French drain cost in Kenosha, WI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (60 linear ft)
- $700 – $2,450
- Per linear ft
- $11.50 – $40.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +16%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #44
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a French drain in Kenosha, plan on $700 to $2,450 for 60 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $11.50 to $40.50 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 16% higher than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $24.06 an hour in the Kenosha area, 6% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Kenosha, WI, standard level
$1,200 to $1,900
About $20.50 to $32 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 56% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $540 | $840 |
| Labor | $680 | $1,050 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,200 | $1,900 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Kenosha, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $310 | $690 | $1,050 | 44% |
| Labor | $390 | $880 | $1,350 | 56% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $700 | $1,550 | $2,450 | 100% |
Where the Kenosha price comes from
The wage side of the estimate leans on construction laborers, who do 50% of the hours on a typical job. Their local median is $24.06 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Kenosha is 1.25 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 56% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Kenosha metro is 106.2 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 60 linear ft comes to $690, compared with $650 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (101.1) and land at $0 to $0.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Kenosha. The wage table below marks each row.
French drain: what moves the price in Kenosha
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.
Cost by quality level and size in Kenosha
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Kenosha 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
$700 to $1,400
Shallow yard drain, easy digging
Standard
$1,200 to $1,900
Standard drain with fabric, gravel and a pop-up outlet
Premium
$1,750 to $2,450
Deep or long drain, hard soil, dry well or sump discharge
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| short run (30 linear ft) | $350 – $700 | $610 – $960 | $870 – $1,200 |
| side yard (60 linear ft) | $700 – $1,400 | $1,200 – $1,900 | $1,750 – $2,450 |
| long run (120 linear ft) | $1,400 – $2,800 | $2,450 – $3,850 | $3,500 – $4,900 |
How Kenosha compares
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 $1,500 to $1,650 across Kenosha and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha, WIthis page | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | |
| Racine, WI15 miles | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | +1% |
| Milwaukee, WI20 miles | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | +1% |
| Chicago, IL55 miles | $740 – $2,600 | $1,650 | +6% |
| Janesville, WI60 miles | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | −4% |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $680 – $2,350 | $1,550 | −3% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −2% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −14% |
Across 300 US metros, Kenosha comes in at #44 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, Kenosha is 2% above the Wisconsin figure.
Other Wisconsin metros
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee, WI | 820,780 jobs | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | +1% |
| Madison, WI | 408,070 jobs | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | level |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −1% |
| Appleton, WI | 124,230 jobs | $710 – $2,450 | $1,600 | +1% |
| Oshkosh, WI | 93,750 jobs | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | −4% |
| Eau Claire, WI | 86,060 jobs | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −1% |
Cities with a workforce like Kenosha's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Kenosha against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warner Robins, GA | 76,050 jobs | $540 – $1,900 | $1,200 | −23% |
| Abilene, TX | 75,070 jobs | $530 – $1,850 | $1,200 | −24% |
| Racine, WI | 76,280 jobs | $700 – $2,450 | $1,600 | +1% |
| Sioux City, IA | 75,010 jobs | $590 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −15% |
Kenosha 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 Kenosha is 1.25 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $24.06 an hour, 6% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $21.67 and $29.45 an hour. About 340 work in the metro. That is 45.1 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 70.5 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
For operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073, weighted 30%) the local median is $35.19 an hour, which is 22% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.72 and $45.79 an hour. BLS counts 120 of them working in the area, 15.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Pipelayers (47-2151) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Kenosha metro, so we used the Wisconsin statewide median: $41.77 an hour against $23.56 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $38.94 and $44.98 an hour.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($29.45 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $85. At the 25th percentile ($21.67) it shrinks by about $35. The total moves by 5.3% or 2.4%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 75,450 jobs in the Kenosha area. That makes it the 245th largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.05% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $21.67 | $24.06 | $29.45 | $22.66 | 1.06 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $29.72 | $35.19 | $45.79 | $28.78 | 1.22 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $38.94 | $41.77 | $44.98 | $23.56 | 1.77 | state |
| Blended | 100% | 1.25 | |||||
Climate in Kenosha: timing your French drain job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Kenosha Rgnl Ap (5 miles from the city center). These are 30-year monthly averages, not forecasts.
April through October is the stretch where digging, grading and setting material in the ground runs into the fewest weather problems in Kenosha (7 of 12 months). January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, November 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 135 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Kenosha gets about 32 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The wettest months are April, June and August (3.7 inches in June). Inside the workable window, July and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 11 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 | 31 | 16 | 1.2 | Cold |
| Feb | 35 | 19 | 1.1 | Cold |
| Mar | 45 | 28 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 37 | 3.6 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 47 | 3.5 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 57 | 3.7 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 62 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 61 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 53 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 63 | 43 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Nov | 49 | 32 | 2.0 | Cold |
| Dec | 37 | 22 | 1.5 | Cold |
Related projects, priced for Kenosha
Because every project leans on different trades, Kenosha's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, retaining wall runs +13% and concrete slab +6%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,100 – $15,000 | +13% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,750 – $11,200 | +10% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,650 – $3,600 | +10% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,500 | +6% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,450 – $11,100 | +11% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $40,400 – $126,000 | +12% |
Get 3 local quotes
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Multi-page report for Kenosha, WI: 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 Kenosha: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Kenosha?
For 60 linear ft, expect $700 to $2,450 in the Kenosha area. A standard-spec job lands at $1,200 to $1,900. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for French drain in Kenosha?
About $11.50 to $40.50 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 Kenosha or Racine?
Racine is 15 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,600, which is 1% more than Kenosha ($1,550). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Kenosha?
About 56% at the midpoint, or $880 out of $1,550. Materials are 44% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Kenosha?
$700 to $2,450. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Kenosha?
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 Kenosha area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Kenosha expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Kenosha is 2% above the Wisconsin statewide estimate ($1,550 at the midpoint). We cover 12 metros in Wisconsin; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Kenosha?
The BLS median is $24.06 an hour in the Kenosha area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $21.67 to $29.45.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Kenosha?
For 60 linear ft, basic work runs $700 to $1,400 and premium work $1,750 to $2,450. 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 Kenosha?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. July and October 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 Kenosha
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.