Dry well installation costs $1,200-$5,200 on average for materials and labor on HomeGuide. Angi puts the 2026 national average at $3,110 based on 1,339 verified projects from Angi Pros, with most homeowners paying $1,334-$5,139, while LawnLove shows a national average of $3,030 with a typical range of $1,165-$4,420. These are separately attributed publisher estimates with differing scopes and ranges, figures as published (November 2023 to October 2026).123
Dry well cost by type
HomeGuide and Angi publish identical materials-only price ranges for the three dry well types; matching figures alone do not establish independent corroboration, and the table below presents them as separately attributed publisher estimates. Installation is not included in these figures.12
| Dry well type | Average cost (materials only, HomeGuide and Angi) | Notes from sources |
|---|---|---|
| Gravel (seepage pit) | $50-$250 | hand-dug hole filled with gravel; most budget friendly per HomeGuide |
| Plastic basin | $90-$650 | prefabricated container, often includes pipe and drain installation per HomeGuide |
| Concrete basin | $300-$4,500+ | highest capacity per HomeGuide; requires heavy machinery |
Angi notes that installed concrete systems can reach up to $10,300. LawnLove describes the same three types without a per-type price table, characterizing gravel pits as the most cost-effective and concrete as the most expensive.23
Dry well cost by volume
All three sources scale price by water capacity, with slightly different volume bands and ranges.123
| Volume band | HomeGuide (total installed) | Angi | LawnLove (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50-250 gallons | $500-$1,200 | $500-$1,200 | $500-$1,165 |
| 250-500 gallons | $1,200-$5,200 | $1,200-$4,400 | $1,165-$4,420 |
| 500+ gallons | $5,200+ | $4,400+ (500-3,000 gal) | $4,420+ (500-3,000 gal) |
Labor, testing, and other costs
| Item | HomeGuide | Angi | LawnLove |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor | $5-$13 per linear foot | $50-$100 per hour | $5-$13 per linear foot (hand-dug pit) |
| Percolation test | $200-$3,000+, depending on method | $100-$1,000 (see discrepancy note) | averages around $900; most $550-$1,280 |
| Professional maintenance | recommends annual cleaning | $45-$150 per hour | $45-$150 per hour |
| Post-installation inspection | $250-$550 | not listed | not listed |
| Site evaluation line item | not listed | not listed | $150-$2,500 when billed separately |
Labor units differ by source and are not like-for-like. Angi says some contractors include the percolation test in the installation quote; LawnLove says evaluation cost is typically included in the overall service. HomeGuide also lists well water testing at $100-$350, omitted from the table as it applies to potable wells rather than stormwater dry wells.123
Alternatives and related drainage work
| Project | HomeGuide | LawnLove |
|---|---|---|
| French drain | $10-$35 per linear foot, or $500-$8,800 total | national average $5,000; typical $2,800-$6,500 |
| Sump pump | $600-$2,500 | not listed |
| Rain barrel | $200-$2,500 | not listed |
| Residential cistern | $2,000-$12,000+ | not listed |
| Yard grading | not listed | average $1,700; typical $770-$3,000 |
| Gutter installation | not listed | $900-$2,500 |
Dry wells are commonly installed near downspouts to manage roof runoff, per LawnLove; our related guides cover each option above in detail.3
DIY dry well costs
LawnLove prices a small DIY dry well at $185-$385 total: shovel $20-$30, gravel $45-$55 per cubic yard, and a plastic dry well container with accessories at $120-$300; pea gravel runs $0.86-$3.78 per square foot. Angi publishes the same $185-$385 DIY total. Both sources describe DIY as practical mainly for gravel pits and prefabricated plastic containers, with concrete systems requiring heavy equipment; Angi recommends having a contractor assess the yard to size the system even for DIY installs.23 For DIY materials, browse NDS drainage products at The Home Depot (non-affiliate link).
Source discrepancies worth knowing
Angi states a percolation test costs $150-$1,000 in its summary insights and $100-$1,000 in the body of the same page; the table above uses the body figure and both are disclosed here. HomeGuide and Angi publish identical materials-only ranges for all three dry well types, and Angi and LawnLove publish identical professional maintenance rates of $45-$150 per hour; these are presented as separately attributed publisher estimates, and matching figures alone do not establish independent corroboration.123
Related guides
Yard Drainage Cost
French Drain Cost
Downspout Installation Cost
Sources
- HomeGuide, “How Much Does Dry Well Installation Cost? (2026),” updated December 17, 2025, fact-checked per the page. https://homeguide.com/costs/dry-well-installation-cost
- Angi, “How Much Does Dry Well Installation Cost? [2026 Data],” updated October 15, 2026; its national average draws on 1,339 verified Angi pro projects, marketplace data cited on its own terms. https://www.angi.com/articles/dry-well-installation-cost.htm
- LawnLove, “How Much Does Dry Well Installation Cost in 2024?” updated November 29, 2023; the page discloses it may receive a referral fee for matching readers with contractors. https://lawnlove.com/blog/dry-well-installation-cost/