What perimeter drainage costs in Vancouver
Full perimeter drain replacement on a Metro Vancouver detached home typically costs $15,000–$25,000. Partial replacement runs $8,000–$15,000, and if the pipe is sound and just silted, cleaning and flushing is a fraction of the cost. A camera inspection is what tells you which you need.
These are market ranges for Metro Vancouver, not a quote. They’re here so you can plan and compare, and they’re reviewed quarterly.
What it costs
What decides where in the range you land
The biggest factor by a distance. A tight side yard between two houses — extremely common in Vancouver — can double the labour compared with an open lot, because machinery may not fit and the work becomes manual.
Lawn is cheap to remove and replace. A stamped concrete patio, a mature garden, a driveway or a retaining wall is not. This is often the largest single difference between two quotes on similar houses.
Deeper foundations mean more excavation and more spoil to remove.
With the foundation wall exposed, applying a damp-proof membrane is the only sensible moment to do it. Doing it later means digging again.
Connecting to an existing storm connection is cheaper than creating a new one or installing a sump.
Wet, unstable or contaminated soil slows everything down. Working in November costs more than working in July for exactly this reason.
What people ask us
How much does it cost to replace perimeter drains in Vancouver?
$15,000–$25,000 for a full perimeter on a standard lot.
Can I just clean them instead?
If the pipe is sound, yes, and it's a fraction of the cost. A camera inspection decides.
How long do perimeter drains last?
30–40 years with modern pipe and filter fabric; less with older clay or unwrapped pipe.
Will insurance cover it?
Generally not — insurers cover sudden damage, not the gradual failure of a component.
Do you restore the landscaping?
We bring the ground back to original condition as far as we can, and we offer landscaping services.
When's the best time to do it?
May–September.
Got a quote you want checked?
Send it to [email protected]. We’ll tell you whether it’s fair, including when it is — and if the quote you already have is the one to take, we’ll say so.
