Drainage projects typically run $2,000-$25,000, depending on how much water you are moving and how far it has to travel. One problem spot usually runs $2,000 to $5,000, larger French drain systems run $3,500 to $9,000, and a combined yard system with re-grading runs $6,000-$14,000.
Southlake and Westlake sit at the top of those ranges more often than the rest of DFW for a simple reason: the lots are bigger. More ground means longer pipe runs to a discharge point, and pipe run length is one of the main things you pay for.
What each project level includes
| Project level | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|
| Targeted fix | $2,000-$5,000 | A French drain or downspout routing for a single problem area. |
| Yard system | $6,000-$14,000 | Combined French drains, area drains, and re-grading across the property. |
| Major correction | $15,000-$25,000+ | Comprehensive drainage with extensive grading, dry creeks, and long runs to daylight. |
French drain, area drains, or regrading?
Three different tools for three different problems:
- French drain, $3,500 to $9,000. For ground that stays soggy for days. Perforated pipe in gravel below grade collects water out of the soil itself.
- Area drains, $2,000 to $5,000. For low spots that hold water after rain. Surface catches tied to a buried line that carries the water away.
- Regrading and swales, $4,000 to $15,000. For water running the wrong direction. Often the real fix, because it changes where water goes instead of catching it after it arrives.
Water pooling on a patio, driveway, or pool deck is a different problem with a different fix. Our guide to trench drains vs French drains covers which is which.
What drives price on Southlake and Westlake lots?
Like most of Dallas-Fort Worth, these towns are built on heavy clay, and clay sheds water instead of soaking it up. On an estate lot in Timarron or Vaquero that shed water has a long way to travel, which means longer runs, more catches along the way, and more grading to keep it moving. Established landscaping is the other cost driver: trenching through a finished estate lawn takes care, and putting it back right is part of the job.
Permits vary by town and by what the work touches. Check requirements with the City of Southlake or the Town of Westlake before work starts. We prepare the plans and work with the city and registered licensed trades to get permits filed and inspections scheduled.
How long does an install take?
A single-area fix is a short job, measured in days. Whole-property systems with regrading take longer, and weather matters, because trenching and grading do not happen in a soaked yard. You get a schedule with the fixed-scope proposal, not a guess.
When to pair drainage with a patio or wall
The best time to fix drainage is when the hardscape is being built, because the same excavation serves both. A patio changes how water moves across the yard, and a retaining wall has to manage the water behind it, so on clay lots we design the drainage and the hardscape as one system. If a patio or wall is in your plans, price them together.
We build these systems across Southlake and Westlake. Comparing markets? See the Dallas and Frisco drainage cost guides.
Figures are typical Dallas–Fort Worth ranges for planning, not a quote. Your exact investment depends on site conditions, materials, and the scope of your project.
