How Much Does Stormwater Installation Cost?

Whether we’re talking about light, but frequent rainfall or heavy downpour, stormwater installation is crucial to avoid damage to property and pavement alike. The pooling of water in one place can also cause all kinds of safety hazards if left unchecked.

However, one doesn’t simply jump into a project and pay for their stormwater installation cost. There are many things that you need to learn and understand to choose the best solution for your needs.

The good news is that we’ve prepared for you a short guide on what you can expect to pay for the cost of stormwater pits and drains today.

So without further ado, let’s get into it.

The Cost of Stormwater Drainage System Installation

The installation of stormwater drainage systems can cost homeowners anywhere from $1,800 to more than $5,000. You can get more straightforward solutions as low as $800, while the more complex projects can go up to an exorbitant rate of $8,000.

Consider French drains, for instance, where each linear metre can go at an average of $20 to $30 or around $1,000 and $1,500 for exterior applications. Internal installations cost more and can go between $45 to $60 per linear metre or anything from $5,000 to $6,000.

Stormwater drainage systems are naturally beneficial to your home in many ways. Damage from stagnant water is a massive problem for a home, which can cause mildew, mould, and other foundational issues. You can avoid all of these with a proper drainage installation in place.

 

Types of Drainage and Stormwater Installation Cost

Knowing that you require proper drainage solutions isn’t sufficient. Depending on the kind of water problems you often face, you need to choose a drainage system that fits your needs. Here are some of the common choices today:

French Systems

With French Systems, you can pay as little as $200 to have them installed or as much as $3,000 depending on the requirements. The concept behind this system leverages gravity wherein it has a ditch filled with gravel as well as a pipe that then guide water away from areas prone to flooding.

French-style drainage systems are ideally set up around the perimeter of one’s home. They help gather excess moisture and leads them away from the important foundation to avoid damages.

As found on Wikipedia:
French Drains are primarily used to prevent ground and surface water from penetrating or damaging building foundations and as alternative to open ditches or storm sewers. Also used to distribute water, such as septic drain field at the outlet of a typical septic tank sewage treatment system. Also used behind retaining walls to relieve ground water pressure.

 

Yard Drainage Pipes

This type of solution provides yard inlets that are made like small catch basins that come with grates at the top. These inlets are linked to the pipes and are distributed throughout via emitters that transport the flow of water elsewhere in a yard.

Each of these inlets can have a price range of $20 to $40, while its piping can go between $50 to $200 or even more. You can expect to pay for its emitters around $30 to $60. Homeowners who choose yard drainage pipes can also decide whether to direct the flow to the municipal system or a designated dry well.

This type of stormwater installation system is excellent for properties that are mostly flat. Standing water in yards, for instance, can increase the risk of moisture damage to one’s homes, so should be resolved as quickly as possible. In this scenario, a network of stormwater pipes that can distribute moisture evenly throughout the property can be a plausible solution.

 

Channel or Trench

One of the more prevalent drainage systems in the world, digging up a channel or trench, can quickly get rid of puddles that accumulate on large surfaces in one’s property. These are best used on paved expanses such as driveways or concrete parking spots. Its design makes use of a channel or trough structure that comes with a flush grate surface installed in a trench.

The cost of setting up the channel or trough is going to depend on its length as well as material. For example, choosing to install a steel trench on your under driveway can cost around $200, whereas concrete ones can go for $600.

Storm Drain or Catch Basin

This type of stormwater drainage system effectively collects water as it builds up during a storm and redirects it to the municipal sewer line. Most of the residential applications for these basins don’t go past 2×2. The options that are available include cast-in-place concrete, pre-cast concrete, plastic, and polymer.

Storm drains can filter water that goes into them through a grate and a sump to minimise as much debris as possible. These basins are highly recommended for areas wherein water normally gathers during a storm. It is often used to protect gardens and landscapes.

The price of storm drains will depend on the size you want. For instance, a 10×10 plastic catch basin can go for $100, while a galvanised steel grate basin can range around $120 to $250. Meanwhile, the 22×22 ranges and above can cost you as much as $500 on average. You should also consider the cost of piping materials in case you don’t have yard piping installed yet.

 

Gutter Drainage

There are times where an issue as simple as improper drainage can cause water problems. That’s why it’s vital that your downspouts are sufficiently far away from the property. The reason for this is simple: it is to avoid risking damages that could happen to the foundation. If that’s not the case, a few options exist:

• Install downspout extensions, which can go up to 25 metres and cost about $30 to $150 each.
• Connect downspouts to an underground system which should go for around $45 to $150 for every extension made. Choosing materials such as copper can have spouts reaching a cost of up to $250.

French Stormwater Drainage Costs by Type

There are various types of French Drain systems available. You can find below each type along with the corresponding cost of stormwater pits and drains for this design.

Exterior Backyard

The exterior options often don’t require as much material compared to others. You will find that these average about $400 to $1200. Installing French-style drainage systems outside the residence can help keep excess moisture away from the foundation.

This type of system involves the installation of perforates pipes in a trench and then surround this with gravel. In this manner, the structure is capable of sending moisture away from the property. It’s essential that exterior backyard options should be at least a metre deep.

Piping material expense should be around $50 to $250, and gravel can range from $250 up to $800. You may spend more if you try to do this without expert help, as renting trenching equipment can cost an exorbitant daily rate – not to mention the need for a trencher and a backhoe.

Perimeter or Weeping Tile Systems

The perimeter style can be quite costly, often going more than $10000 due to the work needed to get it installed. This system runs along the perimeter of a residence at the foot level and is also known as weeping tile systems.

Again, perforated piping as well as gravel are required around the property’s foundation. Such a feature allows excess moisture to be removed and prevent any damages.

Curtain

Similar to the exterior backyard types, the material needed for the Curtain system can range from $100 to $500. This rate will depend based on the gravel amount required for the system’s depth. It is basically a shallower version of the French system and is usually 2 metres into the ground while installed horizontally.

Estimates of Installation Cost Per Linear Metre

Drain Tiles with a Sump Pump

The installation of drain tiles together with a sump pump, as well as the cost of digging up a perimeter trench, can normally reach $16000 or even up to $30000. For those that already possess a sump pump, you can save up on the total cost since installation of this equipment alone averages to around $2000.

Driveway Drain with a Trench

Homeowners that have a problem with water being retained in their under driveway, then a great option for them would be the channel or trench styles. The professional work on such an installation can start at $70 up to $300 for every linear metre. Factors for the high cost can include proper levelling and demolition requirements.

Foundation and Crawl Spaces

Homeowners that are having trouble with frequently damp or wet crawl spaces have several options available. The cost needed to install a French-style drainage system can range from as low as $1400 to as high as $5500.

A sump pump may be needed if you can’t rely on gravity to get rid of excess water. Meanwhile, other types of foundations may have to get an exterior French solution in order to expand on their downspouts or to make use of piping and inlets within their yards.

Underground Downspouts

Hiring a professional to dig underground downspouts can cost you around $35 per linear metre. If this type of system isn’t enough, then you have to consider connecting this to an underground pipe network. An existing network is required to avail of this solution. From there, a downspout adapter is needed for the extension as well as a PVC elbow.

 

 

Landscape and Garden

There are a few options to choose from when you want to redirect excess water from your landscape or garden. You can go for inlets that are connected to pipes which slope away from the affected area, or you can choose a French style of drainage. Whichever you choose, both options require you to do some planning and excavation.

You should also expect to pay for the exterior French styles compared to the yard inlet option. It’s also important to take into account landscape repair as this will be necessary after the stormwater repair cost installation. Expect landscaping to cost as low as $500 or as expensive as $20000.

 

Common Questions and Other Things to Consider

Learning about stormwater installation costs is always important when planning to install a new drainage system or repair an existing one. Let’s take a look at some of the answers to commonly asked questions and some other considerations to think about.

How Long Will It Take?

The answer to this question will depend mostly on how complex the project will be. For instance, a simple French-style drainage change can take as little as a few hours, while a more complicated operation can take up to a week.

When is the Best Time to Carry Out an Installation?

Although weather from changing seasons isn’t that much of a concern here in Australia, you should still try to schedule the project during a dry and warm day. This is especially important when you have foundational work to do. The reason for this is simple: exposed drainage projects can result in serious flooding in case it rains hard.

How Will I Know If I Need a Better Stormwater Drainage System?

There are some visible signs to look out for: when the driveway starts to accumulate water after it rains, which leads to foul smell or if crawl spaces begin to grow moulds due to moisture. Other signs can include:

• Gutters begin to overflow during rain – the solution for this can be as simple as having them cleaned, or you need to get a better drainage solution.
• Puddles are present near foundations – this can be caused by improperly pitched soil or downspouts not pointing far enough.
• Persistent puddles in the yard – you will need a better yard drainage solution if rain puddles don’t go away an hour or two after it rains.

Final Thoughts

Getting to know the stormwater installation cost is crucial to avoid any problems when you decide to get better drainage systems for your property. Naturally, you also want to go for a professional that can accomplish the job according to your needs and budget.

Plumber Nearby is a Melbourne-wide plumbing service that can provide you with stormwater drainage installation services when needed, as well as broken sewer pipe repairs, maintenance and everything plumbing related! We are capable of servicing both residential and commercial customers around the city.

If you’re interested in our plumbing services, give us a call now and let’s talk about it, or fill in our quick and easy online quote form.