Basement drainage - installing drain, sump pump, etc

[Christina R.]

Hi!

I live in Maryland and have family that may be installing a sump pump/interior drain system in their unfinished cinder block foundation basement.  The house was built in 1968.  I know nothing about this trade of construction.

Questions -

*  Do you have to have a French drain (and are ALL interior drain systems called French drains or is there something specific to that) with a sump pump .... or can you have one without the other?

*  the basement is completely empty except for mechanicals and w/d in one area.  How long would installing an interior perimeter drain with sump pump take?  Just the sump pump?

* What are some questions that MUST be asked when collecting bids that the Average Joe & Jane would not think to ask about a job such as this?

Any other suggestions, advice is appreciated.  If you know licensed workers that do this in Montgomery County, MD area please PM me the contact information.

Christina