French Drain Installation Memphis TN
Professional French drain systems that permanently solve your yard drainage problems. Licensed and insured drainage contractors.
Why Choose Our French Drain Installation?
Licensed & Insured
Fully licensed drainage contractors with comprehensive insurance coverage for your peace of mind.
5-Star Rated
Consistently rated 5 stars by Memphis homeowners for quality workmanship and professional service.
Fast Installation
Most French drain installations completed in 1-2 days with minimal disruption to your property.
What is a French Drain System?
A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that redirects surface water and groundwater away from problem areas. It's one of the most effective solutions for:
Our French Drain Installation Process
Free Assessment
We evaluate your drainage issues and design the optimal solution
Utility Marking
Call 811 and mark all utilities for safe excavation
Excavation
Precise trenching with proper slope for optimal drainage
Installation
Install pipe, gravel, and fabric using professional techniques
Restoration
Backfill and restore your landscape to original condition
French Drain Installation Cost Memphis
French drain installation costs vary based on yard size, soil conditions, and drainage complexity. Here are typical ranges:
Basic System
50-100 linear feet, standard soil conditions
Standard System
100-200 linear feet, multiple drainage points
Complex System
200+ linear feet, difficult soil, multiple outlets
All projects include: Free assessment, permits, materials, installation, and 1-year warranty
Looking for French Drain Contractors Near You?
We install French drains across Shelby County. Pick your city below for local drainage conditions and recent work in your area.
Memphis
Downtown, Midtown, East Memphis
Germantown
All neighborhoods
Collierville
Residential and commercial
Bartlett
All areas within city limits
Cordova
Established neighborhoods
East Memphis
Chickasaw Gardens, High Point Terrace
Lakeland
New construction areas
Arlington
Rural and suburban
Millington
Residential properties
Engineering-Backed Design
A French drain only works if the slope, depth and gravel envelope suit the soil it sits in. We design ours around Memphis's Peoria loess — a clay that swells when wet and shrinks in drought — using measured elevation and drainage data from your property rather than a standard trench spec. Shelby Yard is an NDS Certified Professional Drainage Contractor.
Learn about our design approach →French Drain Installation: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a French drain contractor near me in Memphis?
Look for three things: a contractor who measures your yard's elevation rather than eyeballing the slope, one who can explain how they are handling Memphis's Peoria loess clay, and one who puts the warranty in writing. Shelby Yard is an NDS Certified Professional Drainage Contractor serving Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Cordova and East Memphis — we do a free on-site assessment before quoting anything.
How much does French drain installation cost in Memphis?
Most Memphis French drain projects run $1,500–$3,000 for a basic system (up to 100 linear feet), $3,000–$5,000 for a standard system with multiple drainage points, and $5,000+ for complex systems over 200 linear feet or with difficult soil. Every quote includes the free assessment, permits, materials, installation and a 1-year warranty.
How long does a French drain take to install?
Most residential French drains in the Memphis area are finished in one to two days. Larger systems, or jobs that need multiple outlets, can run a third day. We restore the surface before leaving so the system is draining the same day it is finished.
Why do French drains fail in Memphis clay soil?
Memphis sits on Peoria loess — a clay that swells when saturated and shrinks in drought. A trench cut to a generic spec shifts with that movement and loses its fall. Drains fail here for three reasons: not enough slope, pipe set too shallow, and an undersized gravel envelope that silts up. We design around measured elevation data from your property rather than a standard trench depth.
Do I need a permit for a French drain in Shelby County?
It depends on where the water is being discharged and whether the work touches a drainage easement. We handle permitting as part of the project and include it in the quoted price, so you do not need to file anything yourself.
Do you serve areas outside Memphis?
Yes. We install French drains throughout Shelby County — Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, Cordova, East Memphis, Lakeland, Arlington and Millington. If you are searching for yard drainage contractors near you anywhere in the metro, we most likely cover it.
Ready to Solve Your Drainage Problems?
Get a free assessment and quote for French drain installation in Memphis. Same-day appointments available.
Other Drainage Services We Provide
Most Memphis yards need more than one fix. Our free assessment tells you which of these your property actually needs.
Catch Basin Installation
Collect standing water from a defined low spot and pipe it away.
Catch Basin Replacement
Cracked, sunken, or clogged basin replaced with a commercial-grade unit.
Downspout Drainage
Move roof runoff away from the foundation instead of dumping it at the wall.
Foundation Drainage
Exterior drainage that keeps water off the foundation and out of the crawlspace.
Landscape Grading
Reshape the yard so water runs away from the house on its own.
Sump Pump Discharge
Route pump discharge to a safe outlet so it stops recycling back to the house.
Areas we serve
Serving Memphis and Shelby County — find drainage help near you: