What drives drainage costs under synthetic turf

Drainage pricing is all about how water moves on your site and where it needs to go. The work can be simple or surgical depending on a few key variables.

  • Soil percolation and clay content. Slower soils need more trenching, larger aggregate, or dry wells.
  • Grade and layout. Flat yards, low points, and obstacles raise trench lengths and labor.
  • Rainfall intensity and code. Heavier rain regions or storm tie-ins can add capacity requirements and permits.
  • Area size. Bigger installs spread water over more area but often need longer collector lines.
  • Discharge path. A short run to daylight is cheaper than a long outlet to a curb or storm connection.
  • Access and restoration. Tight access, tree roots, and hardscape crossings add time and materials.

Common drainage solutions and typical pricing

French drain trenches

Installed price typically ranges from $25 to $60 per linear foot depending on depth, soil, and access. A standard build includes trenching, geotextile, washed aggregate, perforated pipe, and backfill to the turf base. Cleanouts are recommended for maintenance.

  • Catch basins: usually $300 to $900 each installed, depending on size and grate type.
  • Outlet piping to daylight or curb: about $30 to $75 per linear foot.
  • Sump and pump package when gravity discharge is not possible: roughly $900 to $2,500 installed.

Channel or trench drains at hardscape edges

Useful where patios or driveways meet the turf. Typical installed pricing is $70 to $150 per linear foot including grates and tie-in to a collector line.

Drainage mat or geocomposite underlayment

Provides a lateral flow path under the turf, often used on rooftops, sport lanes, and tight soils. Expect about $3 to $8 per square foot installed, then collect to a perimeter drain or scupper.

Permeable base upgrades

Upsizing the aggregate base and dialing in slope can cut trench footage. Plan on an additional $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot beyond a standard turf base.

Dry wells and soakaway pits

When there is no legal discharge point, a subsurface storage pit can work. Typical installed cost runs $1,200 to $3,500 per unit, capacity dependent.

Example budgets to benchmark

400 sq ft pet yard on dense clay

  • Permeable base upgrade: 400 sq ft x $2.50 = $1,000
  • French drain collector: 60 lf x $45 = $2,700
  • Two catch basins: 2 x $500 = $1,000
  • Outlet to daylight: 30 lf x $45 = $1,350

Estimated drainage subtotal: about $6,050 before turf materials and install.

1,200 sq ft training lane with hardscape edges

  • Drainage mat underlayment: 1,200 sq ft x $5.50 = $6,600
  • Perimeter collector drain: 80 lf x $40 = $3,200
  • Channel drain at patio edge: 20 lf x $110 = $2,200

Estimated drainage subtotal: about $12,000 before turf materials and install.

300 sq ft rooftop terrace

  • Drainage mat with protection board: 300 sq ft x $6.50 = $1,950
  • Scupper tie-ins and edge details: allowance $900

Estimated drainage subtotal: about $2,850 before turf materials and install.

Numbers are typical in the U.S. Your site conditions, region, and code requirements set the final price.

Do you need subsurface drains

  • Frequent puddles or a spongy base after normal rain.
  • Clay soil that percs under 1 inch per hour.
  • Edges against hardscape where water concentrates.
  • Pet areas with odors from trapped moisture.

Quick check: dig a 12 inch hole, fill with water, and time it. If it drops less than 1 inch per hour, plan for drains or a drainage mat plus a collector.

How FusionTurf engineers the right fix

  1. Site review. We evaluate soil, slopes, runoff paths, and discharge options. Utilities are located before digging.
  2. Design and quote. You get a simple plan with trench footage, components, and a firm number.
  3. Install. Clean trenches, correct fabrics and aggregate, positive slope, and documented tie-ins.
  4. Verification. Water test as needed and a walkthrough so you know how it flows.

Ways to control cost without cutting performance

  • Shorten the outlet. Discharge to daylight where legal instead of long curb runs.
  • Let the base do more. Increase permeable base to reduce trench length.
  • Place basins strategically. Fewer, smarter collection points beat many small ones.
  • Pair work. Combine drainage with turf base prep to save mobilization and excavation time.
  • Choose the right system. Use drainage mat for rooftops and tight sites, French drains for soil collection.

Timeline and permitting

  • Small add-on trench: half to one day.
  • Medium project with basins and outlet: one to two days.
  • Complex sites or pump systems: two to three days.

Some regions require permits or storm tie-in approvals. We handle the paperwork when needed.

Ready for a precise number

A short site review gets you an accurate plan and price. Tell us your square footage, soil type if known, where water currently goes, and any hardscape edges. We will map the flow and quote it straight.