A French drain in New Jersey costs about $30 to $60 per linear foot for a shallow yard drain, $70 to $150 per foot for an interior basement perimeter system with a sump, and $100 to $250 per foot for a deep exterior footing drain. Call (201) 676-3099 or book a free estimate.
A French drain in New Jersey costs about $30 to $60 per linear foot for a shallow yard drain, $70 to $150 per foot for an interior basement perimeter system with a sump, and $100 to $250 per foot for a deep exterior footing drain. A typical interior system for a 1,200 square foot basement runs $9,000 to $18,000. This guide covers what each type does, what it costs, and how to know which one your water problem actually needs.
The three kinds, and what each fixes
| Type | What it fixes | 2026 NJ cost |
|---|---|---|
| Yard / curtain drain (shallow, gravel and pipe) | Soggy lawn, water running toward the house | $30 – $60 per ft |
| Interior perimeter drain with sump pump | Water seeping at the basement floor-wall joint | $70 – $150 per ft · $9,000 – $18,000 typical |
| Exterior footing drain (dig to the footing, waterproof the wall) | Water through the wall itself, high water table | $100 – $250 per ft · $15,000 – $40,000 typical |
Before you dig: the cheap fixes to try first
- Extend downspouts 6 to 10 feet from the foundation ($50 to $300)
- Regrade the soil so it slopes away from the house 6 inches over 10 feet ($800 to $3,000)
- Clean the gutters and fix the one that overflows
- Check the window wells for drains and covers
- Seal the driveway or walkway joint against the foundation
When a French drain is the wrong answer
If water is coming through a crack in a poured wall, inject the crack ($400 to $1,200). If it is a plumbing leak or a sewer backup, it is a plumber's job. If the yard floods because the town storm drain backs up, no drain on your property will help. A real diagnosis first, then the fix. We do the water test and tell you which one it is.
What is in a proper interior system
- Concrete floor cut and removed along the perimeter
- Perforated pipe in washed stone, sloped to the pit
- A dimpled wall membrane that channels wall seepage into the drain
- A sump basin with a quality pump and a battery backup
- Discharge line run well away from the house, with a check valve
- New concrete over the trench
Guarantee
Our basement systems carry a written 5-Year Watertight Guarantee. If water comes back where we worked, we come back. See the basement waterproofing cost guide for full-system prices.
Questions people ask next
How long does a French drain last?
A properly built one with a cleanout, 30 to 40 years. Ones installed without filter fabric clog in 5 to 10.
Interior or exterior French drain, which is better?
Exterior stops water before it touches the wall but costs two to three times more and means digging up landscaping. Interior is cheaper, done in days, and handles most NJ seepage. We recommend interior unless the wall itself is failing.
Do I need a permit for a French drain in NJ?
Interior systems with a sump usually need a plumbing permit for the discharge; some towns also regulate where you can discharge. We handle it.
Can a French drain be installed in winter?
Interior, yes, any time. Exterior and yard drains wait for the ground to thaw.
Need drain cleaning near you?
If you searched “drain cleaning near me” anywhere in New Jersey, that's us. First Call Contracting is based in Paramus and sends its own licensed crew to all 21 counties — written price before work starts, no deposit, a real person on the phone 24/7.
Water in the basement or a yard that never dries?
Text photos of where the water shows up. We tell you which fix it needs and what it costs, in writing.
Or call Alex direct: (201) 676-3099