French drain cost in Detroit, MI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $660 – $2,300
- Per linear ft
- $11 – $38.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +10%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #80
- 1 = most expensive
Detroit homeowners pay roughly $660 to $2,300 to install a French drain at 60 linear ft, or $11 to $38.50 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Detroit is 10% higher. Construction laborers earn a median of $27.61 an hour in the Detroit area, 22% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Detroit, MI, standard level
$1,150 to $1,800
About $19 to $30 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 57% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $500 | $780 |
| Labor | $660 | $1,050 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,150 | $1,800 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Detroit, MI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $640 | $1,000 | 43% |
| Labor | $380 | $840 | $1,300 | 57% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $660 | $1,500 | $2,300 | 100% |
Where the Detroit 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, Detroit wages are 1.20 times the national level. Labor makes up about 57% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Detroit metro is 98.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 60 linear ft comes to $640, compared with $650 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (100.3) and land at $0 to $0.
When to schedule French drain in Detroit
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Detroit City Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Detroit (8 of 12 months). January, February, March and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March 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 112 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Detroit gets about 30 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are May, June and July (3.5 inches in May). Inside the workable window, October and November are the driest, at 2.3 and 2.2 inches. The station averages about 13 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 | 32 | 20 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 21 | 1.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 28 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 58 | 39 | 2.8 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 50 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 60 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 65 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 64 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 56 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 45 | 2.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 48 | 34 | 2.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 37 | 26 | 1.7 | Cold |
What nearby projects cost in Detroit
Because every project leans on different trades, Detroit's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sprinkler system runs +13% and sod installation +1%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,450 – $13,900 | +4% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,700 – $11,000 | +8% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,350 | +1% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,450 | +5% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,500 – $11,300 | +13% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $39,000 – $122,000 | +8% |
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 Detroit is 1.20 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $27.61 an hour, 22% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.25 and $30.04 an hour. About 11,610 work in the metro. That is 61.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $32.76 an hour, which is 14% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $26.36 and $38.85 an hour. BLS counts 3,790 of them working in the area, 19.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Pipelayers (47-2151), 20% of the weighting: a median of $29.60 an hour, 26% above the US median of $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $28.54 and $31.89 an hour. About 70 work in the metro. That is 0.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($30.04 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $40. At the 25th percentile ($22.25) it shrinks by about $85. The total moves by 2.5% or 5.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 1,904,530 jobs in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area. That makes it the 15th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 1.22% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $22.25 | $27.61 | $30.04 | $22.66 | 1.22 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $26.36 | $32.76 | $38.85 | $28.78 | 1.14 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $28.54 | $29.60 | $31.89 | $23.56 | 1.26 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.20 | |||||
French drain: what moves the price in Detroit
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.
Pick a size, pick a tier: french drain pricing in Detroit
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Detroit 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
$660 to $1,300
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,150 to $1,800
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,650 to $2,300
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $330 – $660 | $580 – $910 | $820 – $1,150 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $660 – $1,300 | $1,150 – $1,800 | $1,650 – $2,300 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,300 – $2,650 | $2,300 – $3,650 | $3,300 – $4,600 |
Detroit against nearby metros and the rest of Michigan
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 Detroit and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MIthis page | $660 – $2,300 | $1,500 | |
| Flint, MI35 miles | $660 – $2,300 | $1,450 | −1% |
| Ann Arbor, MI45 miles | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | −7% |
| Saginaw, MI60 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −8% |
| Lansing, MI70 miles | $630 – $2,200 | $1,450 | −4% |
| Toledo, OH85 miles | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −4% |
| Michigan (statewide) | $620 – $2,150 | $1,400 | −6% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −9% |
Across 300 US metros, Detroit comes in at #80 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, Detroit is 7% above the Michigan figure.
Other Michigan metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids, MI | 598,260 jobs | $610 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −8% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 219,730 jobs | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | −7% |
| Lansing, MI | 217,180 jobs | $630 – $2,200 | $1,450 | −4% |
| Flint, MI | 135,040 jobs | $660 – $2,300 | $1,450 | −1% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 121,790 jobs | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | −7% |
| Saginaw, MI | 80,000 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −8% |
Cities with a workforce like Detroit's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Detroit against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MN | 1,951,650 jobs | $740 – $2,600 | $1,650 | +12% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | +8% |
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $750 – $2,650 | $1,700 | +14% |
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $630 – $2,200 | $1,400 | −4% |
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 $1,150 to $1,800 for Detroit, MI is attached.
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French drain in Detroit: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Detroit?
For 60 linear ft, expect $660 to $2,300 in the Detroit area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,150 to $1,800. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Detroit?
About $11 to $38.50 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 Detroit or Flint?
Flint is 35 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,450, which is 1% less than Detroit ($1,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Detroit?
About 57% at the midpoint, or $840 out of $1,500. Materials are 43% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Detroit?
$660 to $2,300. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Detroit?
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 Detroit area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Detroit expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Michigan?
Detroit is 7% above 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 Detroit?
The BLS median is $27.61 an hour in the Detroit area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.25 to $30.04.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Detroit?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $660 to $1,300 and premium work $1,650 to $2,300. 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 Detroit?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. October 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 Detroit
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.