French drain and yard drainage in Denver: local operators and what it costs
In Denver, yard drainage is mostly about protecting foundations. Expansive clay under many homes swells when it gets wet, so water that collects against a wall after a summer storm can do real damage. A French drain, a swale or regrading can carry it away, but the city has rules about where it ends up. This page covers the soil, those rules, the dig-safe notice, and a typical local cost.
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What french drain and yard drainage costs in Denver
$21 to $53 a foot, or about $1,050 to $5,300 for a 50 to 100 foot drain
Based on Pro Operator Network's national french drain and yard drainage cost guide, checked against published cost guides, and adjusted to the Denver-Aurora-Centennial metro area using its 2024 price level from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (105.8, where the U.S. average is 100).
A typical range, not a quote. Your own price depends on your property and is set by whoever takes on your project.
Why water near the house matters here
The Colorado Geological Survey says swelling clays such as bentonite can expand by up to a fifth of their volume with water and cause more property damage than any other natural hazard in the state. CSU Extension advises grading a site so water drains away from the house. Most Denver drainage projects come down to moving water at least a few feet from the foundation and keeping it moving.
Where the water may go
Denver's homeowner guide to runoff says never to slope a lot or landscaping to push water onto a neighbor's lot, states that underground drainage systems need a Denver Public Works permit, and has piping daylight at least ten feet from the front property line. That guide is an older city document, so confirm current rules with the city before building a buried system. City right-of-way rules also say downspout drainage may not flow across sidewalks or the public right-of-way.
Summer storms
The Colorado Climate Center notes that most precipitation on the plains falls in the growing season and that summer thunderstorms are sometimes extremely heavy. A drain sized only for gentle rain can be overwhelmed by one afternoon storm, so give it a generous outlet.
Colorado 811 and private lines
Colorado 811 requires at least two business days of notice, not counting the day of notice, even for small projects, and marks last no longer than thirty calendar days after the due date. Sprinkler lines are private and are not marked, and they usually run right through the beds next to the house.
For your project post
Describe where water collects, which walls it reaches, possible outlets away from neighbors and the sidewalk, the rough length of the drain, and whether downspouts should tie in.
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