French drain cost in Durham, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $570 – $2,000
- Per linear ft
- $9.50 – $33.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #189
- 1 = most expensive
A French drain in Durham, NC usually costs $570 to $2,000 for 60 linear ft. That works out to about $9.50 to $33.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $65 less. Construction laborers earn a median of $22.38 an hour in the Durham area, 1% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Durham, NC, standard level
$1,000 to $1,550
About $16.50 to $26 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 51% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $490 | $770 |
| Labor | $510 | $810 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,550 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Durham, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $630 | $970 | 49% |
| Labor | $290 | $660 | $1,050 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $570 | $1,300 | $2,000 | 100% |
Where the Durham price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $22.38 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Durham is 0.94 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 51% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Durham is at 96.6 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 97.6: $0 to $0.
Related projects, priced for Durham
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Durham wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (−2%) and concrete slab lowest (−8%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,400 – $12,500 | −8% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,350 – $9,600 | −6% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,200 | −2% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,800 | −8% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,800 – $9,550 | −5% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,700 – $105,500 | −7% |
What local crews earn in Durham
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 Durham the blend is 0.94.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.38 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $19.03 and $25.15 an hour. BLS counts 1,120 of them working in the area, 32.6 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 $24.44 an hour, 15% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $22.61 and $29.62 an hour. About 480 work in the metro. That is 14.0 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 $22.53 an hour, which is 4% below the national $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $19.70 and $23.82 an hour. BLS counts 110 of them working in the area, 3.2 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 $45 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $50. That is a swing of roughly 4.0% to 3.3% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Durham-Chapel Hill has 344,020 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 74th 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% | $19.03 | $22.38 | $25.15 | $22.66 | 0.99 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $22.61 | $24.44 | $29.62 | $28.78 | 0.85 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $19.70 | $22.53 | $23.82 | $23.56 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.94 | |||||
Durham against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
Of the five closest metros, all are cheaper than Durham. Greensboro is the lowest at about $1,250 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 40 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham, NCthis page | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | |
| Burlington, NC15 miles | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −2% |
| Greensboro, NC40 miles | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | −4% |
| Raleigh, NC40 miles | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | level |
| Fayetteville, NC65 miles | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −2% |
| Winston, NC70 miles | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −3% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −1% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +5% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Durham ranks #189 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Durham is 1% above the North Carolina figure.
Elsewhere in North Carolina
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | level |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | level |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | −4% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −3% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $560 – $2,000 | $1,250 | −1% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Durham against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | 349,880 jobs | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | +22% |
| North Port, FL | 339,940 jobs | $560 – $2,000 | $1,250 | −1% |
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $510 – $1,800 | $1,150 | −10% |
| El Paso, TX | 339,120 jobs | $510 – $1,800 | $1,150 | −11% |
Durham 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, Raleigh Durham Intl Ap (10 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 Durham are February through June and August through December: 10 of 12. Outside them, January has an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F), and July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 65 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Durham gets about 46 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 5 inches of snow. The wettest months are July, August and September (5.2 inches in September). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.8 and 3.3 inches. The station averages about 52 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 | 52 | 32 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 56 | 34 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Mar | 63 | 40 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 73 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| May | 80 | 58 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 87 | 66 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 91 | 70 | 5.0 | Hot |
| Aug | 89 | 69 | 4.7 | Workable |
| Sep | 83 | 63 | 5.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 73 | 50 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 40 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 55 | 34 | 3.4 | Workable |
Specs and site conditions that change a Durham bid
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.
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).
Durham: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Durham. 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
$570 to $1,150
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,000 to $1,550
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 – $570 | $500 – $790 | $710 – $1,000 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $570 – $1,150 | $1,000 – $1,550 | $1,450 – $2,000 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,150 – $2,300 | $2,000 – $3,150 | $2,850 – $4,000 |
Get 3 local quotes
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Multi-page report for Durham, NC: 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 Durham: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Durham?
For 60 linear ft, expect $570 to $2,000 in the Durham area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,000 to $1,550. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Durham?
About $9.50 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 Durham or Burlington?
Burlington is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,250, which is 2% less than Durham ($1,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Durham?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $660 out of $1,300. Materials are 49% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Durham?
$570 to $2,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Durham?
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 Durham area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Durham expensive for French drain compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Durham is 1% above the North Carolina statewide estimate ($1,250 at the midpoint). We cover 11 metros in North Carolina; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Durham?
The BLS median is $22.38 an hour in the Durham area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $19.03 to $25.15.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Durham?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $570 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 Durham?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through June and August through December. February 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 Durham
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.