French drain cost in Baltimore, MD
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $610 – $2,150
- Per linear ft
- $10 – $36
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +2%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #120
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a French drain in the Baltimore area: $610 to $2,150 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 2% above the US average here (BEA goods price index 102.4).
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Baltimore, MD, standard level
$1,050 to $1,700
About $18 to $28 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $520 | $810 |
| Labor | $560 | $880 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,050 | $1,700 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Baltimore, MD
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $290 | $660 | $1,050 | 48% |
| Labor | $320 | $720 | $1,100 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $610 | $1,400 | $2,150 | 100% |
What is behind the Baltimore number
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 Baltimore the blended ratio comes out at 1.02.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Baltimore is at 102.4 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $650 nationally becomes $660 here (midpoint, 60 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 104.5: $0 to $0.
Baltimore against nearby metros and the rest of Maryland
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 $1,300 to $1,400 across Baltimore and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore, MDthis page | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | |
| York, PA45 miles | $620 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +2% |
| Lancaster, PA55 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −2% |
| Dover, DE60 miles | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −5% |
| Washington, DC60 miles | $630 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +2% |
| Lexington Park, MD70 miles | $610 – $2,150 | $1,350 | −1% |
| Maryland (statewide) | $620 – $2,150 | $1,400 | +1% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Baltimore ranks #120 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Baltimore is 1% below the Maryland figure.
Elsewhere in Maryland
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown, MD | 107,170 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −7% |
| Lexington Park, MD | 70,650 jobs | $610 – $2,150 | $1,350 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Baltimore against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −7% |
| St. Louis, MO | 1,341,320 jobs | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | +13% |
| Orlando, FL | 1,411,730 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −10% |
| Austin, TX | 1,293,690 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −9% |
The best months for French drain in Baltimore
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Md Sci Ctr Baltimore (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 Baltimore are March through June and August through December: 9 of 12. Outside them, January and February have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F), and 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 52 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Baltimore gets about 44 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (4.7 inches in July). Inside the workable window, June and November are the driest, at 3.4 and 3.0 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 | 30 | 3.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 32 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 55 | 39 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 67 | 48 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 76 | 58 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 68 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 73 | 4.7 | Hot |
| Aug | 87 | 71 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 65 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Oct | 69 | 53 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 58 | 43 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Dec | 48 | 35 | 3.7 | Workable |
Who does the work: Baltimore 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 Baltimore the blend is 1.02.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.34 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.72 and $26.66 an hour. BLS counts 10,520 of them working in the area, 77.5 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 $29.20 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.67 and $32.50 an hour. About 3,350 work in the metro. That is 24.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For pipelayers (47-2151, weighted 20%) the local median is $26.29 an hour, which is 12% above the national $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $24.12 and $29.01 an hour. BLS counts 280 of them working in the area, 2.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.1), so the local bench is about average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $65 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $55. That is a swing of roughly 4.1% to 4.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson has 1,356,680 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 22nd 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% | $18.72 | $22.34 | $26.66 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $23.67 | $29.20 | $32.50 | $28.78 | 1.01 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $24.12 | $26.29 | $29.01 | $23.56 | 1.12 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.02 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Baltimore
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Baltimore wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (+2%) and concrete slab lowest (level); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,950 – $13,500 | level |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,550 – $10,300 | +1% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,350 | +2% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,200 | level |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,050 – $10,100 | +1% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $36,200 – $113,000 | level |
Pick a size, pick a tier: french drain pricing in Baltimore
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Baltimore. 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
$610 to $1,250
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,050 to $1,700
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,550 to $2,150
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $310 – $610 | $540 – $840 | $770 – $1,050 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $610 – $1,250 | $1,050 – $1,700 | $1,550 – $2,150 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,250 – $2,450 | $2,150 – $3,350 | $3,050 – $4,300 |
Why two Baltimore 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 $1,050 to $1,700 for Baltimore, MD is attached.
Detailed french drain report for Baltimore, MD, $9
Multi-page report for Baltimore, MD: 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 Baltimore: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Baltimore?
For 60 linear ft, expect $610 to $2,150 in the Baltimore area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,050 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 Baltimore?
About $10 to $36 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 Baltimore or York?
York is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,400, which is 2% more than Baltimore ($1,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Baltimore?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $720 out of $1,400. Materials are 48% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Baltimore?
$610 to $2,150. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Baltimore?
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 Baltimore area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Baltimore expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Maryland?
Baltimore is 1% below the Maryland statewide estimate ($1,400 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Maryland; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Baltimore?
The BLS median is $22.34 an hour in the Baltimore area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.72 to $26.66.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Baltimore?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $610 to $1,250 and premium work $1,550 to $2,150. 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 Baltimore?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and August through December. June 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 Baltimore
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.