French drain / drain tile Cost in Arlington, Virginia
A gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe collects groundwater and channels it away from the foundation, installed either in the exterior yard/perimeter or along the interior basement footing beneath the slab.
In Arlington, the expansive shrink-swell clays common around here hold water against the foundation, which a French drain redirects. Local labor rates, your home's age, and site access then set where in the french drain / drain tile range your job lands.
Typical figures from local cost data, not a quote. Estimate your specific job →
Interior (under-slab) French drains cost more per foot than exterior (yard) drains, because installing them means cutting and re-pouring the basement slab and tying into a sump pump; an exterior yard trench is simpler. A full exterior excavation down to the footing is priced separately, as exterior waterproofing.
When french drain / drain tile is used
Used to relieve hydrostatic pressure and redirect water where a yard, foundation, or basement repeatedly collects water; interior perimeter drain tile costs more due to concrete cutting and sump-pump integration.
Lifespan: A properly installed French drain can function for roughly 30 or more years, though periodic flushing and debris removal are needed to prevent clogging.
French drain / drain tile costs near Arlington
Local labor rates and soil differ across the region, so the same job prices differently a short drive away. These are the closest markets we cover.
- Alexandria4 mi$950 to $9,550 typical
- Fairfax10 mi$950 to $9,300 typical
- Manassas20 mi$950 to $9,300 typical
Why costs differ in Arlington
Soil & geology
Arlington sits astride the fall line: the eastern third is Atlantic Coastal Plain over the Cretaceous Potomac Formation (sand interbedded with gray-to-green sandy clay), and the west is Piedmont crystalline melange that weathers to clay-rich saprolite. The Potomac Formation clay beds are locally expansive and landslide-prone, and artificial fill is mapped across about 5% of the county, so fill and shrink-swell clay are the main foundation concerns.
Permits
Structural and foundation repairs require a building permit from Arlington County's Inspection Services Division. Alterations and repairs to one- and two-family dwellings are charged about $0.16-$0.17 per square foot of affected area (or the minimum permit fee), alternatively about 0.9% of contract cost, plus a 2% state levy, a 5% automation surcharge, and a 15% indirect-cost surcharge.
Local labor
Construction labor here runs 6% below the national average (RSMeans index 0.939), which is applied to every estimate on this page.
Housing stock
The median Arlington home is about 50 years old, in Arlington County. Older homes carry more unknowns behind a foundation repair.
Where these numbers come from
Every figure on this page traces to a published source, with the date we retrieved it. The Arlington soil, permit and labor figures come from USGS Mineral Resources, Arlington County Inspection Services Division, Virginia DMAS and US Census Bureau. The national french drain / drain tile (interior or exterior) cost range and method guidance come from Modernize and HomeGuide. Ranges are typical costs, not a quote.
- USGS Mineral Resources (State Geologic Map Compilation)
- Arlington County Inspection Services Division (Building Fee Schedule)
- Virginia DMAS, RS Means Data (Jan-2025 RSMeans location factors): Arlington (ZIP 222) = 93.9
- US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year, table B25035 (via Census Reporter)
- US Census Bureau, 2023 Gazetteer (INTPTLAT/INTPTLONG)
- Modernize
- HomeGuide
Frequently asked questions
How much does french drain / drain tile cost in Arlington?
In Arlington, french drain / drain tile runs about $38–$94 per linear ft for interior, or roughly $3,750–$9,400 for a typical job. Exact cost depends on the extent of the work. Use the calculator for an estimate specific to your home.
When is french drain / drain tile the right fix?
Used to relieve hydrostatic pressure and redirect water where a yard, foundation, or basement repeatedly collects water; interior perimeter drain tile costs more due to concrete cutting and sump-pump integration.
How long does french drain / drain tile last?
A properly installed French drain can function for roughly 30 or more years, though periodic flushing and debris removal are needed to prevent clogging.
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