What a French drain costs in Dallas–Fort Worth (2026)
Published DFW prices put a typical French drain somewhere between about $1,200 and $5,000, depending on length and how many problem spots it handles. Here's where those numbers come from and what changes them.
Where these numbers come from
We found two published sources of DFW French drain prices. They don't agree at the low end, so we show both. Treat them as a starting point, not a quote.
Priced per foot (PaisaLocal)
PaisaLocal, a DFW pricing service that says it was built by former local crew leads, publishes a flat rate of $60 per foot installed and $240 per catch basin (October 2026), with a 20-foot minimum.
| Run length | Drain only | With 1 catch basin | With 2 catch basins |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft | $1,200 | $1,440 | $1,680 |
| 40 ft | $2,400 | $2,640 | $2,880 |
| 60 ft | $3,600 | $3,840 | $4,080 |
Priced by job size (Dallas Dream Yard)
Dallas Dream Yard, a Dallas landscape design firm, publishes these ranges:
- One problem spot (a French drain or downspout routing): $2,000–$5,000
- A larger French drain system: $3,500–$9,000
- A whole-yard system with drains, area drains and regrading: $6,000–$14,000
- Major correction with extensive grading and long runs: $15,000–$25,000 or more
Dallas Dream Yard says its French drains start at $2,000, above PaisaLocal's price for a short run. Expect real quotes to vary with the company and the yard.
What a quote should include
PaisaLocal's per-foot price includes these six things. Ask any contractor whether theirs does too, so you're comparing quotes on the same terms:
- Digging the trench to the needed depth
- Perforated pipe with a filter sock
- Filter fabric lining the trench, so clay doesn't clog the gravel
- Washed gravel backfill
- An outlet where the water leaves the system
- Hauling off the dirt and cleaning up
What pushes the price up
Where the water can go. The outlet is the hard part. If the yard slopes toward the street, the drain can often run to the curb or a low corner. If it doesn't, you may need a longer run, a pop-up emitter or a sump pump. Dry wells usually don't drain in North Texas clay. Any connection to a curb, alley or city inlet may need city approval. Check the city page for your area.
Sprinkler lines. If the yard has a sprinkler system, the trench will likely cross its lines. Anyone you pay to repair or change a sprinkler system in Texas needs a TCEQ irrigation license, so ask who on the crew holds one.
Downspouts. Roof water should run in solid pipe to its own outlet, not into the French drain. If a quote ties downspouts into the perforated drain pipe, ask why.
Concrete and access. Cutting through a sidewalk or patio, or working where equipment can't reach, adds cost.
Regrading. If the real problem is ground that slopes toward the house, a drain alone may not fix it.
Getting a fair quote
- Get at least two written estimates that list footage, catch basins, outlet type and haul-off.
- Ask where the water will end up. A good contractor will show you.
- Ask whether sprinkler repair is included and who does it.
- Confirm the company carries liability insurance.
Common questions
How much does a French drain cost per foot in Dallas?
One DFW pricing service, PaisaLocal, publishes $60 per linear foot installed plus $240 per catch basin (October 2026), with a 20-foot minimum. That's one company's rate. Get at least two written quotes, because prices vary.
Is a French drain worth it in North Texas clay?
Often, yes. Clay soil barely absorbs water once it's wet, so water that can't run off the surface sits. A French drain gives that water a path out. It only works if there's somewhere lower and legal for the water to go.
How long does installation take?
PaisaLocal says most residential runs take one to two days, with access, hardscape and sprinkler lines affecting the schedule more than length does.
Sources
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