Backyard Drainage & French Drain Rates
2025 rates for grading, trenching, and drainage solutions
Skid steer work for backyard drainage in Canada costs $85-$250 per hour for machine and operator. This follows standard grading/earthwork rates. A complete French drain installation typically costs $25-$50 per linear foot including materials, or $2,000-$6,000 for a typical residential project.
Skid Steer Rates for Drainage Work
| City | Province | Low | High | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver/Lower Mainland | BC | $125/hr | $250/hr | High |
| Toronto/GTA | ON | $95/hr | $150/hr | High |
| Calgary | AB | $100/hr | $145/hr | High |
| Edmonton | AB | $100/hr | $125/hr | High |
| Winnipeg | MB | $90/hr | $125/hr | Medium |
| Montreal | QC | $95/hr | $150/hr | Medium |
| Halifax | NS | $85/hr | $130/hr | Low-Medium |
These are base rates for skid steer grading/trenching work. Complete drainage solutions include materials and additional labor.
Complete Project Pricing
French Drain Installation
$25-$50/linear footIncludes trenching, perforated pipe, gravel, and landscape fabric. Typical residential run of 50-100 feet = $2,000-$5,000. Deeper installations cost more.
Yard Grading for Drainage
$500-$2,500Regrading a yard to slope away from foundation. Typical residential job is half-day to full day depending on size. May require additional topsoil.
Swale/Channel Creation
$400-$1,500Grading a shallow drainage channel to direct surface water. Simple solution that works well for many properties. Half-day job typically.
Catch Basin Installation
$500-$1,500 eachIncluding excavation, basin, connecting pipe work. Often combined with French drain system for complete solution.
What's Involved in Drainage Work
Skid Steer Work
- + Trenching (with trencher attachment or bucket)
- + Rough grading for slope
- + Backfilling trenches
- + Material moving (gravel, topsoil)
- + Final grading prep
Additional Labor/Materials
- + Perforated drain pipe ($1-$3/ft)
- + Drainage gravel ($40-$60/yard)
- + Landscape fabric ($0.50-$1/ft)
- + Catch basins/fittings
- + Topsoil for restoration
Trencher Attachment vs Bucket
For drainage trenching, a dedicated trencher attachment is faster and cleaner than using a bucket:
| Method | Speed | Best For | Attachment Rental |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trencher | 50-100+ ft/hr | Long straight runs | $200-$350/day |
| Bucket | 10-30 ft/hr | Short runs, tight spaces | Usually included |
For a 100-foot French drain, a trencher can complete trenching in 1-2 hours vs 4-6 hours with a bucket. The rental cost is usually offset by labor savings.
When to DIY vs Hire a Pro
DIY Makes Sense When:
- + You have equipment access
- + Simple grading/slope correction
- + No utility lines in work area
- + You understand proper drainage slope
- + Small project (under 50 feet)
Hire a Pro When:
- - Connecting to municipal storm drain
- - Foundation waterproofing involved
- - Complex multi-point drainage
- - Utility lines present (call before you dig!)
- - Permit required
Drainage Guides by Province
Equipment for Drainage Work
Compact machines work best for residential backyard work where access may be limited:
Bobcat S570
Compact, gate-friendly
$22K-$35K
Kubota SVL65-2
Compact CTL
$28K-$40K
Bobcat T450
Smallest CTL
$22K-$32K
Cat 239D3
Compact CTL
$26K-$38K
Prices are for used equipment with moderate hours. Check TrackCheck for current market values.
Looking to Buy Equipment?
TrackCheck tracks 17,026+ verified auction sales. See what skid steers and CTLs actually sell for.
Browse Equipment Listings