French drain cost in Richmond, VA
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
- $9.45 – $33
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −5%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #196
- 1 = most expensive
Richmond homeowners pay roughly $570 to $2,000 to install a French drain at 60 linear ft, or $9.45 to $33 per linear ft (permit not included). Against the US midpoint, Richmond is 5% lower. Construction laborers earn a median of $20.39 an hour in the Richmond area, 10% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Richmond, VA, standard level
$990 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 | $790 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $990 | $1,550 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Richmond, VA
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $280 | $630 | $980 | 49% |
| Labor | $290 | $650 | $1,000 | 51% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $570 | $1,300 | $2,000 | 100% |
What is behind the Richmond number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 3 trades: construction laborers at 50%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%, pipelayers at 20%. Weighted together, Richmond wages are 0.93 times the national level. Labor makes up about 51% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Richmond metro is 96.8 (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 (97.9) and land at $0 to $0.
When to schedule French drain in Richmond
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Richmond Intl Ap (10 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
March through June and August through November are the stretches where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Richmond (8 of 12 months). January, February and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F); July has an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
In January, February 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 74 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Richmond gets about 46 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 9 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, August and September (4.9 inches in August). Inside the workable window, April and November are the driest, at 3.2 and 3.1 inches. The station averages about 45 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 | 48 | 29 | 3.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 52 | 30 | 2.6 | Cold |
| Mar | 60 | 37 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Apr | 70 | 46 | 3.2 | Workable |
| May | 78 | 56 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Jun | 86 | 65 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 90 | 69 | 4.4 | Hot |
| Aug | 88 | 68 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Sep | 81 | 61 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Oct | 71 | 49 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 60 | 39 | 3.1 | Workable |
| Dec | 52 | 32 | 3.5 | Cold |
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 Richmond is 0.93 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $20.39 an hour, 10% below the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $18.21 and $22.61 an hour. About 4,560 work in the metro. That is 69.1 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 $26.58 an hour, which is 8% below the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $23.08 and $29.75 an hour. BLS counts 2,220 of them working in the area, 33.6 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 $23.41 an hour, in line with the US median of $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $22.16 and $28.40 an hour. About 240 work in the metro. That is 3.6 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 ($22.61 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $35. At the 25th percentile ($18.21) it shrinks by about $35. The total moves by 2.7% or 2.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 660,350 jobs in the Richmond area. That makes it the 45th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.42% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $18.21 | $20.39 | $22.61 | $22.66 | 0.90 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $23.08 | $26.58 | $29.75 | $28.78 | 0.92 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $22.16 | $23.41 | $28.40 | $23.56 | 0.99 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.93 | |||||
Richmond against nearby metros and the rest of Virginia
Same job, same size (60 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Washington is the priciest of the group at $1,400. Lynchburg is the cheapest at $1,200.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VAthis page | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | |
| Virginia Beach, VA70 miles | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | −3% |
| Charlottesville, VA75 miles | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | +2% |
| Lexington Park, MD80 miles | $610 – $2,150 | $1,350 | +7% |
| Lynchburg, VA95 miles | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −5% |
| Washington, DC100 miles | $630 – $2,200 | $1,400 | +10% |
| Virginia (statewide) | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | +3% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +6% |
Across 300 US metros, Richmond comes in at #196 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, Richmond is 3% below the Virginia figure.
Other Virginia metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | −3% |
| Roanoke, VA | 153,980 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −4% |
| Charlottesville, VA | 114,780 jobs | $580 – $2,050 | $1,300 | +2% |
| Lynchburg, VA | 97,190 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −5% |
| Blacksburg, VA | 74,070 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −2% |
| Winchester, VA | 67,740 jobs | $560 – $1,950 | $1,250 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Richmond's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Richmond against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −5% |
| Memphis, TN | 611,670 jobs | $570 – $2,000 | $1,300 | level |
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | +5% |
| Hartford, CT | 599,770 jobs | $650 – $2,250 | $1,450 | +14% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Richmond 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.
What nearby projects cost in Richmond
Because every project leans on different trades, Richmond's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, sod installation runs −4% and concrete slab −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 – $3,150 | −4% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,250 – $4,800 | −8% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $3,800 – $9,500 | −5% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $33,700 – $105,000 | −7% |
Richmond: what basic, standard and premium work costs
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Richmond 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
$990 to $1,550
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,400 to $2,000
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $280 – $570 | $500 – $780 | $710 – $990 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $570 – $1,150 | $990 – $1,550 | $1,400 – $2,000 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,150 – $2,250 | $2,000 – $3,100 | $2,850 – $3,950 |
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French drain in Richmond: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Richmond?
For 60 linear ft, expect $570 to $2,000 in the Richmond area. A standard-spec job lands at $990 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 Richmond?
About $9.45 to $33 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 Richmond or Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach is 70 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,250, which is 3% less than Richmond ($1,300). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Richmond?
About 51% at the midpoint, or $650 out of $1,300. Materials are 49% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Richmond?
$570 to $2,000. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Richmond?
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 Richmond area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Richmond expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Virginia?
Richmond is 3% below the Virginia statewide estimate ($1,300 at the midpoint). We cover 8 metros in Virginia; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Richmond?
The BLS median is $20.39 an hour in the Richmond area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $18.21 to $22.61.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Richmond?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $570 to $1,150 and premium work $1,400 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 Richmond?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and August 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 Richmond
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.