Drainage Systems We Recommend for Different Water Problems (With Typical Prices)

The four drainage systems covered on this page are catch basins with solid pipe, channel drains, French drains and regrading or drainage swales. Typical costs range from $150 per basin for inspection and cleaning to $6,700 for larger channel drain installations. These figures are indicative estimates, not fixed quotes. Actual costs depend on the system, project size, materials, excavation requirements and site conditions. A written estimate confirms the price before work begins.

Catch Basin & Solid PVC Pipe Installation

• Common Water Problems — Rainwater is pooling in low spots on lawns, bottom of sloped driveways, patios after heavy rain.
• What the Installation Includes — A 12-inch or 18-inch heavy-duty polyethylene catch basin with an H-20 traffic-rated grate for vehicle areas. The basin connects to a 4-inch solid PVC pipe installed at a minimum 1% slope and buried 18–30 inches deep.
• How It Works — A ground-level collection box with a top grate captures surface runoff right where it gathers and carries it away through buried solid pipe to a safe discharge point.
• Local Requirements — In Rutherford County, residential improvement projects valued between $3,000 and $24,999 require a Tennessee Home Improvement License. Connections to municipal storm drains must follow applicable local requirements to protect the Stones River watershed.
• Cost & Installation Time — A typical installation may take a few hours to one working day and cost approximately $1,000–$3,000. The final cost and duration depend on basin size, excavation, the length of the pipe and the drainage layout.

French Drain Installation

• Common Water Problems — Soggy lawns for 2 or more days after heavy rainfall, waterlogging in the property lines or even water pooling near the foundation or crawl spaces.
• What the Installation Includes — A trench approximately 12 inches wide and 18–24 inches deep, lined and wrapped with non-woven 4-oz geotextile filter fabric. A 4-inch perforated PVC pipe with a smooth interior is placed inside and surrounded by ¾-inch washed gravel.
• How It Works — The gravel allows the groundwater to enter the perforated pipe. The pipe then collects the water below the surface and carries it downhill to a suitable discharge point which helps to reduce the soil saturation near the lawn and foundation.
• Local Requirements — Middle Tennessee’s clay-heavy soils can drain slowly. Filter fabric around the gravel helps keep fine soil particles from entering the drainage system and clogging the pipe over time.
• Cost & Installation Time — Most French drain installations are completed within 2 – 3 days but larger projects might take a week. Installation costs approximately $23–$36 per linear foot. For example, a 60-foot French drain installation would cost approximately $1,380–$2,160 but the final price depends on trench depth, pipe length, site access and the drainage layout.

Channel Drain or Trench Drain Installation

• Common Water Problems — Rainwater is flowing down the driveway slope towards the garage entrance, water pooling across concrete driveways, or runoff spreading across large patios after heavy rain.
• What the Installation Includes — Modular 5-inch or 8-inch HDPE or polymer-concrete channel sections fitted with Class C vehicle-load-rated grates. The channel connects to a 4-inch solid PVC outlet pipe installed at a 1%–2% downward slope.
• How It Works — A long, grated channel is installed across the paved surface where the water is collecting or flowing. It captures runoff along its length and directs the collected water into an underground solid pipe and directs it towards a suitable discharge point.
• Local Requirements — The concrete is cut where the channel drain will be installed. Once the channel is in place, concrete is poured around it and finished level with the surrounding driveway or patio.
• Cost & Installation Time — A typical channel or Trench drain installation can take up to 1–2 working days and cost approximately $50–$150 per linear foot. A 20-foot installation may range from $1,000 to $3,000 but the final cost and time depends on the channel length, grate type, concrete cutting, excavation and outlet-pipe requirements.

Lawn Swale Installation & Surface Regrading

• Common Water Problems — Rainwater collecting in low spots in lawns, water pooling in open yard areas, or flowing toward the house’s foundation.
• What the Installation Includes — Excavation and reshaping of the lawn to create a wide, shallow drainage channel with a minimum 2% downward slope toward the discharge point. The finished swale is covered with topsoil, compacted, seeded and protected with double-net erosion control matting.
• How It Works — A shallow and sloping channel guides the rainwater across the lawn and directs it away from the house using gravity. Unlike underground drainage systems, a swale moves water along the ground surface without requiring buried pipes.
• Local Requirements — Grading should follow the property’s natural drainage patterns and applicable Rutherford County stormwater requirements. The swale should direct water toward a suitable discharge area without sending runoff onto neighboring properties.
• Cost & Installation Time — Most of the lawn swale installation takes up to 1–3 working days. A seeded swale typically costs around $4.50–$8.50 per linear foot, while a sod-finished swale costs approximately $15–$20 per linear foot. However, the final cost depends on the swale’s length, depth, excavation requirements and site conditions.

Testimonials

Client Success Stories

We believe the best proof of our work is the trust we earn from the people we serve. From rural lots to residential builds, our clients count on us for honest service, disciplined execution, and lasting results. Here’s what local property owners are saying about their experience with Crossed Arrow Earthworks: