French drain cost in Madison, 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 – $41
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +17%
- US $1,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #39
- 1 = most expensive
If you want to install a French drain in Madison, plan on $700 to $2,450 for 60 linear ft, all in. Per linear ft, that is $11.50 to $41 for materials and labor, with the permit on top. The local midpoint runs 17% higher than the national one. Construction laborers earn a median of $27.40 an hour in the Madison area, 21% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 60 linear ft in Madison, WI, standard level
$1,200 to $1,900
About $20.50 to $32 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 61% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $470 | $740 |
| Labor | $750 | $1,200 |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $1,200 | $1,900 |
Cost breakdown for 60 linear ft in Madison, WI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $270 | $610 | $950 | 39% |
| Labor | $430 | $970 | $1,500 | 61% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | 0% |
| Total | $700 | $1,550 | $2,450 | 100% |
Why Madison 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 $27.40 an hour. Add the other trades involved and the blended wage index for Madison is 1.38 (US = 1.00), which puts labor at 61% of the total.
On the materials line, the BEA goods price index for the Madison metro is 93.8 (US = 100). The midpoint materials bill for 60 linear ft comes to $610, compared with $650 at national prices. Permit and inspection fees are scaled by the broader index (97.3) and land at $0 to $0.
Cost by quality level and size in Madison
Three bands are cut from the same cited range and localized for Madison 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 |
Madison 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 Madison is 1.38 times the national level.
Construction laborers (47-2061), 50% of the weighting: a median of $27.40 an hour, 21% above the US median of $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $22.70 and $31.94 an hour. About 2,370 work in the metro. That is 58.1 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 $39.93 an hour, which is 39% above the national $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $31.65 and $47.46 an hour. BLS counts 680 of them working in the area, 16.7 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 30.7), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Pipelayers (47-2151), 20% of the weighting: a median of $41.77 an hour, 77% above the US median of $23.56. The middle half of them earn between $40.11 and $47.17 an hour. About 50 work in the metro. That is 1.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 2.1 nationally, so expect fewer local crews to bid.
Quotes come from real crews, not medians. If the construction laborers on your job are paid at the 75th percentile ($31.94 an hour) instead of the median, the labor line grows by about $70. At the 25th percentile ($22.70) it shrinks by about $75. The total moves by 4.5% or 4.6%, so wages alone rarely explain a quote that is far outside our range.
For context on the local economy, BLS counts 408,070 jobs in the Madison area. That makes it the 61st largest of the 300 metros we cover, with 0.26% of US employment.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $22.70 | $27.40 | $31.94 | $22.66 | 1.21 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $31.65 | $39.93 | $47.46 | $28.78 | 1.39 | metro |
| Pipelayers (47-2151) | 20% | $40.11 | $41.77 | $47.17 | $23.56 | 1.77 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.38 | |||||
Climate in Madison: timing your French drain job
We use NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals for Madison Dane 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 Madison (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 147 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Madison gets about 37 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 52 inches of snow. The wettest months are June, July and August (5.3 inches in June). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 3.4 and 2.8 inches. The station averages about 9 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 | 27 | 12 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Feb | 31 | 15 | 1.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 44 | 25 | 2.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 57 | 36 | 3.8 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 47 | 4.1 | Workable |
| Jun | 79 | 57 | 5.3 | Workable |
| Jul | 82 | 62 | 4.5 | Workable |
| Aug | 80 | 60 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Sep | 73 | 51 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 60 | 40 | 2.8 | Workable |
| Nov | 45 | 29 | 2.2 | Cold |
| Dec | 32 | 18 | 1.6 | Cold |
Planning more than one job in Madison?
Because every project leans on different trades, Madison's wage level does not move all prices equally. Against the US midpoint, inground pool runs +13% and sod installation +4%.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $8,150 – $14,500 | +11% |
| Gravel driveway | 1,000 sq ft | $2,800 – $11,400 | +12% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,400 | +4% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,600 – $5,400 | +4% |
| Sprinkler system | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,500 – $11,200 | +12% |
| Inground pool | 450 sq ft | $40,700 – $127,000 | +13% |
Is Madison cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (60 linear ft), priced for the nearest metros. Madison is the priciest of the group. Dubuque is the cheapest at $1,350.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison, WIthis page | $700 – $2,450 | $1,550 | |
| Janesville, WI40 miles | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | −4% |
| Rockford, IL60 miles | $680 – $2,350 | $1,550 | −3% |
| Dubuque, IA80 miles | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −15% |
| Oshkosh, WI85 miles | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | −4% |
| La Crosse, WI85 miles | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −2% |
| Wisconsin (statewide) | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −2% |
| United States | $600 – $2,100 | $1,350 | −14% |
Across 300 US metros, Madison comes in at #39 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, Madison 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% |
| Green Bay, WI | 174,550 jobs | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −2% |
| 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% |
| La Crosse, WI | 84,380 jobs | $690 – $2,400 | $1,550 | −2% |
Cities with a workforce like Madison's
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Madison against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | 409,690 jobs | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | −22% |
| Albuquerque, NM | 404,700 jobs | $550 – $1,900 | $1,250 | −22% |
| Knoxville, TN | 424,600 jobs | $560 – $2,000 | $1,250 | −19% |
| Bridgeport, CT | 404,180 jobs | $670 – $2,350 | $1,500 | −5% |
Specs and site conditions that change a Madison bid
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.
Get 3 local quotes
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Multi-page report for Madison, 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 Madison: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a French drain in Madison?
For 60 linear ft, expect $700 to $2,450 in the Madison 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 Madison?
About $11.50 to $41 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 Madison or Janesville?
Janesville is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 60 linear ft there is $1,500, which is 4% less than Madison ($1,550). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Madison?
About 61% at the midpoint, or $970 out of $1,550. Materials are 39% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would side yard (60 linear ft) cost in Madison?
$700 to $2,450. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does French drain need a permit in Madison?
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 Madison area (our national range of $0 to $0 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Madison expensive for French drain compared with the rest of Wisconsin?
Madison 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 Madison?
The BLS median is $27.40 an hour in the Madison area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $22.70 to $31.94.
+What do basic and premium French drain work cost in Madison?
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 Madison?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September 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 Madison
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.