French drain cost in Missoula, MT
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $600 – $2,100
- Per linear ft
- $10 – $35
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +1%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #135
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a French drain in the Missoula area: $600 to $2,100 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 $24.00 an hour in the Missoula area, 6% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Missoula, MT, standard level
$1,050 to $1,650
About $17.50 to $27.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $480 | $760 |
| Labor | $570 | $900 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,050 | $1,650 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Missoula, MT
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $620 | $970 | 46% |
| Labor | $330 | $730 | $1,150 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $600 | $1,350 | $2,100 | 100% |
Where the Missoula price comes from
Labor is 54% 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 Missoula the blended ratio comes out at 1.05.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Missoula is at 96.0 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $650 nationally becomes $620 here (midpoint, 60 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 96.4: $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 Missoula. The wage table below marks each row.
What nearby projects cost in Missoula
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Missoula wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sprinkler system comes out highest (+5%) and retaining wall lowest (−3%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,850 – $13,000 | −3% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,550 – $10,300 | +1% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,400 | +4% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,200 | level |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,200 – $10,500 | +5% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $36,400 – $113,500 | +1% |
The best months for French drain in Missoula
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Missoula Intl 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 Missoula are May through September: 5 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, April, October, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, April, October, 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 173 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Missoula gets about 14 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 43 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (2.1 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and August are the driest, at 0.8 and 0.8 inches. The station averages about 27 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 | 18 | 1.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 21 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 27 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 56 | 32 | 1.4 | Cold |
| May | 66 | 40 | 1.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 73 | 46 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Jul | 85 | 52 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 50 | 0.8 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 42 | 1.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 56 | 32 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Nov | 40 | 25 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 31 | 18 | 1.1 | Cold |
Missoula against nearby metros and the rest of Montana
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 $1,600 across Missoula and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MTthis page | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID120 miles | $630 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +4% |
| Spokane, WA175 miles | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | +14% |
| Bozeman, MT185 miles | $630 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +4% |
| Kennewick, WA240 miles | $710 – $2,450 | $1,600 | +17% |
| Idaho Falls, ID255 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | level |
| Montana (statewide) | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −1% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −1% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Missoula ranks #135 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Missoula is 1% above the Montana figure.
Elsewhere in Montana
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | 93,800 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −1% |
| Bozeman, MT | 72,210 jobs | $630 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Missoula against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $590 – $2,050 | $1,350 | −2% |
| Logan, UT | 66,800 jobs | $590 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −3% |
| Morgantown, WV | 67,370 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −7% |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 66,610 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | level |
Who does the work: Missoula 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 Missoula the blend is 1.05.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $24.00 an hour, which is 6% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.41 and $26.36 an hour. BLS counts 510 of them working in the area, 76.0 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 $30.79 an hour, 7% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $27.85 and $34.50 an hour. About 310 work in the metro. That is 46.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Pipelayers (47-2151) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Missoula metro, so we used the Montana statewide median: $23.12 an hour against $23.56 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $22.83 and $29.89 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $35 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $40. That is a swing of roughly 3.0% to 2.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Missoula has 67,070 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 270th 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% | $21.41 | $24.00 | $26.36 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $27.85 | $30.79 | $34.50 | $28.78 | 1.07 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $22.83 | $23.12 | $29.89 | $23.56 | 0.98 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.05 | |||||
Pick a size, pick a tier: french drain pricing in Missoula
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Missoula. 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
$600 to $1,200
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,050 to $1,650
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,500 to $2,100
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $300 – $600 | $530 – $830 | $750 – $1,050 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $600 – $1,200 | $1,050 – $1,650 | $1,500 – $2,100 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,200 – $2,400 | $2,100 – $3,300 | $3,000 – $4,200 |
French drain: what moves the price in Missoula
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 $1,650 for Missoula, MT is attached.
Detailed french drain report for Missoula, MT, $9
Multi-page report for Missoula, MT: 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 Missoula: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Missoula?
For 60 linear ft, expect $600 to $2,100 in the Missoula area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,050 to $1,650. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Missoula?
About $10 to $35 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 Missoula or Coeur d'Alene?
Coeur d'Alene is 120 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,400, which is 4% more than Missoula ($1,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Missoula?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $730 out of $1,350. Materials are 46% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Missoula?
$600 to $2,100. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Missoula?
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 Missoula area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Missoula expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Montana?
Missoula is 1% above the Montana statewide estimate ($1,350 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in Montana; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Missoula?
The BLS median is $24.00 an hour in the Missoula area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.41 to $26.36.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Missoula?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $600 to $1,200 and premium work $1,500 to $2,100. 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 Missoula?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are May through September. July 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 Missoula
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.