French drain cost in Springfield, MA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $670 – $2,350
- Per linear ft
- $11 – $39
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #69
- 1 = most expensive
Springfield homeowners pay roughly $670 to $2,350 to install a French drain at 60 linear ft, or $11 to $39 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Springfield is 12% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $30.12 an hour in the Springfield area, 33% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Springfield, MA, standard level
$1,200 to $1,850
About $19.50 to $31 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 58% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $490 | $770 |
| Labor | $690 | $1,100 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,200 | $1,850 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Springfield, MA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $630 | $980 | 42% |
| Labor | $390 | $880 | $1,350 | 58% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $670 | $1,500 | $2,350 | 100% |
Where the Springfield price comes from
Labor is 58% 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 Springfield the blended ratio comes out at 1.26.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Springfield metro is 97.0 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 60 linear ft comes to $630, compared with $650 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.1) and land at $0 to $0.
Specs and site conditions that change a Springfield 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.
Planning more than one job in Springfield?
Because every project leans on different trades, Springfield's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs +17% and concrete slab +7%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,650 – $15,300 | +17% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,800 – $11,400 | +12% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,600 – $3,550 | +7% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,650 – $5,500 | +7% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,700 – $11,700 | +17% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $42,200 – $131,500 | +17% |
When to schedule French drain in Springfield
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Westfield Barnes Muni Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Springfield (7 of 12 months). 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 144 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Springfield gets about 45 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.7 inches in October). Inside the workable window, May and August are the driest, at 3.7 and 3.7 inches. The station averages about 18 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 | 35 | 16 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 38 | 17 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 47 | 26 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Apr | 60 | 35 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 46 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 80 | 55 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 61 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 83 | 59 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 51 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 39 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Nov | 51 | 30 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Dec | 40 | 22 | 3.6 | Cold |
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Springfield is 1.26 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $30.12 an hour, 33% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.44 and $37.06 an hour. About 880 work in the metro. That is 43.7 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $35.13 an hour, which is 22% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $27.14 and $47.59 an hour. BLS counts 670 of them working in the area, 33.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Pipelayers (47-2151), 20% of the weighting: a median of $26.81 an hour, 14% above the US median of $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $25.13 and $27.98 an hour.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($37.06 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $110. At the 25th percentile ($23.44) it shrinks by about $100. The total moves by 7.1% or 6.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 201,240 jobs in the Springfield area. That makes it the 113th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.13% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $23.44 | $30.12 | $37.06 | $22.66 | 1.33 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $27.14 | $35.13 | $47.59 | $28.78 | 1.22 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $25.13 | $26.81 | $27.98 | $23.56 | 1.14 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.26 | |||||
How Springfield compares
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Springfield. Pittsfield is the lowest at about $1,450 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 35 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MAthis page | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | |
| Amherst, MA15 miles | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | level |
| Hartford, CT30 miles | $650 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −3% |
| Pittsfield, MA35 miles | $650 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −4% |
| Worcester, MA40 miles | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | +4% |
| Waterbury, CT50 miles | $650 – $2,300 | $1,450 | −3% |
| Massachusetts (statewide) | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | +5% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −11% |
Across 300 US metros, Springfield comes in at #69 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, Springfield is 5% below the Massachusetts figure.
Other Massachusetts metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA | 2,703,890 jobs | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | +5% |
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | +4% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | +2% |
| Amherst, MA | 65,670 jobs | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | level |
| Pittsfield, MA | 56,810 jobs | $650 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −4% |
Cities with a workforce like Springfield's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Springfield against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa, CA | 205,260 jobs | $760 – $2,650 | $1,700 | +14% |
| Santa Maria, CA | 200,760 jobs | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | +6% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $630 – $2,200 | $1,450 | −6% |
| Manchester, NH | 199,560 jobs | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −14% |
Springfield: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Springfield 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
$670 to $1,350
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,200 to $1,850
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,700 to $2,350
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $340 – $670 | $590 – $920 | $840 – $1,200 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $670 – $1,350 | $1,200 – $1,850 | $1,700 – $2,350 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,350 – $2,700 | $2,350 – $3,700 | $3,350 – $4,700 |
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 $1,200 to $1,850 for Springfield, MA is attached.
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Multi-page report for Springfield, MA: 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 Springfield: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Springfield?
For 60 linear ft, expect $670 to $2,350 in the Springfield area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,200 to $1,850. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Springfield?
About $11 to $39 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 Springfield or Amherst?
Amherst is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,500, which is 0% less than Springfield ($1,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Springfield?
About 58% at the midpoint, or $880 out of $1,500. Materials are 42% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Springfield?
$670 to $2,350. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Springfield?
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 Springfield area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Springfield expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Massachusetts?
Springfield is 5% below the Massachusetts statewide estimate ($1,600 at the midpoint). We cover 6 metros in Massachusetts; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Springfield?
The BLS median is $30.12 an hour in the Springfield area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.44 to $37.06.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Springfield?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $670 to $1,350 and premium work $1,700 to $2,350. 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 Springfield?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. May 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 Springfield
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.