French drain cost in Rochester, NY
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $640 – $2,250
- Per linear ft
- $10.50 – $37.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +7%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #94
- 1 = most expensive
A French drain in Rochester, NY usually costs $640 to $2,250 for 60 linear ft. That works out to about $10.50 to $37.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $95 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $23.70 an hour in the Rochester area, 5% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Rochester, NY, standard level
$1,100 to $1,750
About $18.50 to $29.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 55% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $500 | $790 |
| Labor | $620 | $980 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,100 | $1,750 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Rochester, NY
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $290 | $650 | $1,000 | 45% |
| Labor | $360 | $800 | $1,250 | 55% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $640 | $1,450 | $2,250 | 100% |
Why Rochester prices look the way they do
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $23.70 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Rochester is 1.14 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 55% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Rochester is at 99.7 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 97.0: $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 Rochester. The wage table below marks each row.
What local crews earn in Rochester
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 Rochester the blend is 1.14.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $23.70 an hour, which is 5% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.93 and $30.93 an hour. BLS counts 2,550 of them working in the area, 51.6 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 $31.60 an hour, 10% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $25.50 and $44.21 an hour. About 910 work in the metro. That is 18.4 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 Rochester metro, so we used the New York statewide median: $33.83 an hour against $23.56 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $25.25 and $38.64 an hour.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $110 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $60. That is a swing of roughly 4.0% to 7.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Rochester has 494,280 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 52nd 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% | $19.93 | $23.70 | $30.93 | $22.66 | 1.05 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $25.50 | $31.60 | $44.21 | $28.78 | 1.10 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $25.25 | $33.83 | $38.64 | $23.56 | 1.44 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.14 | |||||
Cost by quality level and size in Rochester
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Rochester. 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
$640 to $1,300
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,100 to $1,750
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,600 to $2,250
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $320 – $640 | $560 – $880 | $800 – $1,100 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $640 – $1,300 | $1,100 – $1,750 | $1,600 – $2,250 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,300 – $2,550 | $2,250 – $3,550 | $3,200 – $4,500 |
Planning more than one job in Rochester?
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Rochester wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, retaining wall comes out highest (+6%) and sod installation lowest (+1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,600 – $14,100 | +6% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,600 – $10,500 | +3% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,300 | +1% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,550 – $5,300 | +3% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,200 – $10,500 | +5% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $38,000 – $118,500 | +5% |
Is Rochester cheap or dear? The local comparison
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 $1,500 across Rochester and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, NYthis page | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | |
| Buffalo, NY60 miles | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +4% |
| Syracuse, NY70 miles | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −1% |
| Binghamton, NY105 miles | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | level |
| Utica, NY120 miles | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −1% |
| Erie, PA150 miles | $590 – $2,050 | $1,300 | −9% |
| New York (statewide) | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | +11% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −7% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Rochester ranks #94 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Rochester is 10% below the New York figure.
Elsewhere in New York
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 9,492,000 jobs | $770 – $2,700 | $1,750 | +20% |
| Buffalo, NY | 534,550 jobs | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +4% |
| Albany, NY | 449,410 jobs | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | +6% |
| Syracuse, NY | 300,130 jobs | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −1% |
| Poughkeepsie, NY | 268,970 jobs | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | +9% |
| Utica, NY | 118,390 jobs | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −1% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Rochester against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE | 498,100 jobs | $590 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −8% |
| Fresno, CA | 476,890 jobs | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | +10% |
| Birmingham, AL | 520,290 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −14% |
| Tulsa, OK | 458,730 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −15% |
Rochester 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, Rochester Gtr 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 Rochester 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.
Rochester gets about 35 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 102 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (3.6 inches in July). Inside the workable window, May and November are the driest, at 2.9 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 8 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 | 33 | 19 | 2.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 20 | 2.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 27 | 2.5 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 37 | 3.0 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 48 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 57 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jul | 83 | 62 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 81 | 61 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Sep | 74 | 54 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 61 | 43 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 34 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Dec | 39 | 25 | 2.7 | Cold |
Specs and site conditions that change a Rochester bid
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.
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 $1,100 to $1,750 for Rochester, NY is attached.
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French drain in Rochester: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Rochester?
For 60 linear ft, expect $640 to $2,250 in the Rochester area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,100 to $1,750. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Rochester?
About $10.50 to $37.50 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 Rochester or Buffalo?
Buffalo is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,500, which is 4% more than Rochester ($1,450). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Rochester?
About 55% at the midpoint, or $800 out of $1,450. Materials are 45% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Rochester?
$640 to $2,250. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Rochester?
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 Rochester area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Rochester expensive for French drain compared with the rest of New York?
Rochester is 10% below the New York statewide estimate ($1,600 at the midpoint). We cover 9 metros in New York; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Rochester?
The BLS median is $23.70 an hour in the Rochester area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.93 to $30.93.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Rochester?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $640 to $1,300 and premium work $1,600 to $2,250. 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 Rochester?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. May 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 Rochester
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.