French drain cost in Hickory, NC
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $550 – $1,950
- Per linear ft
- $9.25 – $32.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #223
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a French drain in the Hickory area: $550 to $1,950 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 8% lower than the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $21.42 an hour in the Hickory area, 5% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Hickory, NC, standard level
$970 to $1,550
About $16 to $25.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 50% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $490 | $770 |
| Labor | $480 | $760 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $970 | $1,550 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Hickory, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $630 | $970 | 50% |
| Labor | $280 | $620 | $970 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $550 | $1,250 | $1,950 | 100% |
What is behind the Hickory number
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $21.42 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Hickory is 0.89 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 50% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Hickory 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 88.5: $0 to $0.
Who does the work: Hickory 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 Hickory the blend is 0.89.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $21.42 an hour, which is 5% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $17.03 and $24.58 an hour. BLS counts 800 of them working in the area, 51.9 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 $22.76 an hour, 21% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $19.88 and $27.84 an hour. About 370 work in the metro. That is 24.0 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 $20.80 an hour, which is 12% below the national $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $18.11 and $22.62 an hour. BLS counts 100 of them working in the area, 6.5 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 $50 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $70. That is a swing of roughly 5.4% to 3.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton has 154,090 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 152nd 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% | $17.03 | $21.42 | $24.58 | $22.66 | 0.95 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $19.88 | $22.76 | $27.84 | $28.78 | 0.79 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $18.11 | $20.80 | $22.62 | $23.56 | 0.88 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.89 | |||||
Why two Hickory 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 Hickory 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 $1,200 to $1,300 across Hickory and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory, NCthis page | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | |
| Johnson City, TN60 miles | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −2% |
| Charlotte, NC60 miles | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +3% |
| Asheville, NC65 miles | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +3% |
| Winston, NC65 miles | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | level |
| Spartanburg, SC70 miles | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | level |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +2% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +8% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Hickory ranks #223 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Hickory is 2% below 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 | +3% |
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +3% |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | −1% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +3% |
| Winston, NC | 271,980 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | level |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $560 – $2,000 | $1,250 | +2% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Hickory against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brownsville, TX | 157,450 jobs | $510 – $1,800 | $1,150 | −9% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −2% |
| Eugene, OR | 157,710 jobs | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | +16% |
| Gainesville, FL | 152,670 jobs | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −1% |
The best months for French drain in Hickory
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Hickory Faa 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 Hickory are February through December: 11 of 12. Outside them, January has an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
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 69 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Hickory gets about 47 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are June, July and August (4.6 inches in August). Inside the workable window, February and October are the driest, at 3.2 and 3.5 inches. The station averages about 33 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 | 49 | 30 | 3.8 | Cold |
| Feb | 53 | 33 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Mar | 61 | 40 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Apr | 70 | 48 | 4.1 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 56 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 64 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 68 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 67 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 70 | 49 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Nov | 60 | 39 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Dec | 52 | 33 | 3.9 | Workable |
Cost by quality level and size in Hickory
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Hickory. 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
$550 to $1,100
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$970 to $1,550
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,400 to $1,950
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $280 – $550 | $490 – $760 | $690 – $970 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $550 – $1,100 | $970 – $1,550 | $1,400 – $1,950 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,100 – $2,200 | $1,950 – $3,050 | $2,750 – $3,900 |
Related projects, priced for Hickory
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Hickory wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (−5%) and concrete slab lowest (−9%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,300 – $12,300 | −9% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,300 – $9,350 | −8% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,100 | −5% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,750 | −9% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,650 – $9,100 | −9% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $32,800 – $102,500 | −9% |
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French drain in Hickory: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Hickory?
For 60 linear ft, expect $550 to $1,950 in the Hickory area. A standard-spec job lands at $970 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 Hickory?
About $9.25 to $32.50 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 Hickory or Johnson City?
Johnson City is 60 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,200, which is 2% less than Hickory ($1,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Hickory?
About 50% at the midpoint, or $620 out of $1,250. Materials are 50% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Hickory?
$550 to $1,950. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Hickory?
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 Hickory area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Hickory expensive for French drain compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Hickory is 2% below 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 Hickory?
The BLS median is $21.42 an hour in the Hickory area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $17.03 to $24.58.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Hickory?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $550 to $1,100 and premium work $1,400 to $1,950. 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 Hickory?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February through December. February and October 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 Hickory
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.