French drain cost in Lincoln, NE
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $580 – $2,000
- Per linear ft
- $9.65 – $33.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −4%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #180
- 1 = most expensive
A French drain in Lincoln, NE usually costs $580 to $2,000 for 60 linear ft. That works out to about $9.65 to $33.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $50 less. Building materials run about 6% below the US average here (BEA goods price index 94.1).
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Lincoln, NE, standard level
$1,000 to $1,600
About $17 to $26.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 53% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $470 | $750 |
| Labor | $540 | $850 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,600 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Lincoln, NE
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $270 | $610 | $950 | 47% |
| Labor | $310 | $690 | $1,100 | 53% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $580 | $1,300 | $2,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Lincoln number
Labor is 53% 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 Lincoln the blended ratio comes out at 0.98.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Lincoln is at 94.1 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 91.6: $0 to $0.
Lincoln weather and the french drain calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 143 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Lincoln gets about 29 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 26 inches of snow. The wettest months are May, June and August (4.9 inches in May). Inside the workable window, April and October are the driest, at 2.7 and 2.1 inches. The station averages about 42 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 | 36 | 14 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 18 | 0.9 | Cold |
| Mar | 54 | 29 | 1.6 | Cold |
| Apr | 65 | 39 | 2.7 | Workable |
| May | 75 | 51 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Jul | 89 | 67 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 87 | 64 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 54 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 67 | 41 | 2.1 | Workable |
| Nov | 52 | 28 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Dec | 39 | 18 | 1.2 | Cold |
Lincoln: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Lincoln. 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
$580 to $1,150
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,000 to $1,600
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,450 to $2,000
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $290 – $580 | $510 – $800 | $720 – $1,000 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $580 – $1,150 | $1,000 – $1,600 | $1,450 – $2,000 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,150 – $2,300 | $2,000 – $3,200 | $2,900 – $4,050 |
How Lincoln compares
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Lincoln. Topeka is the lowest at about $1,300 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 135 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NEthis page | $580 – $2,000 | $1,300 | |
| Omaha, NE55 miles | $590 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +3% |
| Sioux City, IA120 miles | $590 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +3% |
| Topeka, KS135 miles | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −1% |
| Des Moines, IA170 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +4% |
| Kansas City, MO185 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +4% |
| Nebraska (statewide) | $580 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −1% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +4% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Lincoln ranks #180 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Lincoln is 1% above the Nebraska figure.
Elsewhere in Nebraska
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $590 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Lincoln against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| York, PA | 183,590 jobs | $620 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +8% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −1% |
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −7% |
| Davenport, IA | 180,450 jobs | $620 – $2,150 | $1,400 | +7% |
Related projects, priced for Lincoln
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Lincoln wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (−3%) and concrete slab lowest (−7%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,650 – $12,700 | −6% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,450 – $9,900 | −3% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −5% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,300 – $4,850 | −7% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,850 – $9,600 | −4% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $34,600 – $108,000 | −4% |
Why two Lincoln quotes can differ
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 local crews earn in Lincoln
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 Lincoln the blend is 0.98.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.45 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.28 and $24.46 an hour. BLS counts 1,250 of them working in the area, 68.4 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 $29.24 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $24.86 and $30.19 an hour. About 490 work in the metro. That is 26.8 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For pipelayers (47-2151, weighted 20%) the local median is $21.76 an hour, which is 8% below the national $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $18.52 and $26.84 an hour. BLS counts 60 of them working in the area, 3.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.1), so the local bench is deeper than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $30 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $50. That is a swing of roughly 3.8% to 2.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Lincoln has 182,620 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 126th 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% | $19.28 | $22.45 | $24.46 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $24.86 | $29.24 | $30.19 | $28.78 | 1.02 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $18.52 | $21.76 | $26.84 | $23.56 | 0.92 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.98 | |||||
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French drain in Lincoln: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Lincoln?
For 60 linear ft, expect $580 to $2,000 in the Lincoln area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,000 to $1,600. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Lincoln?
About $9.65 to $33.50 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 Lincoln or Omaha?
Omaha is 55 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,350, which is 3% more than Lincoln ($1,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Lincoln?
About 53% at the midpoint, or $690 out of $1,300. Materials are 47% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Lincoln?
$580 to $2,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Lincoln?
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 Lincoln area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Lincoln expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Nebraska?
Lincoln is 1% above the Nebraska statewide estimate ($1,300 at the midpoint). We cover 2 metros in Nebraska; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Lincoln?
The BLS median is $22.45 an hour in the Lincoln area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.28 to $24.46.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Lincoln?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $580 to $1,150 and premium work $1,450 to $2,000. 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 Lincoln?
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 Lincoln
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.