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Started By
Message

why are french drains so expensive?
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:18 pm
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:18 pm
i had 2 people give me quotes in excess of $5k.
i need a straight trench cut along the back of my house on ground which already has a gradual slope to the edge of my house and out to a common ravine between my house and the one next to it.
this is not rocket science. you rent a trenching tool and walk behind it for an hour then drop some plastic pipe wrapped with fabric in it and throw some gravel on top.
if i had a level yard i could understand it being more complicated in how you dig the trench to ensure it would properly drain the water but my yard already slopes enough without having to vary the trench depth.
i need a straight trench cut along the back of my house on ground which already has a gradual slope to the edge of my house and out to a common ravine between my house and the one next to it.
this is not rocket science. you rent a trenching tool and walk behind it for an hour then drop some plastic pipe wrapped with fabric in it and throw some gravel on top.
if i had a level yard i could understand it being more complicated in how you dig the trench to ensure it would properly drain the water but my yard already slopes enough without having to vary the trench depth.

Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:19 pm to CAD703X
quote:
this is not rocket science. you rent a trenching tool and walk behind it for an hour then drop some plastic pipe wrapped with fabric in it and throw some gravel on top.
sounds like you got it figured out
why dont you do it?
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:19 pm to CAD703X
If its so easy then do it yourself baw
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:20 pm to CAD703X
quote:
i had 2 people give me quotes in excess of $5k.
i need a straight trench cut along the back of my house on ground which already has a gradual slope to the edge of my house and out to a common ravine between my house and the one next to it.
this is not rocket science. you rent a trenching tool and walk behind it for an hour then drop some plastic pipe wrapped with fabric in it and throw some gravel on top.
if i had a level yard i could understand it being more complicated in how you dig the trench to ensure it would properly drain the water but my yard already slopes enough without having to vary the trench depth.
Maybe you should have your husband do it
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:20 pm to CAD703X
they surrender too much water
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:20 pm to CAD703X
If you don’t want to pay the expert $5k to do it and you think it’s so easy, do it yourself.
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:20 pm to CAD703X
Must require a river pilot to install.
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:20 pm to CAD703X
quote:
i had 2 people give me quotes in excess of $5k.
then guess what?
it will cost you $5K+ to hire it out
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:21 pm to Ash Williams
quote:
sounds like you got it figured out
why dont you do it?

i'm planning to
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:22 pm to TH03
quote:
If you don’t want to pay the expert $5k to do it and you think it’s so easy, do it yourself.
kinda the point of this thread, chef.
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:23 pm to CAD703X
if you're anywhere near an utility easement, you have to hand-dig. Labor + Time = money.
And they do cost money to be done right. You dont want them holding water or leaking around a foundation. When you sell the house, you will have to check the box that you have french drains for that reason.
And they do cost money to be done right. You dont want them holding water or leaking around a foundation. When you sell the house, you will have to check the box that you have french drains for that reason.
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:23 pm to CAD703X
quote:labor. I installed my own over 2 weekends alone. it was hard work.
why are french drains so expensive?
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:23 pm to CAD703X
Sounds like you got it figured out. Get your material and rent a trencher on a Saturday.
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:24 pm to CarRamrod
quote:
labor. I installed my own over 2 weekends alone. it was hard work.

finally a decent answer.
what was so hard about it? did you rent a trenching tool?
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:24 pm to CAD703X
Call before you dig. It’s the law.
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:25 pm to CAD703X
My dad made me run a French drain with just a shovel from a low area of our backyard all the way to the street as punishment for getting caught with alcohol in high school.
It made me want to go to college.
It made me want to go to college.
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:25 pm to CAD703X
What kind of distance are we talking about? Width of your property line?
I'll agree that 5K seems a little high. Which particular item of the quote seems to be too high?
I'll agree that 5K seems a little high. Which particular item of the quote seems to be too high?
Posted on 4/3/18 at 4:26 pm to CAD703X
Labor really isn't that expensive. You can get 2 guys for $300/ day pretty damn easily. Unless OP has a 1000 ft trench to dig, Labor is likely under $1000.
Its really more likely profit margin and small jobs have high profit margins. Contractors don't need the work right now, so they jack the rates up on small projects.
Its really more likely profit margin and small jobs have high profit margins. Contractors don't need the work right now, so they jack the rates up on small projects.
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