The scope
What We Handle
French drains
Subsurface drains that pull water away from the foundation and wet spots.
Yard & surface drainage
Catch basins, channel drains, and downspout tie-ins.
Erosion control
Grading and stabilization that keep soil and slopes in place.
Drainage grading
Re-grading so water runs away from the house, not toward it.
Often paired with grading and excavation. See the full site work and grading hub.
Why Chonko
Why Fix Your Drainage With Chonko Construction
Water is patient. Give it a low spot or a grade that runs the wrong way and it will find the foundation eventually. As a licensed home builder, we read the whole lot, not just the wet spot, and coordinate the regrading and drains together so water leaves the property instead of pooling against the house.
The whole lot, not a patch.
We diagnose grade, soil, and downspouts together, not one symptom.
Drains plus grading
French drains and catch basins where water collects, regrading so it never gets there.
In writing first
The scope, schedule, and price are set before we open a trench.
Cost drivers
What Drives the Price
Every lot drains differently, so we set the exact number in writing after we walk the site. A few things move it most:
Length of drain
More linear feet of French drain or channel means more trenching, pipe, and gravel.
Regrading
How much earth has to move to run water away from the house.
Access
Tight or landscaped yards slow the equipment and add hand-work.
Outlet & daylight
Getting water to a safe discharge point can add pipe and depth.
Erosion control
Stabilizing slopes or bare soil is its own line.
Columbia & the Midlands
Drainage in the Midlands
South Carolina's clay soil sheds water slowly and our summer storms drop a lot of it fast. The combination is why Midlands yards pool, and why foundations take on water the clay holds against them. We grade for runoff and place drains where the water actually collects, so the lot moves water away from the house through our heaviest downpours.
Serving Columbia & the Midlands
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a French drain?add
A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that collects and redirects water away from a foundation or low spot. Chonko Construction installs French drains and yard drainage across Columbia and the Midlands.
Why do I have standing water in my yard?add
Standing water usually comes from poor grading, compacted or clay soil, or downspouts dumping near the house. The fix is regrading for runoff plus drains where water collects. Chonko Construction evaluates the lot and recommends the right combination.
How much does drainage work cost in Columbia, SC?add
Cost depends on the length of drain, access, and how much regrading is needed. Every Chonko Construction project starts with a written scope, schedule, and price before work begins. Typical Midlands ranges are published in our french drain cost guide.
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Let's Fix Your Drainage
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