French drain cost in York, PA
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $620 – $2,200
- Per linear ft
- $10.50 – $36.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +4%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #109
- 1 = most expensive
A French drain in York, PA usually costs $620 to $2,200 for 60 linear ft. That works out to about $10.50 to $36.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $55 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $23.72 an hour in the York area, 5% above 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 York, PA, standard level
$1,100 to $1,700
About $18 to $28.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 54% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $510 | $800 |
| Labor | $590 | $920 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,100 | $1,700 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in York, PA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $290 | $650 | $1,000 | 46% |
| Labor | $330 | $750 | $1,150 | 54% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $620 | $1,400 | $2,200 | 100% |
Why York 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 $23.72 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for York is 1.07 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 54% of the total.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. York is at 100.7 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 96.0: $0 to $0.
Pick a size, pick a tier: french drain pricing in York
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to York. 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
$620 to $1,250
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,100 to $1,700
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,550 to $2,200
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $310 – $620 | $550 – $860 | $780 – $1,100 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $620 – $1,250 | $1,100 – $1,700 | $1,550 – $2,200 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,250 – $2,500 | $2,200 – $3,450 | $3,100 – $4,350 |
York 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, York 3 Ssw Pump Stn (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 York 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 120 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
York gets about 46 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 25 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and September (5.1 inches in September). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.6 and 3.2 inches. The station averages about 28 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 | 41 | 21 | 3.3 | Cold |
| Feb | 45 | 23 | 2.8 | Cold |
| Mar | 55 | 30 | 4.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 67 | 40 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 77 | 50 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Jun | 84 | 59 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 88 | 63 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 86 | 62 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Sep | 80 | 55 | 5.1 | Workable |
| Oct | 68 | 43 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 56 | 33 | 3.2 | Workable |
| Dec | 45 | 26 | 3.5 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for York
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same York wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sprinkler system comes out highest (+4%) and sod installation lowest (level); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,100 – $13,500 | level |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,550 – $10,400 | +2% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,500 – $3,300 | level |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,500 – $5,300 | +2% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,150 – $10,400 | +4% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $36,800 – $115,000 | +2% |
Is York cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (60 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. York is the priciest of the group. Chambersburg is the cheapest at $1,350.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| York, PAthis page | $620 – $2,200 | $1,400 | |
| Lancaster, PA25 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −4% |
| Harrisburg, PA35 miles | $620 – $2,200 | $1,400 | level |
| Baltimore, MD45 miles | $610 – $2,150 | $1,400 | −2% |
| Chambersburg, PA55 miles | $590 – $2,050 | $1,350 | −6% |
| Reading, PA55 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −4% |
| Pennsylvania (statewide) | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −4% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −4% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, York ranks #109 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, York is 5% above the Pennsylvania figure.
Elsewhere in Pennsylvania
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia, PA | 2,897,830 jobs | $640 – $2,250 | $1,450 | +3% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 1,114,490 jobs | $610 – $2,150 | $1,350 | −3% |
| Allentown, PA | 377,180 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −3% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 335,010 jobs | $620 – $2,200 | $1,400 | level |
| Scranton, PA | 255,620 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −5% |
| Lancaster, PA | 252,230 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −4% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is York against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tallahassee, FL | 186,160 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −14% |
| Lincoln, NE | 182,620 jobs | $580 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −7% |
| Salinas, CA | 186,430 jobs | $730 – $2,550 | $1,650 | +17% |
| Asheville, NC | 180,620 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −9% |
What local crews earn in York
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 York the blend is 1.07.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $23.72 an hour, which is 5% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.34 and $28.97 an hour. BLS counts 1,250 of them working in the area, 68.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $29.74 an hour, 3% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $25.46 and $36.00 an hour. About 790 work in the metro. That is 43.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For pipelayers (47-2151, weighted 20%) the local median is $28.08 an hour, which is 19% above the national $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $23.92 and $30.74 an hour. BLS counts 30 of them working in the area, 1.6 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 2.1), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $80 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $20. That is a swing of roughly 1.5% to 5.8% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
York-Hanover has 183,590 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 125th 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% | $22.34 | $23.72 | $28.97 | $22.66 | 1.05 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $25.46 | $29.74 | $36.00 | $28.78 | 1.03 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $23.92 | $28.08 | $30.74 | $23.56 | 1.19 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.07 | |||||
Specs and site conditions that change a York 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).
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 $1,700 for York, PA is attached.
Take this estimate with you: PDF report, $9
Multi-page report for York, PA: 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 York: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in York?
For 60 linear ft, expect $620 to $2,200 in the York area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,100 to $1,700. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in York?
About $10.50 to $36.50 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 York or Lancaster?
Lancaster is 25 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,350, which is 4% less than York ($1,400). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in York?
About 54% at the midpoint, or $750 out of $1,400. Materials are 46% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in York?
$620 to $2,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in York?
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 York area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is York expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Pennsylvania?
York is 5% above the Pennsylvania statewide estimate ($1,350 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Pennsylvania; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in York?
The BLS median is $23.72 an hour in the York area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.34 to $28.97.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in York?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $620 to $1,250 and premium work $1,550 to $2,200. 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 York?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. April 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 York
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.