French drain cost in Minneapolis, MN
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $740 – $2,600
- Per linear ft
- $12.50 – $43
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +23%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #17
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a French drain in the Minneapolis area: $740 to $2,600 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 23% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $29.79 an hour in the Minneapolis area, 31% above the US median of $22.66.
Estimate your french drain cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Minneapolis, MN, standard level
$1,300 to $2,050
About $21.50 to $34 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 60% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $520 | $820 |
| Labor | $770 | $1,200 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,300 | $2,050 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Minneapolis, MN
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $300 | $670 | $1,050 | 40% |
| Labor | $440 | $990 | $1,550 | 60% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $740 | $1,650 | $2,600 | 100% |
What is behind the Minneapolis number
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, Minneapolis wages are 1.41 times the national level. Labor makes up about 60% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Minneapolis is at 103.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $650 nationally becomes $670 here (midpoint, 60 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 104.8: $0 to $0.
Cost by quality level and size in Minneapolis
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Minneapolis. 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
$740 to $1,450
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,300 to $2,050
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,850 to $2,600
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $370 – $740 | $640 – $1,000 | $920 – $1,300 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $740 – $1,450 | $1,300 – $2,050 | $1,850 – $2,600 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,450 – $2,950 | $2,600 – $4,050 | $3,700 – $5,150 |
How Minneapolis compares
Same job, same size (60 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Minneapolis is the priciest of the group. La Crosse is the cheapest at $1,550.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis, MNthis page | $740 – $2,600 | $1,650 | |
| St. Cloud, MN70 miles | $690 – $2,450 | $1,550 | −6% |
| Rochester, MN90 miles | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | −5% |
| Eau Claire, WI100 miles | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −6% |
| La Crosse, WI145 miles | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −7% |
| Duluth, MN160 miles | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | −5% |
| Minnesota (statewide) | $720 – $2,500 | $1,600 | −3% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −19% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Minneapolis ranks #17 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Minneapolis is 3% above the Minnesota figure.
Elsewhere in Minnesota
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN | 124,710 jobs | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | −5% |
| Rochester, MN | 122,980 jobs | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | −5% |
| St. Cloud, MN | 103,920 jobs | $690 – $2,450 | $1,550 | −6% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Minneapolis against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | 2,086,210 jobs | $750 – $2,650 | $1,700 | +2% |
| Detroit, MI | 1,904,530 jobs | $660 – $2,300 | $1,500 | −10% |
| San Francisco, CA | 2,373,920 jobs | $840 – $2,950 | $1,900 | +15% |
| Riverside, CA | 1,716,760 jobs | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | −4% |
French drain: what moves the price in Minneapolis
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 Minneapolis
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Minneapolis wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sprinkler system comes out highest (+24%) and sod installation lowest (+12%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $9,100 – $16,100 | +23% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,000 – $12,100 | +19% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,700 – $3,700 | +12% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,850 – $5,900 | +14% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $5,000 – $12,400 | +24% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $44,500 – $139,000 | +23% |
Who does the work: Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis the blend is 1.41.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $29.79 an hour, which is 31% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $24.17 and $40.14 an hour. BLS counts 17,330 of them working in the area, 88.8 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 $40.07 an hour, 39% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $33.65 and $48.47 an hour. About 4,270 work in the metro. That is 21.9 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 $39.43 an hour, which is 67% above the national $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $38.54 and $45.72 an hour. BLS counts 320 of them working in the area, 1.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $160 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $85. That is a swing of roughly 5.3% to 9.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington has 1,951,650 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 14th 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% | $24.17 | $29.79 | $40.14 | $22.66 | 1.31 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $33.65 | $40.07 | $48.47 | $28.78 | 1.39 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $38.54 | $39.43 | $45.72 | $23.56 | 1.67 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.41 | |||||
The best months for French drain in Minneapolis
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Lower St Anthony Falls (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 Minneapolis 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 147 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Minneapolis gets about 34 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.8 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.0 inches. The station averages about 18 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 | 22 | 8 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 27 | 12 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 40 | 24 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 55 | 36 | 3.3 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 59 | 4.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 64 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 72 | 54 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 41 | 3.0 | Workable |
| Nov | 40 | 27 | 1.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 27 | 15 | 1.3 | Cold |
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 $1,300 to $2,050 for Minneapolis, MN is attached.
A detailed PDF report of this estimate, $9
Multi-page report for Minneapolis, MN: 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 Minneapolis: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Minneapolis?
For 60 linear ft, expect $740 to $2,600 in the Minneapolis area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,300 to $2,050. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Minneapolis?
About $12.50 to $43 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 Minneapolis or St. Cloud?
St. Cloud is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,550, which is 6% less than Minneapolis ($1,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Minneapolis?
About 60% at the midpoint, or $990 out of $1,650. Materials are 40% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Minneapolis?
$740 to $2,600. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Minneapolis?
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 Minneapolis area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Minneapolis expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Minnesota?
Minneapolis is 3% above the Minnesota statewide estimate ($1,600 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Minnesota; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Minneapolis?
The BLS median is $29.79 an hour in the Minneapolis area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $24.17 to $40.14.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Minneapolis?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $740 to $1,450 and premium work $1,850 to $2,600. 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 Minneapolis?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. April 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 Minneapolis
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.