French drain cost in Winston, 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
- $9.20 – $32
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −8%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #231
- 1 = most expensive
Winston homeowners pay roughly $550 to $1,950 to install a French drain at 60 linear ft, or $9.20 to $32 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Winston is 8% lower. Construction laborers earn a median of $20.29 an hour in the Winston area, 10% below the US median of $22.66.
Estimate your french drain cost
Pick a size, a quality level and where you live. Prices update as you type.
Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Winston, NC, standard level
$970 to $1,500
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 | $750 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $970 | $1,500 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Winston, NC
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $630 | $970 | 50% |
| Labor | $270 | $620 | $960 | 50% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $550 | $1,250 | $1,950 | 100% |
Why Winston 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 $20.29 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Winston is 0.88 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 50% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Winston 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 (92.0) and land at $0 to $0.
Local wages behind the labor line
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 Winston is 0.88 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $20.29 an hour, 10% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.01 and $22.76 an hour. About 2,000 work in the metro. That is 73.5 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 $22.88 an hour, which is 21% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $21.65 and $24.80 an hour. BLS counts 770 of them working in the area, 28.3 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is about average.
Pipelayers (47-2151), 20% of the weighting: a median of $22.67 an hour, 4% below the US median of $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $19.48 and $25.82 an hour. About 190 work in the metro. That is 7.0 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 ($22.76 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $40. At the 25th percentile ($18.01) it shrinks by about $35. The total moves by 3.1% or 2.8%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 271,980 jobs in the Winston-Salem area. That makes it the 94th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.17% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $18.01 | $20.29 | $22.76 | $22.66 | 0.90 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $21.65 | $22.88 | $24.80 | $28.78 | 0.79 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $19.48 | $22.67 | $25.82 | $23.56 | 0.96 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.88 | |||||
Why two Winston quotes can differ
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.
Crawl space drains
A crawl space French drain is $2,000-$8,000 installed.
Planning more than one job in Winston?
Because every project leans on different trades, Winston's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sod installation runs −5% and sprinkler system −11%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,150 – $12,200 | −11% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,250 – $9,250 | −9% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,450 – $3,150 | −5% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,200 – $4,700 | −10% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,550 – $8,950 | −11% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $32,300 – $101,000 | −11% |
When to schedule French drain in Winston
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Winston Salem Rynlds Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
February through December is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Winston (11 of 12 months). 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 64 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Winston gets about 43 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are July, August and September (4.5 inches in August). Inside the workable window, February and November are the driest, at 2.9 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 33 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 | 49 | 31 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 53 | 33 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Mar | 61 | 40 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Apr | 71 | 48 | 3.7 | Workable |
| May | 78 | 57 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jun | 85 | 65 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 69 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 68 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 61 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Oct | 71 | 49 | 3.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 60 | 39 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 52 | 34 | 3.3 | Workable |
Winston against nearby metros and the rest of North Carolina
Of the five closest metros, 1 is cheaper than Winston. Greensboro is the lowest at about $1,250 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 30 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winston, NCthis page | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | |
| Greensboro, NC30 miles | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | −1% |
| Burlington, NC55 miles | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +1% |
| Hickory, NC65 miles | $550 – $1,950 | $1,250 | level |
| Charlotte, NC70 miles | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +4% |
| Durham, NC70 miles | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +3% |
| North Carolina (statewide) | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | +2% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +9% |
Across 300 US metros, Winston comes in at #231 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, Winston is 2% below 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 | +4% |
| 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% |
| Wilmington, NC | 191,280 jobs | $560 – $2,000 | $1,250 | +2% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | +3% |
Cities with a workforce like Winston's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Winston against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, AR | 275,180 jobs | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | −5% |
| Ogden, UT | 271,370 jobs | $590 – $2,050 | $1,350 | +7% |
| Reno, NV | 275,680 jobs | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | +17% |
| Jackson, MS | 270,730 jobs | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | −4% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: french drain pricing in Winston
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Winston 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
$550 to $1,100
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$970 to $1,500
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 | $480 – $760 | $690 – $970 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $550 – $1,100 | $970 – $1,500 | $1,400 – $1,950 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,100 – $2,200 | $1,950 – $3,050 | $2,750 – $3,850 |
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 $970 to $1,500 for Winston, NC is attached.
Detailed french drain report for Winston, NC, $9
Multi-page report for Winston, 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 Winston: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Winston?
For 60 linear ft, expect $550 to $1,950 in the Winston area. A standard-spec job lands at $970 to $1,500. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Winston?
About $9.20 to $32 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 Winston or Greensboro?
Greensboro is 30 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,250, which is 1% less than Winston ($1,250). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Winston?
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 Winston?
$550 to $1,950. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Winston?
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 Winston area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Winston expensive for French drain compared with the rest of North Carolina?
Winston 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 Winston?
The BLS median is $20.29 an hour in the Winston area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.01 to $22.76.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Winston?
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 Winston?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are February 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 Winston
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.