Buying or replacing a septic tank is a financial burden that just plain stinks for many homeowners. From start to finish, installing a septic system requires detailed planning, the expertise of a professional and at least a few thousand dollars to get the job done right.
“Before buying a septic tank, homeowners need to understand their property and local regulations. Your soil type, water table level and the size of your lot are crucial factors,” says , cofounder of Virginia Builders in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
There are also costs to consider besides just the septic tank, Kinser says. Still, septic systems “are a good choice for rural properties without access to municipal sewage systems,” he says.
Here’s what you need to know about septic tank and septic system costs, from installation to maintenance.
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Why Does Anyone Need a Septic Tank?
If your home isn’t hooked up to a municipal sewer system, your alternative is a septic system, which includes a container buried underground on your property that holds and treats the water and waste that leaves your home via plumbing pipes.
Put simply, if you don’t have a sewer system or septic tank, there’s nowhere for your water to go after you shower or flush your toilet.
Can I Install a Septic Tank Myself?
You can find how-to videos on YouTube, but this really isn’t a do-it-yourself project. Whether you’re looking to install a septic system as part of a or to replace an old septic system, septic tanks should be installed by professionals. The complexity and scale of the project requires heavy machinery, careful digging and plumbing hookups that could prove disastrous if done incorrectly.
A lot goes into installing a septic tank, including initial ground tests to ensure the soil is suitable to hold a septic tank. Properties where the ground often floods, for example, would face frequent septic problems. Depending on where you live, you may need a permit to move forward with the installation. An engineer will need to design the system, including the tank’s placement and the location of the drain field, which is where water leaves the septic tank to be absorbed into the soil.
A will then dig in the area of the tank and drain field for installation, which also includes plumbing hookups to the home. Throughout the process and upon completion, the system will likely need to be inspected and approved to complete the permitting process.
If you’re replacing your septic tank or system, keep in mind that the old tank will need to be removed as well. This will either be worked into the total cost of installation or considered a separate cost by the contractor.
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How Much Does a Septic System Cost?
The national average cost for a septic tank installation is $8,027, according to home improvement network and information site Angi, and odds are you’ll spend somewhere between about $3,600 and $12,500. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, however, has that number a little higher, with repairing or replacing a septic tank typically costing between $5,000 and $15,000.
Depending on the size and location of your home, the size and material of your tank and your preferred type of septic system, you may find yourself paying even more. HomeAdvisor reports that aerobic septic systems, which use oxygen-loving bacteria to break down waste, can cost up to $20,000 to install. This is because they require an air pump and more than one septic tank.
Septic Tank Prices by Type
Septic tanks are primarily made of these materials:
— Concrete: The most common septic tank material, concrete can last decades, but it is prone to cracking. Concrete septic tank prices range from $700 to $2,000, according to Angi.
— Plastic: This is a less expensive material, but plastic is lightweight and more prone to structural damage. Plastic septic tank prices range from $500 to $2,000.
— Fiberglass: While unlikely to crack or rust, fiberglass is also a lightweight material that can be susceptible to structural damage during installation or if the tank shifts in the soil from its original position. Fiberglass septic tank prices range from $1,200 to $2,000.
— Steel: Steel can rust, and the septic tank cover may corrode over time, which can become a safety hazard in your yard. Steel is the least popular material used today. You may have a steel septic tank buried in your yard, but it’s unlikely you’ll be able to purchase a steel septic tank to replace it.
Septic Tank Sizes for Your Property
You’ll also need to know how big your septic tank should be, which is based on the . It typically breaks down in this way:
— 500-gallon tank for a one-bedroom house
— 750-gallon tank for a two-bedroom home
— 1,000-gallon septic tank for a home with three or four bedrooms
— 1,200-gallon septic tank for a house with five or six bedrooms
For a septic tank less than 1,000 gallons, the tank itself will likely cost between $500 and $1,200, according to HomeAdvisor, while a tank that’s 1,000 gallons is more likely to cost from $900 to $1,500. A septic tank that is 1,200 gallons can run as much as $1,600.
You should research what you’re buying, says , a real estate agent and owner of Bramlett Partners in Austin, Texas.
“There are so many factors that go into septic systems,” Bramlett says. “One thing I always try to stress to clients is that not all septic systems are created equal. Some are very straightforward gravity flow systems that are inexpensive to operate for years to come. However, other properties may require more complex pumped systems that involve electric pumps and higher maintenance costs long term. It’s so important for buyers to understand exactly what type of septic they’re dealing with early on.”
Additional Septic Tank and System Cost
Replacing other parts of a septic system besides the tank are costs some homeowners may not initially think about, Kinser says.
Here are some of the components that make up the total cost of a septic system installation or add to the cost of replacing a tank:
— Sewer line
— Distribution box
— Field lines
— Drain field or leach field
— Baffle
— Tank pump
— Tank lid
— Risers
— Tank tee
Kinser adds that some locations require mandatory inspections to make sure your septic tank is complying with local health and safety regulations, and the homeowner will likely foot the bill for these as well.
“Another hidden cost can be upgrading outdated systems to meet new regulations,” he says. “For instance, newer requirements might mandate advanced treatment units to reduce nitrogen output, adding significant expense to an initially simpler system.”
This table offers a quick way to see some of the factors you need to think about when it comes to the cost of a septic system.
| Cost Factors | Things To Consider |
| The type of septic tank affects your cost. | Will your septic tank be made of concrete? Plastic? Fiberglass? Price them all and go with the best fit. |
| The soil around your septic tank can greatly affect the cost. | Aerobic septic systems, also called aerobic treatment units, are often required in small lots or for homes near water. These can run up to $20,000. |
| Preconstruction fees may be necessary. | You may have testing fees, site design and engineering fees or permits and government inspection fees. That can add up to several thousand dollars. |
| Don’t forget about the drain field (also sometimes called a leach field). | The drain field — where the pipes leading from the septic system are laid — is often the biggest expense of a septic system. |
| Keep your landscaping in mind. | A septic system may impact how your yard looks, and that can add to your cost, too, including tree removal or reseeding. |
| Remember the cost of maintenance. | Every few years, you’ll be servicing your tank, which can cost several hundred dollars. |
Septic System Maintenance Costs
With , a septic system can last as long as 40 years, and some concrete septic tanks may last 100 years. But for that to happen, you can’t ignore your septic tank.
The U.S. EPA estimates it costs between $250 and $500 to service a septic tank, which should be done every few years.
Sometimes repairs are needed because the homeowner has been careless. Sogbor says that in his experience, the most common reason for septic tank backup is “due to flushing items like wet wipes and feminine products. While some shrug off not flushing those items, it really is a rule that should be followed to a T.”
Some wet wipe manufacturers market them as flushable and safe for septic tanks and septic systems, but it’s safest to avoid flushing these types of items.
You will occasionally need your septic tank pumped, in addition to other maintenance, and the frequency depends on the size of your tank, but it typically should be done every three to five years. The cost of septic tank pumping is $427 on average, according to Angi, but it can cost between $250 and $1,250 or even more depending on how large your tank is and your geographic location.
To help pay for this cost, consider purchasing a add-on policy for . Some policies also cover normal wear and tear of septic system components.
How Long Does It Take to Install a Septic Tank?
The amount of time it takes to install a septic tank varies based on the weather, type of soil and other factors. Heavy rains saturating the soil will delay installation, and rocky ground can also slow the process.
Where you install that septic tank really matters, and if you’re buying a home with a septic tank, you’ll want to do your homework to make sure it’s not going to create issues for you later, Bramlett says.
“Location is hugely important,” says Bramlett. “A lot of buyers don’t realize how much the surrounding soil composition and drainage can impact things. That’s why I recommend potential buyers schedule a soil percolation test during their inspection period.”
A soil percolation test, Bramlett says, will provide crucial information about whether the soil can adequately support a septic system, or if expensive upgrades like adding additional drain field lines or a sand filter may be necessary.
“These types of fixes can cost tens of thousands and are definitely something buyers need to find out about before officially purchasing [a property],” Bramlett says.
What to Consider Before Buying a House With a Septic Tank
You shouldn’t be scared of buying a house with a septic system. Wary, perhaps, but not scared. They are, in fact, fairly common, with more than one in five homes having a septic system, according to the .
But you do want to learn about them before you buy a house with a septic system, and one good way to do that is to have yours inspected. You may have to separate this from your actual home inspection.
“A septic inspection is not typically included in an overall house inspection,” says , an attorney and real estate agent with Douglas Elliman in New Canaan, Connecticut.
She suggests reaching out to a septic tank cleaning company and scheduling an inspection before buying the house. You’ll also want the drain field, also called the septic field, inspected.
“Septic fields are the area where the waste drains to. This usually occurs on large properties. Over time, septic fields may become less efficient or too saturated, thereby requiring a second field to be approved by the local town.”
While you’re at it, take a look at your trees and where they are in relation to your septic tank. Tree roots can damage a septic tank, says , founder and CEO of Seadmok Water Construction, a utility contracting service in Ellicott City, Maryland.
“Even if the tree is not directly above the septic tank, they’re attracted to moisture and the waste nutrients,” Sogbor says. “If these roots get into the pipe system or the tank, the homeowner can find themselves with a large repair or even replacement bill on their hands.”
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Installing a Septic Tank
Before you contact a septic system installer, check with your local governing body, such as the city or county, to see what is required to obtain a permit for the installation.
In many places, the local planning board or board of health will have a list of licensed engineers to choose from to design a septic system. The engineer’s plans — which take into account the water table, underground water lines, wells and required setbacks from neighbors’ property lines — will then go before the local governing board for approval.
Once any plans are approved, you can take the plans to different septic installers for pricing and guidance.
The total cost of your septic system installation varies based on factors like your house, the , nearest flood plain, soil and preferred tank material. To find out the true cost of your installation, you’ll need to get an estimate. A septic installation professional will likely want to visit your property, take measurements and examine any issues if you’re looking to replace any part of your current septic system.
Reach out to multiple local septic installation or replacement companies to get a few estimates based on the details of your home. While multiple professional visits for estimates may seem like a lot, the knowledge you gain from each conversation can help you decide which company offers the best materials and timeline for you — not just which company offers the lowest price.
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Update 06/23/26: This story was published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.
