050 – $2,150 | $1,850 – $2,950 | $2,650 – $3,700 |
How Lafayette compares
Same job, same size (60 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Beaumont is the priciest of the group at $1,250. Alexandria is the cheapest at $1,150.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, LAthis page | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | |
| Lake Charles, LA65 miles | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +4% |
| Baton Rouge, LA70 miles | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | +2% |
| Houma, LA90 miles | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | −1% |
| Alexandria, LA95 miles | $520 – $1,800 | $1,150 | −3% |
| Beaumont, TX125 miles | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +6% |
| Louisiana (statewide) | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | level |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +13% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Lafayette ranks #269 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Lafayette is 0% below the Louisiana figure.
Elsewhere in Louisiana
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | 445,550 jobs | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | +3% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | +2% |
| Shreveport, LA | 162,750 jobs | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | level |
| Lake Charles, LA | 101,690 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +4% |
| Slidell, LA | 98,240 jobs | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | level |
| Monroe, LA | 87,500 jobs | $520 – $1,800 | $1,150 | −3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lafayette against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $620 – $2,150 | $1,400 | +17% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 178,590 jobs | $590 – $2,050 | $1,300 | +11% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +7% |
| Anchorage, AK | 177,050 jobs | $680 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +27% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Lafayette bid
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 nearby projects cost in Lafayette
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Lafayette wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, concrete slab comes out highest (−9%) and sod installation lowest (−14%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,350 – $12,200 | −9% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,200 – $9,000 | −12% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,300 – $2,850 | −14% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,750 | −9% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,600 – $8,950 | −10% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $32,200 – $101,000 | −11% |
The best months for French drain in Lafayette
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Lafayette Rgnl 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 Lafayette are September through May: 9 of 12. Outside them, June, July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
Lafayette gets about 63 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (7.1 inches in June). Inside the workable window, February and March are the driest, at 4.1 and 3.7 inches. The station averages about 91 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 | 62 | 44 | 5.9 | Workable |
| Feb | 66 | 47 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Mar | 73 | 53 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Apr | 79 | 59 | 4.9 | Workable |
| May | 86 | 67 | 5.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 90 | 73 | 7.1 | Hot |
| Jul | 92 | 75 | 6.3 | Hot |
| Aug | 92 | 75 | 6.3 | Hot |
| Sep | 89 | 70 | 5.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 81 | 60 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 72 | 50 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Dec | 64 | 45 | 5.0 | Workable |
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French drain in Lafayette: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Lafayette?
For 60 linear ft, expect $530 to $1,850 in the Lafayette area. A standard-spec job lands at $930 to $1,450. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Lafayette?
About $8.85 to $31 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 Lafayette or Lake Charles?
Lake Charles is 65 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,250, which is 4% more than Lafayette ($1,200). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lafayette?
About 49% at the midpoint, or $590 out of $1,200. Materials are 51% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Lafayette?
$530 to $1,850. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Lafayette?
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 Lafayette area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lafayette expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Louisiana?
Lafayette is 0% below the Louisiana statewide estimate ($1,200 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in Louisiana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Lafayette?
The BLS median is $18.57 an hour in the Lafayette area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $16.31 to $22.95.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Lafayette?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $530 to $1,050 and premium work $1,350 to $1,850. 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 Lafayette?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are September through May. February and March 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 Lafayette
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.