HomeGuide's national 2026 figures put a yard drainage system at $1,000 to $4,000 and a French drain at $10 to $35 a foot. In Chicago, the flat clay ground and the old combined sewers mean water has few easy ways to leave a lot.
Each dollar figure below is a national range published by HomeGuide, and none of them is a quote from us. Chicago blue clay, alley access, buried debris from old buildings and the haul to a dump site are what really set the cost of a job here. We read every HomeGuide page used here in October 2026.
How do I get rid of standing water in my Chicago yard?
To get rid of standing water in a Chicago yard, give it a way to the alley, the street or a drain: regrade the low spot, reshape the gangway, or set a catch basin with pipe where the ground is too flat to slope. Chicago clay soaks up very little, so water usually has to be carried away rather than left to sink in.
My back yard stays soggy for days after a storm. What fixes it?
A back yard that stays soggy for days sits lower than the alley or the yards around it, on clay that will not drain. The fix is usually to raise and reshape the low area and add a catch basin and pipe to an outlet. Adding black dirt on top only moves the puddle.
Why does water pool against my foundation after it rains?
Water pools against the foundation when the soil has settled toward the house, downspouts empty at the wall, or the gangway and walks tip the wrong way. In old brick and stone basements, that water comes through the walls. Regrading and piping downspouts away stop much of it.
What does a French drain cost in a Chicago yard?
A French drain in a yard costs $10 to $35 a linear foot, or $500 to $8,800 installed, per HomeGuide's French drain page, and an interior basement drain runs $40 to $85 a foot. Inside drains are a waterproofing company's work; we do the outside.
| Length | Exterior or yard drain | Interior basement drain |
|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | $500 to $1,800 | $2,000 to $4,300 |
| 100 ft | $1,000 to $3,500 | $4,000 to $8,500 |
| 200 ft | $2,000 to $7,000 | $8,000 to $17,000 |
What does new drain tile around a Chicago house, or a curtain drain, cost?
A curtain drain is $10 to $35 a foot, or $1,500 to $8,800 in total, and exterior drain tile at the footing is $30 to $90 a foot, about $1,200 to $4,500 per side, by HomeGuide's figures. Many old Chicago homes had clay drain tile that silted up long ago, and new tile has to be dug to the footing.
Is a dry well or a French drain right for Chicago clay?
A French drain is usually right for Chicago clay and a dry well usually is not. HomeGuide lists dry wells at $300 to $1,500, but they need soil that takes water in, and lake clay fills and stays full. The sandy beach ridges in Evanston are an exception where a dry well can work.
Swale or catch basin on a flat Chicago lot, and what does a swale cost?
A swale costs $250 to $1,000 on HomeGuide's drainage page and works where water can flow over the lawn in a shallow channel, as along suburban lot lines. On a flat Chicago lot or in a gangway, a catch basin with pipe to the alley or a drain is often the only way to move water.
How deep should a drainage trench or ditch be around Chicago?
How deep a drainage trench goes depends on its job: a swale is a few inches deep, a yard drain about 18 to 24 inches, and footing drain tile sits at the base of the foundation. On flat ground, the outlet's depth often decides how deep the rest can go.
Can downspouts be buried and run away from the house?
Yes, downspouts can be buried in solid pipe and run to a pop-up outlet, a catch basin or the alley where allowed. A buried downspout extension costs $150 to $350 on HomeGuide's drainage page. Many Chicago-area communities also encourage disconnecting downspouts from the sewer to reduce flooding.
What can I do in Illinois when the neighbor's water drains into my yard?
When a neighbor's water drains into your yard, start with a talk and photos taken during a storm. Illinois surface water disputes depend on the facts, such as whether the water follows its natural course or was redirected by grading, a garage or a downspout. This is general information about Illinois, not legal advice. On your side, a catch basin or a low curb can often turn the water.
Can excavation fix water in my basement, or do I need a waterproofing company?
Excavation fixes water in a basement when it comes through the walls from outside: grading, downspouts or failed drain tile. Water that comes up the floor drain during big storms is a sewer backup, which a licensed plumber fixes with a backflow valve or an overhead sewer, and we dig for that work. Cracks and leaks through the floor are a waterproofing company's job.
For a number on your own Chicago-area property, call or text (872) 201-3760. We look at the lot, then send the scope and the price in writing.