Who Installs Trench Drains? Here’s Who to Hire

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

If you are asking who installs trench drains, excavation companies are the go-to pros. Plumbers and landscapers are also viable options. These pros handle permits, operate heavy equipment safely, and plan trenches to avoid utility lines, keeping your yard and underground systems protected.

Before any trenching, call 811 for utility locates. Skilled pros complete the work efficiently and leave you with a properly graded, functional drain.

Benefits of Hiring an Excavation Company to Install a Trench Drain

Excavation companies focus on trenching and have the heavy machinery and skills to dig safely and accurately. They set the correct depth and length, prepare a stable base, and minimize damage to your landscape. These pros also navigate excavation and plumbing permits, reducing delays and helping you avoid risks around underground utilities while saving you time versus DIY.

• Precisely dig trenches to correct length and depth

• Operate heavy trenching machinery safely and efficiently

• Avoid utility lines and protect underground systems

• Minimize damage to your landscape during trenching

• Navigate excavation and plumbing permits as needed

• Complete work faster than DIY efforts

• Prepare a level base for proper drainage

• Install drainpipe, grate, and covers correctly

• Test for leaks and seal as needed

Can I Hire a Plumber to Install a Trench Drain?

Yes. Plumbers install drains every day and can assess your outdoor plumbing infrastructure as part of the job. They also handle trenching for plumbing needs and serve as a solid option if excavation pros are unavailable. Choosing a plumber makes sense when you want a drain-focused expert who can look at the broader system and ensure everything ties in correctly.

If your project involves complex plumbing connections or you want to ensure the installation is up to code, you might want to consider hiring a local plumber to ensure the job is done safely and correctly. Landscapers can also install trench drains and blend installations into the yard’s design.

How Do Excavation Companies Install Trench Drains?

Pros follow a clear process to ensure performance and safety:

1. Assess the area for existing pipeworks, electrical lines, tree roots, and risks; call 811 before digging

2. Mark the installation area

3. Trench with appropriate excavation tools, such as a mini excavator when needed

4. Create and level a base with gravel or similar materials

5. Secure the drainpipe, then the trench drain

6. Add gravel to prevent pooling

7. Place the grate

8. Test for leaks and seal

9. Install the cover

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Trench Drain?

Hiring a pro to install a trench drain costs $30–$100 per linear foot, or about $3,000–$10,000 total depending on size and complexity. Local labor rates vary, and hiring an excavation pro, plumber, or landscaper runs $45–$200 per hour. Final cost depends on the type of professional hired, site conditions, and whether concrete or utilities complicate the work. Permit-related logistics apply, though specific amounts are not provided.