Foundation Drainage Installation Costs - Control, Collect, & Protect

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Foundation Drainage Installation Costs – Ways to Control, Collect, and Protect

Foundation Drainage Installation Costs – Ways to Control, Collect, and Protect

Foundation drainage installation costs range from low to very expensive. If you have tried to DIY route but found it more of a job than you expected, you will need to know about costs. Jobs costs can span the gamut. Why is there such a range? A lot goes into the price, such as:

If you are doing it yourself
The specific system installed
The size of the area worked on
Labor rates
Complexity of installation

Foundation Drainage Cost - Channel Drain Installation Costs

Foundation Drainage Cost - Gutter and Downspout Costs

Residential Property Drainage System Rough Cost Breakdown

Foundation Footing Drain Installation Cost (Perimeter Drains)

Cost Range: $4,000 to $15,000

Factors Affecting Cost:

- Installation depth and accessibility around the foundation.
- When a sump pump is required, add $1,000 to $3,000.
- Required excavation increases labor costs.

Typical Installation Scenario: New home construction or major foundation repair projects often include footing drain installation. Installing drains after construction costs more due to excavation requirements.

Foundation French Drain Installation Cost

Cost Range: $1,000 to $5,000 for a typical residential installation

Factors Affecting Cost:

- Length and depth of the drain.
- Quality of materials (gravel, pipe, and geotextile fabric).
- Accessibility and complexity of the terrain.

Typical Installation Scenario: French drains work on sloped yards or around home perimeters prone to standing water. Costs increase if excavation is needed or if the soil is difficult to work with, such as heavy clay.

Surface Drainage Cost (Grading, Swales)

Cost Range: $500 to $3,000 for grading; $1,000 to $3,000 for swales

Factors Affecting Cost:

- Moving a lot of soil.
- Required heavy equipment adds additional costs.
- Yard size and landscaping considerations.

Typical Installation Scenario: Surface drainage is affordable when areas don’t need significant re-grading. Installing swales or berms increases costs but works well for large areas with poor natural drainage.

Gutter and Downspout Extensions Installation Costs

Cost Range: $200 to $1,500

Factors Affecting Cost:

- Length and number of downspout extensions.
- Material type (bare plastic vs. higher-quality metal).
- Whether gutter guards are included (can add $5 to $15 per linear foot).

Typical Installation Scenario: Since most homes have gutter systems, adding extensions is often easy to do and inexpensive. Costs go up for extensive downspout systems or premium materials.

Foundation Dry Well Installation Cost

Cost Range: $1,000 to $4,000

Factors Affecting Cost:

- Size and depth of the dry well.
- Materials used (prefabricated plastic tanks vs. gravel-filled pits).
- Distance from the foundation and any necessary piping.

Typical Installation Scenario: Dry wells are common in areas with poor drainage and where water cannot be easily diverted. Costs increase with the well’s size, depth, and distance from the water source to the well.

Channel Drain Installation Cost (Trench Drains)

Cost Range: $30 to $150 per linear foot

Factors Affecting Cost:

Length of the drain.
Material and grate quality (plastic, metal, or decorative grates).
Excavation and installation costs are higher for areas like driveways.

Typical Installation Scenario: Channel drains are often used for paved areas like driveways, patios, and pool decks. Installation costs for a standard driveway can range from $1,000 to $3,000.

Considerations

Labor Costs: Labor rates vary based on location and the complexity of the job. Excavation-heavy footing drain projects require a lot of labor, which adds to the bottom line.

Permits: Some drainage projects require permits for significant excavation or altering water flow. Permit costs range from $50 to $500.

Material Quality: Higher-quality materials increase initial costs but may reduce maintenance and increase longevity.

Foundation Drainage Installation Costs

Consider cost versus effectiveness. Footing drains tend to be expensive. They are very good at protecting foundations on clay soil or with high groundwater areas. Compare that to easy, budget-friendly fixes like gutter extensions and surface grading. They are excellent water management solutions for surface water. While reviewing drainage solutions, also check your foundation for any signs of damage. Contact us to schedule a foundation inspection if you think you see any foundation problems.

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