French drain cost in Providence, RI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $670 – $2,350
- Per linear ft
- $11 – $39.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +12%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #66
- 1 = most expensive
A French drain in Providence, RI usually costs $670 to $2,350 for 60 linear ft. That works out to about $11 to $39.50 per linear ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $170 more. Construction laborers earn a median of $28.50 an hour in the Providence area, 26% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Providence, RI, standard level
$1,200 to $1,850
About $19.50 to $31 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 59% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $490 | $770 |
| Labor | $690 | $1,100 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,200 | $1,850 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Providence, RI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $630 | $980 | 41% |
| Labor | $390 | $890 | $1,400 | 59% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $670 | $1,500 | $2,350 | 100% |
Why Providence prices look the way they do
Labor is 59% 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 Providence the blended ratio comes out at 1.27.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Providence is at 97.1 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 101.8: $0 to $0.
Why two Providence 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.
What nearby projects cost in Providence
Jobs that often go together with French drain are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Providence wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, retaining wall comes out highest (+13%) and concrete slab lowest (+5%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,300 – $14,800 | +13% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,750 – $11,100 | +9% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,600 – $3,550 | +7% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,450 | +5% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,450 – $11,100 | +11% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $40,500 – $126,500 | +12% |
Providence: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Providence. 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
$670 to $1,350
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,200 to $1,850
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,700 to $2,350
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $340 – $670 | $590 – $930 | $840 – $1,200 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $670 – $1,350 | $1,200 – $1,850 | $1,700 – $2,350 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,350 – $2,700 | $2,350 – $3,700 | $3,350 – $4,700 |
What local crews earn in Providence
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 Providence the blend is 1.27.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $28.50 an hour, which is 26% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.10 and $37.25 an hour. BLS counts 3,240 of them working in the area, 45.4 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 $33.61 an hour, 17% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.92 and $40.30 an hour. About 1,570 work in the metro. That is 22.0 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 $33.77 an hour, which is 43% above the national $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $23.89 and $38.11 an hour. BLS counts 40 of them working in the area, 0.6 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 $140 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $85. That is a swing of roughly 5.5% to 8.9% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Providence-Warwick has 714,120 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 42nd 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% | $23.10 | $28.50 | $37.25 | $22.66 | 1.26 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $29.92 | $33.61 | $40.30 | $28.78 | 1.17 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $23.89 | $33.77 | $38.11 | $23.56 | 1.43 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.27 | |||||
Providence 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, Providence T F Green 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 Providence 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 109 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Providence gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and December (4.9 inches in March). Inside the workable window, May and July are the driest, at 3.4 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 12 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 | 38 | 22 | 4.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 24 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 30 | 4.9 | Cold |
| Apr | 59 | 40 | 4.3 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 59 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 65 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 64 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 57 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 45 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 36 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 43 | 28 | 4.7 | Cold |
Is Providence cheap or dear? The local comparison
Of the five closest metros, 2 are cheaper than Providence. Norwich is the lowest at about $1,400 (midpoint, 60 linear ft), 45 miles away.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RIthis page | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | |
| Norwich, CT45 miles | $620 – $2,150 | $1,400 | −8% |
| Worcester, MA55 miles | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | +3% |
| Boston, MA60 miles | $710 – $2,500 | $1,600 | +5% |
| Barnstable, MA60 miles | $680 – $2,400 | $1,550 | +2% |
| Hartford, CT65 miles | $650 – $2,250 | $1,450 | −4% |
| Rhode Island (statewide) | $630 – $2,200 | $1,400 | −6% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −11% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Providence ranks #66 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Providence is 7% above the Rhode Island figure.
Providence is the only Rhode Island metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Providence against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | −15% |
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −11% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | −19% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −20% |
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Detailed french drain report for Providence, RI, $9
Multi-page report for Providence, RI: 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 Providence: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Providence?
For 60 linear ft, expect $670 to $2,350 in the Providence area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,200 to $1,850. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Providence?
About $11 to $39.50 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 Providence or Norwich?
Norwich is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,400, which is 8% less than Providence ($1,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Providence?
About 59% at the midpoint, or $890 out of $1,500. Materials are 41% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Providence?
$670 to $2,350. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Providence?
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 Providence area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Providence expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Rhode Island?
Providence is 7% above the Rhode Island statewide estimate ($1,400 at the midpoint).
+What do construction laborers earn in Providence?
The BLS median is $28.50 an hour in the Providence area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $23.10 to $37.25.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Providence?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $670 to $1,350 and premium work $1,700 to $2,350. 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 Providence?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through November. May and July 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 Providence
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.