Dear PoP – French Drain Recs

Image via wikipedia

“Dear PoP,

Has anyone has hired a landscaper to do French drains? We’re hoping to do 3-4 small ones (the longest about 10 feet) to move rainwater off our property. Recommendations for landscapers? Expected cost?”

I had to look up French Drain on Wikipedia:

“A French drain, drain tile, perimeter drain or land drain is a trench covered with gravel or rock that redirects surface and groundwater away from an area. A French drain can have perforated hollow pipes along the bottom (see images) to quickly vent water that seeps down through the upper gravel or rock. French drains are common drainage systems, primarily used to prevent ground and surface water from penetrating or damaging building foundations. Alternatively, the French drain technique may be used to distribute water, such as that which flows from the outlet of a typical septic tank sewage treatment system. French drains are also used behind retaining walls to relieve ground water pressure.”

Anyone have one put in? Can you recommend a contractor and give a basic ball park of cost?