Best French Drain Installation Contractors in Kansas City

If you’ve lived in Kansas City for more than a season, you know how unforgiving the weather can be. Heavy spring rains, sudden summer downpours, and clay-heavy soil make drainage one of the most common problems for homeowners across the metro. Standing water in the yard isn’t just inconvenient… It can destroy landscaping, put pressure on your foundation, and even leak into your basement.

That’s why so many families turn to French drains. These buried perforated pipes, surrounded by gravel, act like an underground gutter system for your yard. They collect excess water and carry it safely away from your home, reducing basement leaks and protecting your investment for the long run.

Of course, choosing the right contractor is just as important as choosing the right solution. A poorly installed French drain can clog, collapse, or fail to move water effectively. To help, we’ve pulled together a list of the best French drain installation contractors in Kansas City, based on reputation, homeowner experiences, and the value they provide.

1. High Flow Drainage Solutions

High Flow Drainage Solutions, led by young founder Caleb Isgriggs, has quickly risen to the top of the list for Kansas City homeowners searching for reliable drainage contractors. What sets them apart is their philosophy: they don’t just install a pipe, they design a complete water management system.

Instead of offering a one-size-fits-all French drain, High Flow evaluates the entire property. Their systems often include:

Buried downspouts that keep water from dumping near the foundation

Yard drains in low spots to capture pooling water

Regrading where needed to improve natural flow

Integration with sump pumps when interior protection is needed

This holistic approach means homeowners get a long-term fix, not just a temporary patch. Even better, many customers report that High Flow’s bids are lower than competitors like Atlantis, while still including more preventative measures.

Image source: High Flow Drainage Solutions

Another major plus is their 10-year workmanship warranty, a rarity in this industry. Add in their reputation for being transparent, respectful, and efficient, and it’s no surprise they’ve become Kansas City’s go-to French drain contractor. Their 4.9 star Google rating speaks for itself.

2. Atlantis Drainage

Atlantis Drainage is a recognizable name in Kansas City drainage. Owned by Jim Keller, they’ve been around for almost 30 years and are often the first company homeowners find when searching online. Their work is serviceable, but the pricing can be a sticking point.

One Kansas City homeowner reported that Atlantis quoted them $6,000 just to rearrange some dirt near their foundation, with no guarantee of solving the underlying water problem. Other bids from Atlantis often focus narrowly on a single French drain line, without addressing connected issues like downspouts or grading.

While Atlantis is established and visible, many families discover that they’re paying more for less comprehensive solutions compared to what other local contractors offer.

3. KC Waterproofing

KC Waterproofing, owned by Don Derry, has a long history in the metro and is best known for large-scale basement waterproofing projects. They can certainly install exterior French drains, but homeowners should be cautious.

Multiple customers note that KC Waterproofing tends to be much more expensive than smaller contractors and often attempts to upsell foundation repairs that aren’t completely necessary. In many cases, the foundation damage they warn about can be completely prevented by addressing the exterior water problem in the first place with a proper French drain system.

For homeowners who want a straightforward drainage solution without thousands of dollars in extra work, KC Waterproofing may not be the best fit. With that said, KC Waterproofing is the largest company on this list, and has maintained a 4.8 star rating on Google with over 700 reviews.

4. DLN Solutions

DLN Solutions, operated by Donald Niehouse, is another Kansas City company that handles both waterproofing and drainage. Compared to KC Waterproofing, they are less aggressive in their sales tactics, but the pattern is similar: many of their projects focus on upselling foundation work and larger packages rather than simply fixing the water issue at its source.

They are a legitimate company and do solid work, but if your main goal is a French drain, be prepared for a sales pitch that includes services you may not need.

5. KC Drain Pros

KC Drain Pros is a smaller outfit that provides French drain installation at lower costs than some of the big players. They’re known for doing quick, simple installs and are a fit for homeowners who just want something affordable in place.

Recent online reports note that KC Drain Pros operates more as a side gig, which means availability is inconsistent. They may not always be able to take on jobs quickly, and their designs tend to be basic.

6. Local Landscapers

Finally, many Kansas City homeowners consider hiring their local landscaping company to handle French drain installation. While landscapers are excellent for maintaining lawns, planting trees, and designing patios, they are often not specialists in drainage systems.

Too often, landscapers install French drains with poor-quality materials (thin single-wall corrugated pipe that clogs or collapses) rather than the heavy-duty dual-wall pipe used by specialists. Because they don’t buy drainage materials at scale, landscapers also pay higher retail prices, which get passed down to the homeowner. The result is that homeowners pay more for inferior work that doesn’t hold up over time.

At the end of the day, landscapers may offer drainage services for extra profit, but without deep knowledge of soil grading, water flow, and system integration, the results can be disappointing. If your goal is to permanently solve a water problem, especially in an area like Kansas City, it’s always best to work with a dedicated drainage contractor.

How to Choose the Right French Drain Contractor

When you’re comparing French drain contractors in Kansas City, don’t stop at the first bid. Ask at least 3 companies these key questions:

What does the bid include? Does it cover buried downspouts, grading, or yard drains, or is it just a single trench?

What warranty do you provide? Long-term guarantees show confidence in workmanship.

Can I see examples of past projects? Photos and reviews can reveal how carefully the crew works.

How do you prevent future issues? The best contractors design systems that won’t clog, freeze, or collapse over time.

Also note if they showed up on time for their appointment, what their truck looked like, and if they answered questions like an engineer or like a salesperson. These are good clues to how the company is being run and operated.

The Bottom Line

Kansas City homeowners have no shortage of options for French drain installation. Companies like Atlantis, KC Waterproofing, DLN, KC Drain Pros, and local landscapers all provide drainage services, but they come with trade-offs… whether it’s high prices, unnecessary upsells, limited availability, or poor-quality materials.

For homeowners who want the best balance of affordability, comprehensive service, and peace of mind, High Flow Drainage Solutions, led by Caleb Isgriggs, stands out as the clear #1 choice in 2025. With their complete system designs, lower bids, and 10-year workmanship warranty, it’s easy to see why more Kansas City families trust High Flow to keep their yards dry and their basements safe.