French drain cost in Ann Arbor, MI
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
- #118
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a French drain in the Ann Arbor 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. Construction laborers earn a median of $24.48 an hour in the Ann Arbor area, 8% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Ann Arbor, MI, standard level
$1,100 to $1,700
About $18 to $28 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $470 | $740 |
| Labor | $600 | $950 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,100 | $1,700 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Ann Arbor, MI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $270 | $610 | $940 | 44% |
| Labor | $340 | $780 | $1,200 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $610 | $1,400 | $2,150 | 100% |
Where the Ann Arbor price comes from
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: construction laborers at 50%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%, pipelayers at 20%. Weighted together, Ann Arbor wages are 1.10 times the national level. Labor makes up about 56% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Ann Arbor 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 100.9: $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 Ann Arbor. The wage table below marks each row.
The best months for French drain in Ann Arbor
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Ann Arbor Muni 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 Ann Arbor are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, 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 150 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Ann Arbor gets about 30 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and July (3.6 inches in June). Inside the workable window, August and October are the driest, at 2.7 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 11 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 | 32 | 15 | 1.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 16 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 25 | 1.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 59 | 35 | 3.0 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 46 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 54 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 57 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 57 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 48 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 38 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 30 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Dec | 36 | 22 | 1.7 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Ann Arbor
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Ann Arbor wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, retaining wall comes out highest (+6%) and sod installation lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,700 – $14,000 | +6% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,200 | level |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,200 | −3% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,150 | −1% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,150 – $10,400 | +4% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $37,600 – $117,500 | +4% |
Why two Ann Arbor quotes can differ
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.
Crawl space drains
A crawl space French drain is $2,000-$8,000 installed.
How Ann Arbor compares
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 $1,350 to $1,500 across Ann Arbor and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MIthis page | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | |
| Detroit, MI45 miles | $660 – $2,300 | $1,500 | +7% |
| Toledo, OH50 miles | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | +3% |
| Lansing, MI50 miles | $630 – $2,200 | $1,450 | +3% |
| Flint, MI55 miles | $660 – $2,300 | $1,450 | +7% |
| Saginaw, MI75 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −2% |
| Michigan (statewide) | $620 – $2,150 | $1,400 | level |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −2% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Ann Arbor ranks #118 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Ann Arbor is 0% below the Michigan figure.
Elsewhere in Michigan
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $660 – $2,300 | $1,500 | +7% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $610 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −1% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $630 – $2,200 | $1,450 | +3% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $660 – $2,300 | $1,450 | +7% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 121,790 jobs | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | level |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Ann Arbor against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deltona, FL | 219,740 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −10% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $630 – $2,200 | $1,450 | +3% |
| Springfield, MO | 223,030 jobs | $580 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −6% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 205,260 jobs | $760 – $2,650 | $1,700 | +24% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: french drain pricing in Ann Arbor
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Ann Arbor. 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
$1,100 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 – $1,100 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $610 – $1,250 | $1,100 – $1,700 | $1,550 – $2,150 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,250 – $2,450 | $2,150 – $3,400 | $3,050 – $4,300 |
Who does the work: Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor the blend is 1.10.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $24.48 an hour, which is 8% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.01 and $29.43 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 23.2 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $30.05 an hour, 4% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.91 and $39.58 an hour. About 170 work in the metro. That is 7.7 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 Ann Arbor metro, so we used the Michigan statewide median: $29.60 an hour against $23.56 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $27.46 and $37.30 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $75 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $40. That is a swing of roughly 2.8% to 5.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Ann Arbor has 219,730 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 110th 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% | $22.01 | $24.48 | $29.43 | $22.66 | 1.08 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $23.91 | $30.05 | $39.58 | $28.78 | 1.04 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $27.46 | $29.60 | $37.30 | $23.56 | 1.26 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.10 | |||||
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Detailed french drain report for Ann Arbor, MI, $9
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French drain in Ann Arbor: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Ann Arbor?
For 60 linear ft, expect $610 to $2,150 in the Ann Arbor area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,100 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 Ann Arbor?
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 Ann Arbor or Detroit?
Detroit is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,500, which is 7% more than Ann Arbor ($1,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Ann Arbor?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $780 out of $1,400. Materials are 44% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Ann Arbor?
$610 to $2,150. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Ann Arbor?
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 Ann Arbor area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Ann Arbor expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Michigan?
Ann Arbor is 0% below the Michigan statewide estimate ($1,400 at the midpoint). We cover 10 metros in Michigan; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Ann Arbor?
The BLS median is $24.48 an hour in the Ann Arbor area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.01 to $29.43.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Ann Arbor?
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 Ann Arbor?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. August and October 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 Ann Arbor
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.