Concrete trench drain installation typically costs $50-$150 per linear foot, with many residential projects landing near $90 per foot. Concrete channel type, drain length, outlet connection, excavation depth, load rating, and local labor rates account for most price differences.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installed concrete trench drain | $50 per linear ft | $90 per linear ft | $150 per linear ft | Standard residential installation |
| 20-foot project | $1,000 | $1,800 | $3,000 | Drain, labor, and ordinary site work |
| Channel and grate materials | $15 per linear ft | $35 per linear ft | $75 per linear ft | Varies by channel and grate rating |
| Drain outlet connection | $150 | $500 | $1,500 | Depends on distance and discharge point |
| Concrete removal and disposal | $5 per linear ft | $20 per linear ft | $45 per linear ft | May be higher for thick or reinforced slabs |
What a concrete trench drain costs per linear foot
A basic residential system usually costs $50-$100 per linear foot installed when the run is short, access is clear, and the drain ties into a nearby suitable outlet. A more involved installation can reach $100-$150 per foot, especially where crews must saw-cut and remove an existing slab, excavate deeper, or extend piping to a discharge location.
For a typical 20-foot driveway or garage entrance, a reasonable planning range is $1,000-$3,000, with about $1,800 as a middle estimate. A 40-foot run may cost $2,000-$6,000 before unusual drainage work or extensive concrete replacement. Small jobs can have a minimum charge, so the per-foot rate often rises on runs shorter than 10-15 feet.
For a straightforward residential installation, budgeting about $90 per linear foot is a useful starting point. The estimate assumes a standard channel, a traffic-appropriate grate, ordinary soil, normal access, and a nearby outlet. Assumptions: U.S. residential labor rates, standard materials, no major utility conflicts, and limited concrete restoration.
How channel, concrete, and outlet work shape the quote
Contractor quotes may combine several tasks into one installed rate or list each separately. Comparing the scope matters: one quote may include slab restoration and disposal while another covers only the drain body, grate, and installation labor.
| Quote component | Low | Average | High | What changes the charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel and grate materials | $15 per linear ft | $35 per linear ft | $75 per linear ft | Channel material, width, and load class |
| Concrete cutting and removal | $5 per linear ft | $20 per linear ft | $45 per linear ft | Slab thickness, reinforcement, and disposal |
| Excavation and concrete setting | $15 per linear ft | $35 per linear ft | $65 per linear ft | Depth, soil, bedding, and access |
| Drain outlet and piping | $150 per job | $500 per job | $1,500 per job | Pipe length, fittings, and discharge point |
| Concrete patching and finish | $10 per linear ft | $25 per linear ft | $60 per linear ft | Patch width, finish match, and slab condition |
Labor is commonly priced as part of the installed rate, but a crew may charge around $60-$125 per worker-hour for specialized concrete and drainage work. A small project may require mobilization, saw cutting, excavation, setting the channel, connecting pipe, and patching, even if the drain itself is short.
Confirm whether the quote includes disposal, outlet piping, and concrete restoration before comparing totals. A line item labeled “drain installation” does not necessarily include those services.
Channel width, load rating, and excavation depth change the price
Channel dimensions and expected traffic determine which system is appropriate. A narrow 4-inch residential channel can cost less than a 6- to 8-inch channel designed for greater flow or a larger catchment area. The channel must also suit the expected load: a pedestrian patio does not usually need the same grate rating as a driveway used by cars or a commercial loading area.
Light-duty polymer or concrete channels with pedestrian-rated grates may fall near the lower material range. Driveways commonly need a stronger grate and a properly supported channel; heavy-duty ductile iron or other high-load grates can push material costs toward $50-$100 or more per linear foot. Confirm the manufacturer’s load classification rather than choosing by appearance alone.
Excavation depth can also change labor and concrete quantities. A shallow installation in an accessible slab is less costly than a 12- to 18-inch trench that requires deeper excavation, more concrete bedding, or a deeper outlet connection. Hard soil, buried utilities, roots, and groundwater can add time or require a changed route.
Drain size, vehicle load, and trench depth should be specified before bids are compared. If the run is longer than 30 feet or collects water from a large paved area, a contractor may recommend a wider channel, additional outlets, or a drainage design review.
Control the concrete scope before approving the installation
The largest controllable expense is often the amount of existing concrete disturbed. A contractor should identify the proposed cut width, channel route, excavation depth, and patching limits. A narrow, straight run is generally less expensive than a curved layout with multiple branches and several changes in elevation.
Choose a grate and channel rating that match actual use, not a more expensive class without a reason. A residential driveway typically needs a grate suited to passenger vehicles; frequent delivery trucks or heavy equipment call for a higher load rating. Ask the installer to state the intended use and rating in the written quote.
Site preparation can reduce paid labor when it is safe and practical. Clearing vehicles, stored items, and landscaping from the work area may help the crew start promptly. Utility locating should still be handled through the appropriate local process; digging without checking for buried services can cause expensive damage and delays.
A defined route, suitable load class, and limited patch area can keep a drain project within budget. Obtain at least two itemized bids based on the same length, channel width, grate rating, outlet location, and restoration scope.
Regional labor rates shift concrete drain estimates
Prices tend to be higher in dense metro areas and regions with high construction wages, expensive disposal, or limited contractor availability. Compared with a national middle estimate, urban coastal markets may run about 10%-25% higher, while some lower-cost rural and interior markets may come in 5%-15% lower. These are broad comparisons, not fixed regional price lists.
Local soil and weather can matter as much as labor. Rocky ground, expansive clay, a high water table, or freeze-thaw conditions may call for additional bedding, deeper placement, or a carefully planned discharge route. In areas with heavy seasonal rain, a contractor may need to check how the outlet handles peak runoff rather than simply connecting to the nearest low spot.
Disposal fees and concrete availability also vary. In a market where old concrete must be hauled farther or accepted only at a specialized facility, removal can add several hundred dollars. Ask whether the contractor’s price includes hauling and whether local drainage rules limit where water may discharge.
Use local, written quotes for the final budget because regional labor and site conditions can move a project outside the broad national range. For a 20-foot run, a 10%-20% market difference can change an estimate by roughly $180-$360 on an $1,800 baseline, before site-specific extras.
How long crews need to cut, set, and connect the drain
A short, accessible installation in an existing slab commonly takes one to three workdays, including cutting, removal, excavation, setting the channel, connecting the outlet, and patching. A new-pour installation may take less demolition work, but the drain still needs correct placement and support before concrete is placed. Curing time can keep the area out of service after the crew finishes.
A typical crew may include two or three workers. Saw cutting and heavy removal can require specialized equipment, while a longer trench or difficult outlet route extends the schedule. Contractor labor rates of roughly $60-$125 per worker-hour help explain why a project with extra excavation or a distant connection can cost more even when the drain materials are unchanged.
Ask whether the quote includes equipment, mobilization, and return visits. Some contractors group these charges into the project total; others list a minimum service fee or separate concrete cutting. For a small repair, a minimum charge of $300-$800 may apply even if the measured work is limited.
Schedule and access affect both labor hours and the number of crew visits. Confirm when the driveway or walkway can be used again, and whether the estimate includes protection for nearby landscaping and surfaces.
Outlet piping, demolition, and other add-ons to budget
The drain channel collects water, but it must send that water somewhere appropriate. A short connection to an existing storm line or daylight outlet may cost $150-$500. A longer run, additional fittings, a catch basin, or difficult grading can raise the price to $500-$1,500 or more. Pumping may be necessary where gravity drainage is not possible, adding equipment and maintenance costs.
Removing an existing slab can add $5-$45 per linear foot for cutting, breaking, loading, and disposal, with thick reinforced concrete potentially costing more. Replacing a wider strip of concrete rather than patching close to the channel increases material and finishing costs. If the work affects a garage floor, driveway apron, or decorative surface, matching the existing finish can require extra labor.
Other possible charges include utility locating, permit fees, traffic control, and drainage inspections. Requirements vary by municipality and by whether the drain connects to a public system. A simple private discharge may not require a permit in some locations, but a connection to public storm infrastructure can involve approval, inspection, or engineering costs.
Request separate prices for outlet work, demolition, permits, and restoration rather than treating them as automatic inclusions. That makes it easier to identify which additions are essential and which reflect a preferred finish or expanded scope.
Concrete channel drains versus polymer and surface alternatives
Precast concrete trench channels can be durable and suit projects where a solid, concrete-set system is desired, but they may be heavy and labor-intensive to install. Polymer concrete and plastic channel systems are often lighter and can reduce handling time; their installed cost may still overlap with concrete systems once excavation, bedding, grates, and outlet work are included.
For a small area with occasional runoff, a surface swale or regrading may cost less than installing a full-length trench drain. Basic grading can range from about $500-$2,000 for a limited area, though larger earthwork or landscaping restoration can raise the total. A point drain connected to underground piping may work where water concentrates at one low spot, but it does not intercept water evenly along a wide doorway or pavement edge.
Replacing a damaged grate or clearing a blocked outlet can be a lower-cost repair than replacing the whole channel. A cleaning visit may cost roughly $100-$300, while grate replacement can range from $20-$150 per linear foot for parts and labor, depending on the system and access. Cracked channels, settled concrete, or a failed outlet may require partial or complete replacement.
Compare the drainage problem, not just the price of the channel. A less expensive alternative is only useful if it captures the water and sends it to a permitted, functioning discharge point.
Three concrete trench drain estimates for common projects
A 12-foot garage threshold drain installed in an accessible slab might total $900-$1,800. That assumes a standard residential channel, a vehicle-suitable grate, limited saw cutting, and an outlet within a few feet. At roughly $75-$150 per foot, a short run can carry a relatively high rate because mobilization and setup are spread across fewer feet.
A 24-foot driveway drain with moderate concrete removal and a nearby outlet may cost $1,800-$3,600, or about $75-$150 per foot. A two- or three-person crew might spend 16-28 combined labor hours cutting, excavating, setting the channel, connecting pipe, and patching. A heavy-duty grate or thick reinforced slab can place the job near the upper end.
A 50-foot commercial pavement run with heavy-duty grates, deeper excavation, and a longer outlet connection can reach $5,000-$12,500, approximately $100-$250 per foot. Commercial traffic ratings, traffic management, larger concrete restoration areas, and inspection requirements can increase the price beyond ordinary residential rates.
These examples are planning ranges, not fixed bids. The final estimate depends on measured length, channel specifications, drainage calculations where required, local labor, and what the contractor includes for disposal and restoration.