French drain cost in Manchester, NH
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $580 – $2,050
- Per linear ft
- $9.65 – $34
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −3%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #177
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a French drain in the Manchester area: $580 to $2,050 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 3% lower than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $22.84 an hour in the Manchester area, 1% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Manchester, NH, standard level
$1,000 to $1,600
About $17 to $26.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $490 | $770 |
| Labor | $520 | $820 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,600 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Manchester, NH
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $630 | $980 | 48% |
| Labor | $300 | $670 | $1,050 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $580 | $1,300 | $2,050 | 100% |
What is behind the Manchester number
Labor is 52% 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 Manchester the blended ratio comes out at 0.96.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Manchester is at 97.7 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $650 nationally becomes $630 here (midpoint, 60 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 105.7: $0 to $0.
Planning more than one job in Manchester?
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Manchester wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (+5%) and concrete slab lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,150 – $13,500 | +1% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,500 – $10,100 | −1% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,450 | +5% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,150 | −1% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,000 – $10,000 | level |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $36,200 – $113,000 | level |
The best months for French drain in Manchester
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Manchester 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 Manchester are April through November: 8 of 12. Outside them, 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 129 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Manchester gets about 40 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, September and October (4.0 inches in June). Inside the workable window, April and July are the driest, at 3.3 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 16 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 | 34 | 17 | 2.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 37 | 19 | 2.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 46 | 27 | 3.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 59 | 38 | 3.3 | Workable |
| May | 70 | 48 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 58 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 64 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 62 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 54 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Oct | 62 | 42 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 50 | 33 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Dec | 39 | 24 | 3.3 | Cold |
Who does the work: Manchester 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 Manchester the blend is 0.96.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.84 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.68 and $26.49 an hour. BLS counts 1,070 of them working in the area, 53.6 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 $29.02 an hour, in line with the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $25.00 and $33.38 an hour. About 210 work in the metro. That is 10.5 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 $17.93 an hour, which is 24% below the national $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $17.93 and $28.11 an hour. BLS counts 60 of them working in the area, 3.0 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 $55 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $50. That is a swing of roughly 3.7% to 4.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Manchester-Nashua has 199,560 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 115th 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% | $19.68 | $22.84 | $26.49 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $25.00 | $29.02 | $33.38 | $28.78 | 1.01 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $17.93 | $17.93 | $28.11 | $23.56 | 0.76 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.96 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Manchester
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Manchester. 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 $2,050
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $290 – $580 | $510 – $800 | $730 – $1,000 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $580 – $1,150 | $1,000 – $1,600 | $1,450 – $2,050 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,150 – $2,300 | $2,050 – $3,200 | $2,900 – $4,050 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Manchester bid
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 Manchester 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 $1,300 to $1,600 across Manchester and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester, NHthis page | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | |
| Worcester, MA45 miles | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | +20% |
| Boston, MA45 miles | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | +22% |
| Amherst, MA60 miles | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +15% |
| Springfield, MA70 miles | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +16% |
| Portland, ME85 miles | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | +6% |
| New Hampshire (statewide) | $620 – $2,150 | $1,400 | +6% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Manchester ranks #177 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Manchester is 6% below the New Hampshire figure.
Manchester is the only New Hampshire metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Manchester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Maria, CA | 200,760 jobs | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | +23% |
| Savannah, GA | 198,360 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −8% |
| Springfield, MA | 201,240 jobs | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +16% |
| Modesto, CA | 195,230 jobs | $740 – $2,600 | $1,650 | +28% |
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Detailed french drain report for Manchester, NH, $9
Multi-page report for Manchester, NH: 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 Manchester: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Manchester?
For 60 linear ft, expect $580 to $2,050 in the Manchester 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 Manchester?
About $9.65 to $34 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 Manchester or Worcester?
Worcester is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,550, which is 20% more than Manchester ($1,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Manchester?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $670 out of $1,300. Materials are 48% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Manchester?
$580 to $2,050. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Manchester?
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 Manchester area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Manchester expensive for French drain compared with the rest of New Hampshire?
Manchester is 6% below the New Hampshire statewide estimate ($1,400 at the midpoint).
+What do construction laborers earn in Manchester?
The BLS median is $22.84 an hour in the Manchester area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.68 to $26.49.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Manchester?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $580 to $1,150 and premium work $1,450 to $2,050. 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 Manchester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. April and July 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 Manchester
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.