French drain cost in Vineland, NJ
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $780 – $2,750
- Per linear ft
- $13 – $46
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +31%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #5
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a French drain in Vineland, plan on $780 to $2,750 for 60 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $13 to $46 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 31% higher than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $40.23 an hour in the Vineland area, 78% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Vineland, NJ, standard level
$1,350 to $2,150
About $23 to $36 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 63% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $500 | $790 |
| Labor | $870 | $1,350 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,350 | $2,150 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Vineland, NJ
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $290 | $650 | $1,000 | 37% |
| Labor | $500 | $1,100 | $1,750 | 63% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $780 | $1,750 | $2,750 | 100% |
Where the Vineland price comes from
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, Vineland wages are 1.59 times the national level. Labor makes up about 63% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Vineland metro is 99.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 60 linear ft comes to $650, compared with $650 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (96.0) and land at $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 Vineland. The wage table below marks each row.
Vineland labor market for French drain
Wages are the part of this estimate that changes most from town to town. 3 trades carry the job here, and each is compared with its US median. The weighted result for Vineland is 1.59 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $40.23 an hour, 78% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.01 and $46.68 an hour. About 440 work in the metro. That is 70.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $36.89 an hour, which is 28% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $28.24 and $58.94 an hour. BLS counts 180 of them working in the area, 28.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Pipelayers (47-2151) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Vineland 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.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($46.68 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $100. At the 25th percentile ($23.01) it shrinks by about $270. The total moves by 5.7% or 15.1%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 62,300 jobs in the Vineland area. That makes it the 279th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.04% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $23.01 | $40.23 | $46.68 | $22.66 | 1.78 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $28.24 | $36.89 | $58.94 | $28.78 | 1.28 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $30.46 | $37.90 | $46.79 | $23.56 | 1.61 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.59 | |||||
Climate in Vineland: timing your French drain job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Millville Muni Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through November is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Vineland (8 of 12 months). 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 108 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Vineland gets about 43 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are March, July and August (4.6 inches in August). Inside the workable window, May and September are the driest, at 3.1 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 22 days a year at 90°F or above.
Does the season change the price? Probably, but we do not have a sourced seasonal price curve, so the estimator shows a year-round figure and does not adjust by month. When you collect quotes, ask whether scheduling in a slower month gets a better rate.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 42 | 24 | 3.1 | Cold |
| Feb | 45 | 25 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 52 | 31 | 4.1 | Cold |
| Apr | 64 | 41 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 73 | 50 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 60 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 86 | 66 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 84 | 64 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 78 | 57 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 67 | 45 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 56 | 35 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 47 | 28 | 4.0 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Vineland?
Because every project leans on different trades, Vineland's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, gravel driveway runs +26% and sod installation +5%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,750 – $15,500 | +19% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $3,200 – $12,800 | +26% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,600 – $3,450 | +5% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,800 | +12% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,950 – $12,300 | +23% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $44,800 – $140,000 | +24% |
Why two Vineland 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.
Is Vineland cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Vineland. Dover is the lowest at about $1,300 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 25 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vineland, NJthis page | $780 – $2,750 | $1,750 | |
| Atlantic City, NJ20 miles | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −12% |
| Dover, DE25 miles | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −26% |
| Philadelphia, PA40 miles | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −18% |
| Trenton, NJ70 miles | $730 – $2,550 | $1,650 | −6% |
| Baltimore, MD75 miles | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | −22% |
| New Jersey (statewide) | $760 – $2,650 | $1,700 | −3% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −24% |
Across 300 US metros, Vineland comes in at #5 from the top. The priciest is San Francisco, CA at $1,900; the cheapest is McAllen, TX at $1,100 (midpoints, 60 linear ft). Statewide, Vineland is 3% above the New Jersey figure.
Other New Jersey metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton, NJ | 240,190 jobs | $730 – $2,550 | $1,650 | −6% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | 168,700 jobs | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −12% |
Cities with a workforce like Vineland's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Vineland against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muskegon, MI | 62,340 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −24% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 62,230 jobs | $520 – $1,850 | $1,150 | −33% |
| Terre Haute, IN | 65,120 jobs | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | −22% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −24% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: french drain pricing in Vineland
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Vineland wages and prices. They overlap on purpose: a good standard job and a modest premium job can cost the same. The grid below prices the same bands at 3 common sizes.
Basic
$780 to $1,550
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,350 to $2,150
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,950 to $2,750
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $390 – $780 | $690 – $1,100 | $980 – $1,350 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $780 – $1,550 | $1,350 – $2,150 | $1,950 – $2,750 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,550 – $3,150 | $2,750 – $4,300 | $3,900 – $5,500 |
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Detailed french drain report for Vineland, NJ, $9
Multi-page report for Vineland, NJ: 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 Vineland: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Vineland?
For 60 linear ft, expect $780 to $2,750 in the Vineland area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,350 to $2,150. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Vineland?
About $13 to $46 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 Vineland or Atlantic City?
Atlantic City is 20 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,550, which is 12% less than Vineland ($1,750). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Vineland?
About 63% at the midpoint, or $1,100 out of $1,750. Materials are 37% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Vineland?
$780 to $2,750. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Vineland?
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 Vineland area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Vineland expensive for French drain compared with the rest of New Jersey?
Vineland is 3% above 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 Vineland?
The BLS median is $40.23 an hour in the Vineland area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.01 to $46.68.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Vineland?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $780 to $1,550 and premium work $1,950 to $2,750. 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 Vineland?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. May and September 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 Vineland
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.