What drainage work costs in Ontario County
French drains by the foot, foundation drains by the house, and where the water goes — priced honestly.
Drainage jobs range from a half-day downspout extension to a full excavation around a foundation. The big variables are depth, length, and the outlet. Here are the ranges we see in Canandaigua, Victor, Geneva, and the surrounding towns in 2026.
| Job | Typical range (2026) |
|---|---|
| French / curtain drain, per linear foot (18–30 in deep) | $28 – $60 /ft |
| Typical 80 ft yard French drain with daylight outlet | $2,800 – $5,500 |
| Foundation (footing) drain replacement, per foot | $65 – $140 /ft |
| Full-perimeter footing drain, typical home | $9,000 – $20,000 |
| Catch basin with piping to outlet | $900 – $2,500 |
| Downspout or sump discharge line, per foot | $12 – $25 /ft |
| Dry well, installed | $1,500 – $4,000 |
| Regrading to fix surface drainage, small yard | $1,200 – $3,500 |
What moves the number
- Where the water goesA gravity outlet to daylight on a slope is the cheapest and best. Flat lots need a dry well or a pumped system, which adds cost and a mechanical part that can fail.
- DepthA yard drain at 24 inches is a mini-excavator job. A footing drain at 7 feet next to the house is a careful excavation with shoring considerations and hand work near utilities.
- StoneA real French drain uses a lot of clean washed stone — often a ton per 10 to 15 feet. Cheap drains skimp here and fail.
- ObstaclesMature trees, septic fields, buried utilities, patios, and decks all slow the work.
- RestorationTopsoil and seed is standard. Sod, hardscape repair, or landscaping replacement adds to it.
Before pricing an exterior footing drain, we'll ask about how and when the water shows up. Sometimes the answer is a $1,500 regrade and longer downspouts, not a $15,000 excavation. We'd rather sell you the right job.
Get a quote
Call, or send the form and we'll get back to you — usually the same business day. Tell us the town and what you're trying to do; a photo or two never hurts.
(585) 575-0567Serving Canandaigua, Ontario County, the Finger Lakes, and the Rochester area. Larger Syracuse-area projects by arrangement.