French Drain Cost Calculator
Estimate the cost of a French drain. The scale of the job and how easy the site is to access are the main cost drivers, along with any making-good afterwards.
Your french drain details
Above the typical range — usually premium options or a more complex job.
A French drain needs somewhere for the water to go, with a natural fall to a pit or stormwater it works by gravity, but a flat site may need a pump well, which adds cost. Get the fall checked before the design is set.
💰 Ways to save
- Get at least two or three quotes, trade rates and mark-ups vary widely.
- Clear and prepare the area yourself where you safely can, you are paying tradie rates for any time spent shifting your gear.
- Bundle related jobs into one visit so you pay the call-out and setup once.
or from $17/week over 5 years , indicative finance
How we estimate this
A French drain in Australia typically costs around $60 to $120 per metre in 2026 installed, so a short run is roughly $800 to $1,500 and a long or deep run $3,000 to $6,000, plus connecting to stormwater or a pump well.
Pricing reviewed: November 2026.
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Pricing reviewed November 2026. Indicative Australian costs, not a quote.
Understanding french drain costs in Australia
A French drain in Australia typically costs around $60 to $120 per metre in 2026 installed, so a short run is roughly $800 to $1,500 and a long or deep run $3,000 to $6,000, plus connecting to stormwater or a pump well.
A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that collects and diverts groundwater. It is priced by the metre, with trench depth, access and where the water discharges to being the main variables.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a French drain cost in Australia?
Roughly $60 to $120 per metre installed in 2026, so about $800 to $1,500 for a short run and $3,000 to $6,000 for a long or deep one, plus stormwater connection or a pump.
Where does the water from a French drain go?
Ideally to a stormwater pit or legal discharge point by gravity. On a flat site with no natural fall, a pump well is needed to lift the water out, which adds to the cost.
Are you a tradesperson / contractor?
Everyone on this page is working out what french drain costs because they are ready to hire. Put your business right beneath the calculator, in your state, so you are who they find. From $50/mo.