French drain cost in Raleigh, 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
- #190
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a French drain in Raleigh, plan on $570 to $2,000 for 60 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $9.50 to $33.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 5% lower than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $21.95 an hour in the Raleigh area, 3% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Raleigh, 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 | $800 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,000 | $1,550 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Raleigh, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $630 | $970 | 49% |
| Labor | $290 | $660 | $1,000 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $570 | $1,300 | $2,000 | 100% |
Where the Raleigh price comes from
Labor is 51% 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 Raleigh the blended ratio comes out at 0.94.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Raleigh metro is 96.6 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 60 linear ft comes to $630, compared with $650 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (98.2) and land at $0 to $0.
Raleigh against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
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 $1,250 to $1,300 across Raleigh and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NCthis page | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | |
| Durham, NC40 miles | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | level |
| Burlington, NC55 miles | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −2% |
| Fayetteville, NC60 miles | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −2% |
| Greenville, NC60 miles | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −3% |
| Greensboro, NC75 miles | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | −4% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −1% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +5% |
Across 300 US metros, Raleigh comes in at #190 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, Raleigh is 1% above the North Carolina figure.
Other North Carolina metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | 1,358,370 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | level |
| Greensboro, NC | 365,410 jobs | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | −4% |
| Durham, NC | 344,020 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | level |
| 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 |
Cities with a workforce like Raleigh's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Raleigh against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | −4% |
| Providence, RI | 714,120 jobs | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | +18% |
| Jacksonville, FL | 765,930 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −2% |
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +5% |
Climate in Raleigh: timing your French drain job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Raleigh Durham Intl Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through June and August through December are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Raleigh (10 of 12 months). January has an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); 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.
Raleigh 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.
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 | 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 |
Cost by quality level and size in Raleigh
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Raleigh 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
$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 – $780 | $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 |
Specs and site conditions that change a Raleigh 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.
Raleigh 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 Raleigh is 0.94 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $21.95 an hour, 3% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.31 and $23.77 an hour. About 6,360 work in the metro. That is 85.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $24.57 an hour, which is 15% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.05 and $28.70 an hour. BLS counts 3,080 of them working in the area, 41.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is deeper than average.
Pipelayers (47-2151), 20% of the weighting: a median of $23.26 an hour, in line with the US median of $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $22.10 and $27.75 an hour. About 640 work in the metro. That is 8.6 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($23.77 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $30. At the 25th percentile ($18.31) it shrinks by about $55. The total moves by 2.2% or 4.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 743,120 jobs in the Raleigh-Cary area. That makes it the 41st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.48% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $18.31 | $21.95 | $23.77 | $22.66 | 0.97 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $23.05 | $24.57 | $28.70 | $28.78 | 0.85 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $22.10 | $23.26 | $27.75 | $23.56 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.94 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Raleigh
Because every project leans on different trades, Raleigh's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sod installation runs −3% and retaining wall −8%.
| 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 | −3% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,850 | −7% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,800 – $9,500 | −5% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,600 – $105,000 | −7% |
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 $1,000 to $1,550 for Raleigh, NC is attached.
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Multi-page report for Raleigh, 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 Raleigh: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Raleigh?
For 60 linear ft, expect $570 to $2,000 in the Raleigh 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 Raleigh?
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 Raleigh or Durham?
Durham is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,300, which is 0% more than Raleigh ($1,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Raleigh?
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 Raleigh?
$570 to $2,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Raleigh?
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 Raleigh area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Raleigh expensive for French drain compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Raleigh 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 Raleigh?
The BLS median is $21.95 an hour in the Raleigh area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.31 to $23.77.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Raleigh?
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 Raleigh?
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 Raleigh
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.