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How Much Does a French Drain Cost?

Let’s just jump in now and talk price. Let’s get right to the bottom line. I’m all for getting down to it, but we just have to first make sure that we are talking about the same thing here. Apples and apples as it were. How much does a French Drain cost?

As we discussed earlier, there are different types of French Drains. Just as there are different contractors, there are different ways to do the same job. The French Drain cost from a contractor who does a shallow channel will vary from the French Drain cost of a contractor who does a deep channel system. A  VW Jetta and a Mercedes S550 are both German cars and both will get you to work on time, but there is quite a difference between the two.

Installed underneath the basement floor on the inside perimeter of the basement and while commonly referred to as a French Drain is what we call a Bonded Deep Channel Pressure Relief System. This is because we dig a deep channel, it relieves the hydrostatic pressure (water pressure) from the footing area, and the drain is bonded to the house with Polydrain wallboard.

Here is how A-1 Basement Solutions does a French Drain (Bonded Deep Channel Pressure Relief System):

• First we do prep work; we move your stuff and cover it with plastic and lay tarps across the floor.

1. The inside perimeter of the floor is cut approximately one foot from the wall. A trench is excavated and pitched.
2. Where possible, the lowest course of block is tapped and bled (weep holes) in order to drain the walls.
3. Fully slotted, non-biodegradable, polyethylene drainage pipe to deliver the water to the sump is installed.
4. To discharge the water, we will install a 3,000 GPH submersible pump* in a covered polyethylene liner.             
5. Polydrain wallboard is installed over the bottom of the wall and over the entire trench in the basement.
6. The wallboard and drainage pipe are covered over with gravel.
7. The basement floor is re-cemented to its original level.

*Note: Basement perimeter of  < 124’ = 1 sump pump; 125’-249’= 2 sump pumps.

• Next we do the clean-up work; we remove the plastic and sweep the floor broom clean while removing all debris from your property.
• Then we treat the entire basement with an anti-microbial Mold Spray.
• Finally we seal any cracks in the floors and walls with 2 Part Hardened Epoxy to limit radon intrusion into the home.

The Bonded Deep Channel Pressure Relief System (French Drains) is usually installed in 1 day by A-1 Basement Solutions experienced staff. The system is maintenance free once installed.

The French Drain cost depends on the size of your basement. It is calculated by the linear feet around the perimeter of the basement. So, if your basement is 36’ wide and 24’ long, your perimeter footage would be 120’ [36+24+36+24=120]

A-1 Basement Solutions average French Drain cost for a house with a:

• 100 foot perimeter basement (25’x25’) is about $6,000  including 1 Sump Pump
• 130 foot perimeter basement (30’x35’) is about $7,000  including 2 Sump Pumps
• 150 foot perimeter basement (40’x35’) is about $8,000  including 2 Sump Pumps
• 180 foot perimeter basement (40’x45’) is about $9,000  including 2 Sump Pumps
• 200 foot perimeter basement (50’x50’) is about $10,000 including 2 Sump Pump.

These prices are current (February 19, 2012) and are subject to change in the future.

The numbers are a guideline for you to use. For example; if your house has a 140’ perimeter you can figure the cost to be between $7,000 and $8,000 with 2 sump pumps.

The Bonded Deep Channel Pressure Relief System carries a transferrable lifetime Guarantee. There is no tax of any kind as this is a Capital Improvement to the home.

A-1 Basement Solutions makes basements dry and healthy year round. When there is a basement issue, from a musty smell to actual flooding, we are here to offer a complete permanent solution to give homeowners peace of mind.

We give free estimates to solve your basement problems from patching cracks to installing French Drains and Sump pumps. Our water powered emergency sump pumps work without electricity so you will be protected even during a power outage. At A-1 Basement Solutions, we take care of all the details so you don’t have to.    http://A-1Basements.com