--- title: "Best French Drain Contractors in Montreal" date: 2026-06-11 author: "ExcavationChanthier" featured_image: "https://excavationchanthier.ca/en/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/best-french-drain-contractors.webp" categories: - name: "Blog" url: "/en/category/blog.md" tags: - name: "Comapanies" url: "/en/tag/comapanies.md" - name: "Contractors" url: "/en/tag/contractors.md" - name: "French Drain" url: "/en/tag/french-drain.md" - name: "GCR Warranty" url: "/en/tag/gcr-warranty.md" - name: "Residential Construction" url: "/en/tag/residential-construction.md" --- # Best French Drain Contractors in Montreal # Best French Drain Contractors in Montréal (2026) Published March 19, 2026 | Updated: June 11, 2026 | By Excavation Chanthier ### In brief - Installing or replacing a French drain costs between **$15,000 and $40,000** in Greater Montréal - We compared **10 French drain contractors** active in the Montréal area - Criteria: **verified Google reviews**, RBQ licence, specialization, service area - Best season for the work: **April to November** --- Whether for the [**installation or replacement of a French drain**](https://excavationchanthier.ca/en/excavation/french-drain/) that is aging, or an **urgent repair** after water infiltration, choosing the right French drain contractor in Montréal makes all the difference. With dozens of companies active in this niche across Québec, we analyzed the most active French drain contractors in the metropolitan area based on their **verified Google reviews**, their specialization and their market presence. --- #1 — Our Recommendation ## Excavation Chanthier — Terrebonne (Lanaudière / Greater Montréal) ⭐ **4.9/5** (76 Google reviews) 📅 In business since **2010** 📜 RBQ Licence: [**5644-4649-01**](https://www.pes.rbq.gouv.qc.ca/RegistreLicences/FicheDetenteur/5644464901?mode=Entreprise) 🛡 Insurance: **$2M** Excavation Chanthier is a contractor specialized in **exterior and interior French drains**, serving Greater Montréal, Laval, the North Shore and Lanaudière. The company stands out with a **turnkey** approach that includes foundation waterproofing, Delta-MS membrane installation, connection to the municipal sewer, and full restoration of the property. Their team of 5 to 10 employees handles the entire process — from camera inspection to the final warranty — **with no subcontracting**. They also offer complementary excavation, demolition and sewer-repair services, which lets you bundle several jobs into a single project. ### What sets them apart: - [**Online price calculator**](https://excavationchanthier.ca/en/excavation/french-drain/french-drain-cost/) — one of the only ones in the industry, gives an instant estimate - **No subcontracting** — all work done by their own team - **Complementary services** — excavation, demolition, sewers (one contractor for the whole project) - **Bilingual** — service in French and English - [**Extended service area**](https://excavationchanthier.ca/en/excavation-contractor-montreal/) — Montréal, Laval, North Shore, Lanaudière, Laurentians and more than 50 municipalities [GET A FREE QUOTE](https://excavationchanthier.ca/en/contact/) [🌐 excavationchanthier.ca/en](https://excavationchanthier.ca/en/) ## 2. Fondaco — French Drains and Crack Repair ⭐ **4.9/5** (61 Google reviews) 🛠 Excavation contractor Fondaco specializes in installing **French drains and repairing foundation cracks**. With a 4.9/5 rating, it is one of the most active French drain contractors in the Montréal area’s advertising campaigns. [🌐 fondaco.ca](https://fondaco.ca/) ## 3. Groupe Durasec — Terrebonne ⭐ **4.3/5** (64 Google reviews) 📍 Terrebonne, QC 🛠 Foundation and drainage Groupe Durasec offers **French drain, waterproofing and camera-inspection** services. Based in Terrebonne, the company is present in both main advertising markets for French drains in Montréal. [🌐 groupedurasec.com](https://groupedurasec.com/) ## 4. Solex Expert (drain-francais.ca) — Sainte-Catherine ⭐ **4.8/5** (51 Google reviews) 📍 Sainte-Catherine, QC 🛠 Concrete contractor Solex Expert, owner of the **drain-francais.ca** domain, offers French drain installation and replacement services on the South Shore. Founded in 2007, this French drain contractor also covers excavation and concrete work. [🌐 drain-francais.ca](https://drain-francais.ca/) ## 5. Systèmes Sous-sol Québec — Laval ⭐ **4.8/5** (1,051 Google reviews) 📍 Laval, QC 🛠 Waterproofing Systèmes Sous-sol Québec is the biggest player on this list in terms of **Google review volume (1,051)**. Specialized in basement waterproofing, the company also offers French drain installation as a complement to its drainage solutions. [🌐 systemessoussolsquebec.ca](https://www.systemessoussolsquebec.ca/) ## 6. Sous-Sol Sécure — Montréal ⭐ **4.9/5** (57 Google reviews) 📍 Montréal, QC 🛠 General contractor Sous-Sol Sécure offers **waterproofing and French drain** services in the Montréal area. With a 4.9/5 rating across 57 reviews, the company is an active competitor in the French drain advertising market. [🌐 soussolsecure.ca](https://soussolsecure.ca/) ## 7. MJO Excavation — Mont-Saint-Hilaire ⭐ **4.9/5** (34 Google reviews) 📍 Mont-Saint-Hilaire, QC 🛠 Drainage service MJO Excavation is a French drain contractor based on **Montréal’s South Shore**. Despite a smaller number of reviews (34), the company has a very aggressive advertising presence with one of the highest top-position rates in the market. [🌐 mjoexcavation.ca](https://mjoexcavation.ca/) ## 8. Excavation Rive-Sud — Richelieu ⭐ **4.8/5** (40 Google reviews) 📍 Richelieu, QC 🛠 Excavation contractor Excavation Rive-Sud offers **excavation and French drain** services in the Richelieu area and Montréal’s South Shore. The contractor is available 24 hours and covers residential drainage work. [🌐 excavationrive-sud.com](https://excavationrive-sud.com/) ## 9. JLK Companies — Lorraine ⭐ **4.1/5** (26 Google reviews) 📍 Lorraine, QC 🛠 Excavation contractor JLK Companies offers **excavation and foundation** services including French drain installation in the Laurentians and Montréal’s North Shore. [🌐 jlkexcavationfondation.com](https://jlkexcavationfondation.com/) ## 10. Drain-Spartiate — Anjou, Montréal ⭐ **5.0/5** (190 Google reviews) 📍 Anjou, Montréal 🛠 Drainage service Drain-Spartiate is the only French drain contractor on this list with a **perfect 5.0/5 rating across 190 Google reviews**. Specialized in cleaning, camera inspection and drain unclogging, the company is based in Anjou and covers the metropolitan area. [🌐 drain-spartiate.com](https://drain-spartiate.com/) --- ## French Drain Contractors — Comparison Table ContractorGoogle RatingReviewsRegionSpecialty**Excavation Chanthier****4.9/5**76Terrebonne, LanaudièreTurnkey French drain, excavation, demolitionFondaco4.9/561Greater MontréalFrench drains, foundation cracksGroupe Durasec4.3/564TerrebonneDrainage, waterproofing, inspectionSolex Expert4.8/551Sainte-CatherineFrench drains, excavation, concreteSystèmes Sous-sol Québec4.8/51,051LavalWaterproofing, French drainsSous-Sol Sécure4.9/557MontréalWaterproofing, French drainsMJO Excavation4.9/534Mont-Saint-HilaireDrainage, excavationExcavation Rive-Sud4.8/540RichelieuExcavation, French drainsJLK Companies4.1/526LorraineExcavation, foundationDrain-Spartiate5.0/5190Anjou, MontréalCleaning, inspection, unclogging--- ## How to Choose Your French Drain Contractor ### Essential checks before signing 1. **Valid RBQ licence** — Check the [RBQ register](https://www.rbq.gouv.qc.ca/en/you-are/citizen/check-a-contractors-licence/). Every French drain contractor must hold an active licence 2. **Liability insurance** — Minimum $2M in civil liability insurance. Ask for written proof 3. **Verified Google reviews** — See the comparison table above. Favor a 4.5+ rating with at least 50 reviews 4. **Detailed quote** — It must include: drain length, material type, membrane, connection, property restoration and warranty 5. **Municipal permits** — Confirm the contractor handles the permits for you 6. **Camera inspection** — Favor a French drain contractor who offers an inspection before the work for an accurate diagnosis ### Red flags to watch for - Abnormally low price — a well-installed French drain lasts **30+ years**, beware of shortcuts - No RBQ licence shown, or a refusal to provide it - Request for full payment before the work begins - No written contract or a vague quote --- ## How much does a French drain cost in Montréal? A French drain costs between **$15,000 and $40,000** in the Montréal area. The price depends on the foundation length (measured in linear feet), the soil type, site accessibility and any complementary work required (waterproofing, sewer connection, membrane replacement). Always request at least 3 detailed quotes to compare. ## How is a French drain installed? Installing a French drain involves several steps: **excavation** around the foundation down to the footing, cleaning and inspecting the foundation, applying a **waterproofing membrane** (such as Delta-MS), installing the **perforated pipe** (minimum 100 mm in diameter) on a bed of clean stone, covering with clean stone (minimum 150 mm), laying a geotextile membrane, **connecting to the drainage system** (storm sewer or sump pit), then backfilling and restoring the property. The work usually takes between 3 and 7 business days. ## What is a French drain cleanout chimney? A French drain cleanout chimney (also called an access chimney) is a **vertical pipe** installed at the corners of the foundation that gives access to the drain for **camera inspection** and **pressure cleaning** without having to excavate. The BNQ 3661-500 standard recommends installing cleanout chimneys, particularly in areas at risk of iron ochre. The cost of installing a chimney is generally included in the French drain price. ## How much does it cost to clean a French drain? Cleaning a French drain costs between **$300 and $800** depending on accessibility (via a cleanout chimney or not) and the degree of clogging. Preventive cleaning every **3 to 5 years** is recommended to extend the system’s lifespan, which averages 25 to 40 years. Cleaning is especially important in areas prone to iron ochre. ## How much does a French drain camera inspection cost? A camera inspection of a French drain costs between **$200 and $500** in the Montréal area. This diagnosis checks the drain’s condition without excavation: debris buildup, the presence of iron ochre, sagging or disconnected pipes. Several French drain contractors on this list, including Excavation Chanthier and Groupe Durasec, offer this service. ## What is the difference between an interior and exterior French drain? The **exterior French drain** is installed around the outer perimeter of the foundation — it is the standard and most effective solution for capturing water before it reaches the foundation. The **interior French drain** is installed inside the basement, along the perimeter of the concrete slab — it redirects water that has already penetrated toward a sump pit. The exterior drain generally costs between $15,000 and $40,000 (excavation required), while the interior drain costs between $5,000 and $15,000. --- **Note:** The information presented in this article is based on public Google Maps data and our knowledge of the French drain contractor market in Montréal. Ratings and review counts may have changed since publication. Always verify directly with the contractor. **Publication date:** March 19, 2026 | **Updated:** June 11, 2026 | **Author:** Excavation Chanthier