French drain cost in Trenton, NJ
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $730 – $2,550
- Per linear ft
- $12 – $43
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +22%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #18
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a French drain in the Trenton area: $730 to $2,550 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 22% higher than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $34.58 an hour in the Trenton area, 53% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Trenton, NJ, standard level
$1,300 to $2,000
About $21.50 to $33.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $500 | $790 |
| Labor | $780 | $1,250 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,300 | $2,000 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Trenton, NJ
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $290 | $650 | $1,000 | 39% |
| Labor | $450 | $1,000 | $1,550 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $730 | $1,650 | $2,550 | 100% |
What is behind the Trenton number
Labor is 61% 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 Trenton the blended ratio comes out at 1.43.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Trenton is at 99.8 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $650 nationally becomes $650 here (midpoint, 60 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 103.2: $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 Trenton. The wage table below marks each row.
Specs and site conditions that change a Trenton bid
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).
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.
Who does the work: Trenton 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 Trenton the blend is 1.43.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $34.58 an hour, which is 53% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.43 and $51.14 an hour. BLS counts 960 of them working in the area, 40.0 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 $33.56 an hour, 17% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.88 and $57.38 an hour. About 270 work in the metro. That is 11.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Pipelayers (47-2151) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Trenton metro, so we used the New Jersey statewide median: $37.90 an hour against $23.56 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $30.46 and $46.79 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $260 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $170. That is a swing of roughly 10.4% to 15.5% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Trenton-Princeton has 240,190 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 105th 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% | $23.43 | $34.58 | $51.14 | $22.66 | 1.53 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $29.88 | $33.56 | $57.38 | $28.78 | 1.17 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $30.46 | $37.90 | $46.79 | $23.56 | 1.61 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.43 | |||||
Planning more than one job in Trenton?
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Trenton wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, gravel driveway comes out highest (+17%) and sod installation lowest (+6%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,350 – $15,100 | +14% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,950 – $11,900 | +17% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,600 – $3,500 | +6% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,850 | +13% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,650 – $11,700 | +17% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $42,300 – $132,000 | +17% |
The best months for French drain in Trenton
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Trenton Mercer Co 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 Trenton are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February 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 97 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Trenton gets about 46 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 27 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.4 inches in July). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 22 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 | 40 | 24 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 43 | 26 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 51 | 33 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 63 | 42 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 72 | 52 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 81 | 61 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 67 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 65 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 58 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 66 | 46 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 55 | 36 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 44 | 29 | 4.0 | Cold |
Pick a size, pick a tier: french drain pricing in Trenton
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Trenton. 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
$730 to $1,450
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,300 to $2,000
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,850 to $2,550
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $370 – $730 | $640 – $1,000 | $920 – $1,300 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $730 – $1,450 | $1,300 – $2,000 | $1,850 – $2,550 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,450 – $2,950 | $2,550 – $4,050 | $3,650 – $5,150 |
Is Trenton cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 4 are cheaper than Trenton. Reading is the lowest at about $1,350 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 65 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton, NJthis page | $730 – $2,550 | $1,650 | |
| Philadelphia, PA40 miles | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −13% |
| Allentown, PA50 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −18% |
| New York, NY55 miles | $770 – $2,700 | $1,750 | +5% |
| Reading, PA65 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −18% |
| Atlantic City, NJ70 miles | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −6% |
| New Jersey (statewide) | $760 – $2,650 | $1,700 | +4% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −18% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Trenton ranks #18 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Trenton is 3% below the New Jersey figure.
Elsewhere in New Jersey
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City, NJ | 168,700 jobs | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −6% |
| Vineland, NJ | 62,300 jobs | $780 – $2,750 | $1,750 | +7% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Trenton against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Bay, FL | 245,170 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −23% |
| Augusta, GA | 231,930 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −27% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −18% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 225,520 jobs | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −12% |
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French drain in Trenton: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Trenton?
For 60 linear ft, expect $730 to $2,550 in the Trenton area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,300 to $2,000. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Trenton?
About $12 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 Trenton or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,450, which is 13% less than Trenton ($1,650). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Trenton?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $1,000 out of $1,650. Materials are 39% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Trenton?
$730 to $2,550. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Trenton?
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 Trenton area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Trenton expensive for French drain compared with the rest of New Jersey?
Trenton is 3% below the New Jersey statewide estimate ($1,700 at the midpoint). We cover 3 metros in New Jersey; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Trenton?
The BLS median is $34.58 an hour in the Trenton area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.43 to $51.14.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Trenton?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $730 to $1,450 and premium work $1,850 to $2,550. 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 Trenton?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. April 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 Trenton
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.