French drain cost in Atlanta (2026): price per foot, real job totals, and what drives the number
French drains on our price list start at $65 per linear foot, installed. Length and where the water can exit set the total.
Short answer: French drains on our price list start at $65 per linear foot, installed. Jobs with catch basins and long outlet runs cost more than a simple run. Length and where the water can exit set most of the number, so treat any figure online as a guide, not a quote.
First: is a French drain what you actually need?
Standing water has three common causes, and only one is fixed by a French drain.
- Water flowing across the surface onto your yard from a slope or a neighbor's property. A French drain or a swale intercepts it.
- Downspouts dumping right at the foundation. A buried downspout line with a pop-up emitter often fixes this for less.
- Low spots where water just sits. A catch basin, a drain inlet set at the low point, is often the better tool.
That is why we map where the water already goes before we recommend anything, and during a real rain if we can. Digging the wrong trench is the most expensive mistake in drainage. If you are weighing the three options, the pricing page lists each one, and we will tell you which fits your yard.
Why Georgia clay changes the math
Red clay drains slowly. It barely lets water soak in, so a drain that would work in sandy soil can back up in clay, because the water has nowhere to go once it is in the pipe. In clay, the outlet matters as much as the trench. Where the water ends up decides whether the drain works at all.
That also explains why two neighbors on the same street can get very different quotes. One has a clear path downhill to a street or a creek bed. The other has to carry the water a long way, or around a patio, before it can leave the property.
What drives the price
| Factor | Effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Length of the run | The biggest factor. Priced per linear foot, from $65. |
| Where the water can go | A natural outlet is cheap. A long outlet run adds cost. |
| Depth and soil | Wet clay is slow to dig, and rock adds time. |
| Restoration | Replacing sod, mulch and edging after the trench. |
| Extras | Catch basins, downspout tie-ins, pop-up emitters. |
Example: a 60 ft run × $65 per foot = $3,900 before any catch basin, outlet run or restoration is added. Your own number will differ, which is the reason we quote after walking the yard.
Why the cheap quote often costs more later
A low price per foot usually leaves something out. Common gaps are the stone around the pipe, the fabric that keeps clay out of it, a proper outlet, or the cleanup of the lawn afterward. A drain that silts up in two seasons is not a bargain. We also come back to keep the basins clear, because a clogged inlet looks exactly like a failed drain.
Signs you need drainage work, not just patience
- Water still standing a day or more after a normal rain.
- A wet crawlspace or basement wall after storms.
- Mulch and soil washing onto walkways or the driveway.
- Grass dying in the same low patch every summer.
If it is only one soggy corner after a very heavy storm, patience and a downspout extension might be all you need. We will tell you that.
When to call us
Call when water reaches the foundation, when a low spot never dries, or when you have already tried grading and it came back. We are licensed and insured, our own crew does the digging, and we stop and tell you before doing anything we could not see when we quoted. We work across intown Atlanta and the north metro, from Buckhead and Sandy Springs to Decatur and Dunwoody. Start with the pricing page or request a quote.
FAQ
How much does a French drain cost per foot in Atlanta? From $65 per linear foot installed on our price list. Length is the biggest driver of the total.
How much does a French drain cost in total? It depends on length and outlet. Multiply the run by the per-foot price, then add any catch basins, downspout tie-ins, outlet run and restoration. We quote after walking the yard.
Do French drains work in Georgia clay? Yes, if the water has somewhere to exit. In clay, plan where the water ends up before you dig, because clay will not absorb it along the way.
French drain or catch basin? A French drain intercepts water moving across or through the ground. A catch basin collects water that pools in a low spot. Many yards need both, connected.
Prices from our price list. Every job is quoted on site. Updated October 2026.