Yard Drainage and French Drain Installation in San Jose
- Since 1987
- Yelp 4.6 (46 reviews)
- Google 5.0 (8 reviews)
- Fully insured
In brief
Landscape Associates of CA fixes standing water, soggy lawns and runoff toward the house in San Jose, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Monte Sereno, Monterey and Carmel: French drains, catch basins, regrading, dry creek beds, downspout routing. San Jose: $1,500 to $8,000. Drainage before patios or turf. 2-year warranty. Fully insured. Free on-site estimate.
Updated October 2026
Why San Jose yards stay wet
Clay soil holds water. In a San Jose yard, a lawn can stay soggy even after the puddles disappear. Surface puddles and soggy soil need different drainage fixes. The drain should match the problem in your yard.
Flat lots leave rainwater with nowhere to flow. A low spot beside a patio can become a puddle while the rest of the yard dries. Changing the grade may give that water a route out without adding a buried drain.
Downspouts that empty at the foundation put roof runoff against the house. A downspout extension carries roof runoff away from the house before it spreads across the lawn.
Compacted fill left by the builder can keep water near the surface. Fresh sod covers the soil without changing how water moves through it. The grading and buried drainage need attention before another lawn goes down.
Runoff from a neighboring lot can cross into your yard and collect along a fence. Trace where it enters before choosing a drain location. The outlet matters just as much: moving the puddle to another property does not solve the problem.
Drainage fixes we build
French drains collect water in the soil. Catch basins collect surface water. Regrading changes the path water takes across the yard. Swales and berms steer runoff across open ground, a rain garden holds it in a planted low spot, and permeable paving lets it soak through a patio or driveway instead of running off. Waterlogged planting beds usually need one of these fixes before the plants recover. Each fix needs somewhere suitable for the water to go, so the outlet is part of the plan from the start.
| Fix | Solves | How it works | Where the water goes |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain | Soggy soil | Water collects in a perforated pipe surrounded by gravel. Filter fabric separates the gravel from the soil. | Suitable outlet downhill from the drain. |
| Catch basin and surface drain | Standing water in low spots | A grated basin collects surface water and feeds a pipe. | Through a pipe to the chosen outlet. |
| Regrading | Puddles from flat or uneven ground | Reshapes the surface so water flows away. | An area of the yard chosen to receive the water. |
| Dry creek bed | Runoff crossing the yard | A visible stone-lined channel guides surface water. | An area chosen to receive water at the lower end of the creek bed. |
| Downspout extension and routing | Roof water at the foundation | Carries downspout discharge away from the house. | Suitable outlet away from the foundation. |
| Channel drain at a patio or driveway edge | Runoff along paving | A channel with a grate catches water flowing across the paving. | Outlet pipe leading to the planned discharge point. |
What yard drainage costs in San Jose
San Jose drainage corrections typically cost $1,500 to $8,000. Where a job lands in that range depends on the length of drain, access for the trench, where the water can be discharged and how much paving or lawn has to be restored afterwards. Your price depends on the work your yard needs.
The price depends on the drain's length, the outlet location and any roots or utilities in the way. Removing paving also affects the cost. Landscape Associates prices each project individually and itemizes the work. For a Saratoga hillside property, we provide a price during the on-site estimate.
If drainage is part of a larger yard project, compare the full scope in our San Jose landscaping cost guide and Saratoga landscaping cost guide. Budget for restoring any lawn or paving disturbed by the trench.
Which drainage fix suits your yard's water problem?
A buried drain for soggy soil (French drain)
Choose a French drain when water held in the soil is the problem. Gravel lets water reach the perforated pipe. Filter fabric keeps the surrounding soil separate from the gravel.
A drain with a grate for puddles (catch basin)
A catch basin suits a low spot where runoff collects above ground. Water enters through the grate and flows away through a pipe. A basin without a workable outlet just collects another puddle.
Reshape uneven ground so water can flow away
If a shallow low spot causes the puddles, reshaping the ground may work better than adding a drain. The water still needs somewhere to go. Check the slope before adding a pipe.
Plan drainage before installing a patio, lawn or retaining wall
Drainage goes in before pavers or artificial or real turf. Plan the finished ground levels and outlet first. Otherwise, fixing a buried problem can mean lifting the new surface to reach it.
Retaining walls need their own drain pipe behind them. A catch basin in the lawn does not replace it. Our retaining wall page explains the drain rock, filter fabric and outlet used behind a retaining wall.
Where yard drains can send water and when permits are needed
A daylight outlet is a pipe that ends above ground. Other options include a dry well, if the soil can absorb the water, or a storm drain connection through a permitted curb outlet. None is suitable everywhere. Clay soil can limit how well a dry well works. A daylight outlet needs a suitable place downhill for the water to drain.
In San Jose, cutting a drain outlet through the curb is Transportation Department permit work. The City requires that permit for curb, apron or sidewalk work. See the City of San Jose driveway and sidewalk rules (checked October 2026).
On San Jose single-family lots, a retaining wall supporting a surcharge or measuring 4 ft or more from the bottom of the footing to the top needs a Public Works grading permit. See the City of San Jose retaining wall rules (checked October 2026).
For properties using Valley Water-supplied potable water, Valley Water Ordinance 23-02 bans watering that causes more than incidental runoff. If irrigation sends water onto the sidewalk, address the watering as well as the drainage. See Valley Water Ordinance 23-02 (checked October 2026).
How a drainage project runs
We inspect the wet areas in your yard
At the free on-site estimate, we look at the soggy lawn, puddles and water near the house. When a visit falls on a rainy day, we can see where the water flows.
Trace where yard water comes from and where it can go
We locate low spots and trace water coming from the roof or neighboring land. The map connects the wet area to a suitable discharge point.
Plan the drainage work and provide an itemized estimate
We identify where the yard needs grading, French drains or surface drains. The itemized estimate lists the proposed work and explains when drainage will be installed in relation to lawn or paving work.
Dig and install the drainage
The trench, pipe and outlet follow the plan. French drains use perforated pipe, gravel and filter fabric. Catch basins collect surface water.
Fill the trenches, restore your yard and show you the drains
We backfill and restore the affected lawn or paving. At the walkthrough, we show you the drain locations and where the collected water goes.
Who fixes your drainage
David Muhoberac founded Landscape Associates of CA in 1987. The company is fully insured and provides a 2-year warranty on drainage. We serve San Jose, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Monte Sereno, Monterey and Carmel.
“They even took care of drainage issues the original home builders had left behind.” Z C., San Jose, CA, Apr 2022.
If water is sitting in your yard, call or text (408) 207-5545. Free on-site estimate; we reply within 24 hours.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Reviews from Yelp and Google, with the reviewer's city and date
This was our second time using Landscape Associates, at a different property. David, Obed, and the crew added new paver stones, a planter, and expanded our irrigation. They even took care of drainage issues the original home builders had left behind.
San Jose, CA
David and Obed were great from start to finish. They gave us solid advice on design choices and made sure our vision drove the project. They took a backyard full of dirt and turned it into our family's dream outdoor space. Highly recommend!
San Francisco, CA
David's team did a beautiful job transforming my yard into a gorgeous patio. They worked closely with me to bring my design to life and went the extra mile to make sure everything was right. Honest work, no hidden costs, no surprises.
Cupertino, CA
Big job: stump removal, full irrigation replacement, new sod, paver driveway, retaining walls, and lighting. It turned out more beautiful than we imagined. We liked the results so much we had them redo the front yard a few months later.
San Jose, CA
I cannot recommend this company enough. David turned my backyard, basically a giant hill of dirt and weeds, into a gorgeous oasis of fruit trees, plants, flowers, and retaining walls. Working with him was a real pleasure and the pricing was very fair.
San Francisco, CA
Landscape Associates did a full remodel of my front and back yards. David understood exactly what I had in mind, delivered the yard I hoped for, and somehow made it even better. He kept in touch through every step and his crew was respectful of my property.
San Jose, CA
If I could give more stars I would. Workers showed up every single day at 8:30am sharp. David was always easy to reach and when I had changes mid-project, they accommodated every one without complaint. The customer service really set them apart.
Milpitas, CA
Great communication throughout and they walked us through every step. The paver patio and driveway are flawlessly integrated. We would absolutely hire them again. In fact I was already texting David about redoing the entire front yard.
San Jose, CA
We are very happy with the results. David installed a new front lawn and side yard plantings and the whole project wrapped up in a week. We were impressed that they renewed our entire irrigation system as part of the job. Would recommend to anyone in the area.
San Jose, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Call (408) 207-5545How much does a French drain cost in San Jose?
San Jose drainage corrections typically cost $1,500 to $8,000. Where a job lands in that range depends on the length of drain, access for the trench, where the water can be discharged and how much paving or lawn has to be restored. The price depends on the drain's length, its outlet and any roots or utilities in the way. Removing paving also affects the cost. At the free on-site estimate, we assess the work your yard needs.
Why is my lawn always soggy?
Clay soil, compacted fill and flat grading can leave water sitting in a lawn. Downspouts that empty near the foundation or runoff from a neighboring lot can make the lawn wetter. The fix depends on the source: regrading redirects surface flow, while a French drain collects water held in the soil.
What is the difference between a French drain and a catch basin?
A French drain collects water from the soil through a perforated pipe surrounded by gravel. Filter fabric separates the gravel from the soil. A catch basin receives surface water through a grate and sends it into an outlet pipe. A yard with soggy soil and surface puddles may need a French drain and a catch basin.
Can you fix drainage while rebuilding my patio?
Yes. Plan the drainage before the new patio goes down so pipe routes, collection points and finished ground levels work together. A channel drain can collect runoff at a paving edge. See our paver installation page for the paving work that follows the drainage.
Do retaining walls need drainage?
Yes. A retaining wall needs drainage behind it so water has a way out. Perforated drain pipe, drain rock and filter fabric serve a different purpose from a surface drain in the lawn. Our retaining wall page explains how the wall, base and drainage work together.
Where does the water from a yard drain go?
Depending on the lot, water can go to a suitable daylight outlet, a dry well or a storm drain through a permitted curb outlet. Soil conditions and the available discharge point determine the choice. Choose where the water will go before digging a trench.
Do I need a permit for drainage in San Jose?
Cutting an outlet through the curb needs a Transportation Department permit: City curb-work rules (checked October 2026). On single-family lots, retaining walls supporting a surcharge or measuring 4 ft or more from footing bottom to wall top need a Public Works grading permit: City wall rules (checked October 2026). Requirements depend on the work; these are not blanket exemptions for other drainage projects.
What affects how long yard drainage work takes?
We schedule your drainage work during the on-site estimate. The time depends on the drain route, access for digging, outlet work and restoration of lawn or paving. Installing a French drain through an open lawn involves different work from removing paving and regrading a yard.
What is the warranty on drainage?
Landscape Associates of CA provides a 2-year warranty on drainage. Ask about the terms for your proposed work at the free on-site estimate. The itemized project price lets you see the drainage work included, whether it is a French drain, surface collection or a combination of fixes.
Which cities do you serve for yard drainage installation?
Landscape Associates of CA serves San Jose, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Monte Sereno, Monterey and Carmel. We also work in Los Altos Hills, Carmel Valley and Pebble Beach, and in Campbell, Cupertino and Sunnyvale. Call or text (408) 207-5545 to book a free on-site look at the wet spots; we reply within 24 hours.
Get a Free Quote
Call us, send the estimate form, or email us. We reply within 24 hours to book a free site visit. Call or text (408) 207-5545.
- (408) 207-5545
- david@landscapeassociatesca.com
- Mailing address: 125 Surf Way #443, Monterey, CA 93940
- Mon - Fri: 8:00-5:00 · Closed on weekends