Enter the length, width, depth, cost of materials per cubic foot, cost of installation, and any extra costs into the calculator to determine the total cost of a French Drain.

French Drain Cost Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the cost of a French Drain. 

FD = (L * W * D * C) + I + E

Variables:

  • FD is the total cost of the French Drain ($)
  • L is the length of the drain (feet)
  • W is the width of the drain (feet)
  • D is the depth of the drain (feet)
  • C is the cost of the materials per cubic foot ($)
  • I is the cost of installation ($)
  • E is any extra costs such as permits or inspections ($)

To calculate the cost of a French Drain, multiply the length, width, and depth of the drain to find the total volume. Multiply this volume by the cost of the materials per cubic foot. Add the cost of installation and any extra costs such as permits or inspections.

What is a French Drain Cost?

A French Drain cost refers to the amount of money spent on installing a French Drain system in a property. This cost can vary widely depending on factors such as the size and complexity of the system, the type of soil, the need for any additional landscaping or excavation, and the region where the property is located. On average, homeowners may spend between $1,000 to $4,000, but it can go as high as $20,000 for larger, more complex systems. This cost typically includes materials, labor, and any necessary permits or inspections.

How to Calculate French Drain Cost?

The following steps outline how to calculate the French Drain Cost.

  1. First, determine the length of the drain (L) in feet.
  2. Next, determine the width of the drain (W) in feet.
  3. Next, determine the depth of the drain (D) in feet.
  4. Next, determine the cost of the materials per cubic foot (C) in dollars.
  5. Next, determine the cost of installation (I) in dollars.
  6. Next, determine any extra costs such as permits or inspections (E) in dollars.
  7. Next, gather the formula from above = FD = (L * W * D * C) + I + E.
  8. Finally, calculate the French Drain Cost.
  9. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

length of the drain (L) = 10 feet

width of the drain (W) = 5 feet

depth of the drain (D) = 3 feet

cost of the materials per cubic foot (C) = $20

cost of installation (I) = $100

any extra costs such as permits or inspections (E) = $50