Drainage Contractor — North Shore MA

Most yard and basement water problems on the North Shore trace back to one of three things: undersized downspouts, no soil grading away from the foundation, or clay subsoil that won't percolate. AB Mendez Masonry & Landscaping diagnoses the actual water path on your property and builds the drainage system that fixes it.

Drainage problems we solve

• Standing water in the yard — flat grading, clay subsoil, or high water table. Fixed with French drains tied into dry wells or daylight outlets.
• Wet basements during heavy rain — 90% of the time it's exterior surface water. Fixed with downspout extensions, regrading the first 10 feet around the foundation, and curtain drains.
• Eroding hillsides & washouts — common on sloped lots in Marblehead, Salem, and Gloucester. Fixed with channel drains, swales, and retaining walls with weep systems.
• Driveway flooding — fixed with trench drains tied into dry wells or storm system.
• Downspouts dumping at the foundation — extend at least 6 feet from the house, ideally to a dry well or daylight outlet.

Massachusetts drainage code & site constraints

• Wetlands Protection Act (310 CMR 10.00) — any work within 100 feet of a wetland requires a Conservation Commission filing. Common in Newburyport, Ipswich, parts of Gloucester.
• Stormwater MS4 compliance — most North Shore towns require new impervious surfaces to manage their own runoff.
• Frost depth (48 inches) — drain pipes need to either be below frost line or rated to flex (corrugated HDPE).
• Septic system clearances — drainage discharge must be at least 25 feet from any septic component.
• Property-line discharge — Massachusetts common law forbids increasing surface runoff onto neighboring property.

Realistic drainage costs in MA (2026)

Project Type	Typical Range	Notes
French drain (60 linear feet w/ dry well)	$4,500 – $7,500	Bedded in washed stone + geotextile fabric
Downspout extension + dry well	$800 – $2,400 each	Per downspout. Highest-ROI fix.
Trench drain across driveway apron	$1,500 – $4,500	Cast iron or polymer grate, tied to dry well
Yard regrading (foundation perimeter)	$1,200 – $3,500	First 10 feet around foundation
Full property drainage system	$8,000 – $25,000+	Multiple drains + grading + dry wells

Service areas — drainage solutions across the North Shore

• Drainage Solutions in Lynn, MA
• Drainage Solutions in Salem, MA
• Drainage Solutions in Beverly, MA
• Drainage Solutions in Peabody, MA
• Drainage Solutions in Danvers, MA
• Drainage Solutions in Marblehead, MA
• Drainage Solutions in Gloucester, MA
• Drainage Solutions in Swampscott, MA
• Drainage Solutions in Newburyport, MA
• Drainage Solutions in Ipswich, MA

Frequently asked questions

How much does a French drain cost in Massachusetts?

Standard installed French drain runs $50–$100 per linear foot on the North Shore in 2026. A typical 60-foot perimeter French drain with a connected dry well runs $4,500–$7,500.

Can a French drain stop a wet basement?

Often yes — if the water is coming from surface runoff hitting the foundation. An exterior French drain plus downspout extensions and regrading fixes most basement water problems for under $6,000.

Do I need a permit for drainage work in Lynn or Salem?

Building permits aren't typically required for residential French drains and dry wells. Permits ARE required when work is within 100 feet of a wetland (Conservation Commission filing). We file all required paperwork.

How long do dry wells last?

Properly installed leaching chambers wrapped in geotextile fabric and bedded in washed stone last 20–30 years before they need cleaning or replacement.