Cost Of A Septic Tank

Numerous factors, such as the size of the home, the permeability of the soil, and the desired waste breakdown mechanism, affect septic tank expenses. Installation fees for these practical waste management systems typically range from $3,109 to $9,677. However, the national average is $6,361.

Although there are benefits to living in a rural region, there are some drawbacks as well that require a little more thought, such as how to manage waste treatment. In general, homes in rural and some suburban areas are not connected to the municipal sewer systems used in densely populated areas. Septic tanks are a reasonable substitute for sewer pipes because extending them to a new development site might be expensive. These beneficial, yet frequently misunderstood, systems are installed underground to treat waste and wastewater by separating organic debris and enabling the liquids to naturally reenter the ground.

Homeowners should take a number of factors into account when estimating the cost of a septic tank, including the size of the house, the rate of waste flow, the type of septic tank, and more. The minimum size of septic tanks is regulated in some states, and each state has its own requirements for permits, inspections, and installation costs. More information about these and other factors is provided below.

Septic Tank Cost Variables

The size of the house and the type of soil are two factors that affect septic tank expenses. These prices differ regionally as well because different states have different requirements for licenses, soil composition, and material costs. The highest cost to establish a septic tank system is $18,650, while the national average for doing so is $6,361. The primary variables that can impact septic tank installation are listed below so you can better understand how to respond to the inquiry, How much does a septic tank cost?

Size Of The Home

The size of the house is important when deciding what size septic tank to buy since it must be able to handle the volume of waste and water generated. A 1,000 gallon tank, which costs on average $600 to $1,000, would be required for a three-bedroom house.

Gallon Size Of The Tank

For homes with one or two bedrooms, standard septic tanks begin at 750 gallons. Some buildings with more than 15 residents can benefit from a 3,000-gallon tank, which would cost between $2,900 and $3,900.

Aerobic vs Anaerobic

Anaerobic systems can be erected for $2,000 to $5,000 less than traditional septic tanks. To naturally decompose trash in the tank, they rely on microorganisms that dislike oxygen. Since aerobic systems use an air pump to aerate the tank and allow oxygen-loving microorganisms to break down the waste, the installation cost of an aerobic system can range from $10,000 to $20,000.

Pressure Distribution Septic System

Homeowners could choose to install a pressure distribution septic system within 2 feet of the water table for an average cost of $7,000 to $10,000. Pumps are used to move the effluent liquid more quickly into the drain field for processing before it gets to the water table.

Mound Septic System

When a ground inspection reveals that the soil is not well suited for a septic tank drain field, homeowners can install perforated drain tiles and a thin biofilm that help provide a suitable environment to naturally purify wastewater before it reaches the water table below. Building this space below the septic tank can result in a mounded appearance and can cost $15,000 to install on average.

Sand Filter Septic System

The liquid or effluent material is pushed to the filtration system, which is made up of a box filled with pipes packed with sand, using a pump in a sand filter septic system. Before the effluent reaches the water table below, it is naturally filtered through the sand. Installing one of these septic tanks typically runs between $6,000 and $10,000.

Added Costs and Concerns

There are a number of upfront expenses and factors to think about with the installation of any septic tank system. A lot of things need to be done, including getting permits and testing the soil and preparing the area. A septic tank might occasionally need to be removed, which would add to the expense. Even though these duties could seem difficult, they are simple to do with the assistance of knowledgeable experts.

Land Prep

Once the ideal place has been identified, homeowners may either handle the landscape preparation themselves or hire a septic tank installation business. Although the average cost of landscape preparation can be between $1,200 and $4,500, this expense is sometimes factored into the price of installation at a reduced rate.

Inspections & Permits

Once the soil has been examined and the proper system has been selected, local licenses may be obtained. Local city and health departments, who examine the soil and designs, determine the cost of permits. A building permit, which may be needed for larger construction projects and can cost between $400 and $2,500, may be necessary. (Septic tank permits may cost less in other areas.)

Soil Tests

Prior to building a septic tank, homeowners must get a percolation test to ensure that the ground can support the system and adhere to local health department regulations. To examine the sediment layers and the soil's permeability, engineers drill a hole. To finish, it will cost between $1,000 and $2,000 in total.

Cost of Labor

The labor costs to hire a qualified business to build a septic tank system typically run from $1,500 to $4,000. This covers the staff, supplies, and insurance the business carries. An average hourly wage would be $160.

Drainfield Area

Leach fields for septic systems are essential components that must be constructed correctly to prevent issues in the future. This frequently entails installing the house's plumbing as well. The size, soil composition, and necessity of creating a unique drainage system all affect the cost of installing the leach field. Costs range from $2,000 to $10,000 on average.

Removal

If a septic tank needs to be entirely removed or replaced, more time and effort will be needed to finish the operation safely. The tank needs to be removed, dug up, emptied, and disposed of correctly and safely. A septic tank will typically cost between $250 and $600 to pump out, and an extra $5,500 to remove and dump the tank.

Septic Tank Types

Only a small number of materials have been allowed for septic tank designs, and each one has advantages and disadvantages. Regardless of the material selected, properly maintaining a septic tank can extend the life of the system. Concrete, fiberglass or plastic, and steel are used to construct the majority of septic tanks.

Stainless Steel

Although stainless steel is a resilient material with various applications, stainless steel septic tanks are the least popular kind since they are prone to breakdown before their anticipated 20-year lifespan. A steel septic tank has many opportunities to corrode or rust because it is buried in the ground and exposed to corrosive substances. The safety of the tank will probably need to be checked before the sale of older homes that are for sale.

Concrete

The most prevalent and long-lasting tanks, with a lifespan of 20 years on average, are made of concrete. Regular inspections are crucial because they might start to break with time, allowing groundwater and liquid waste to leak out and into the tank. A concrete septic tank typically costs between $2,350 and $6,750.

FIberglass

Septic tanks made of fiberglass are a great substitute because they are impervious to rust, corrosion, and algae growth. They also don't grow or shrink. Despite being heavier than plastic tanks, fiberglass tanks are nonetheless susceptible to shifting due to shifting ground or water tables. These septic tanks are between $1,600 and $2,000 in price.

Plastic

Plastic septic tanks are a more affordable alternative to a concrete tank, costing an average of $830 to $1,900. They also withstand cracking and corrosion. Although their reduced weight may make installation easier, if done incorrectly, they could rise through changing earth to the surface or crack under pressure changes.

Septic System Types

Different septic systems have different operating principles. Some have been designed to better fit houses that are situated on hills or have bad drainage. Other soil layers function well and safely enough to provide natural cleansing before reaching the water table. The cost of a septic tank will vary depending on the model that is suitable for your house and location. There are three options to pick from, and knowledgeable experts can help you choose the one that works best for the property.

Alternative

Alternative septic tanks function similarly to a traditional system, utilizing gravity to gather the waste into the tank, but they use a motor or pump to use oxygen to aid in the breakdown of the waste inside the tank. This implies that purer wastewater is forced into the drain fields, which may only need half the area of a typical drain field. An alternate septic system typically costs between $6,000 and $15,000.

Engineered

Homeowners may learn after a soil test is finished that an engineered tank needs to be erected because the earth is either too permeable or not porous enough for a normal septic tank. The liquid effluent from these septic tanks must be pumped against their will into a unique, constructed drain area. The system can be installed adjacent to a sand-filled box that can clean the wastewater before it reaches the water table or on top of a fresh drain field mound. The typical price range for an engineered septic system is between $12,000 and $15,000.

Conventional

The most typical is the traditional septic system, which collects household waste in a tank using gravity. Solid waste will ordinarily sink to the tank's bottom while liquid waste rises to the top. When the tank is full, a pipe near the top of the tank permits the liquid waste to be discharged into the drain field for decomposition. The average cost of a traditional septic system, which ranges from $3,500 to $10,000, is less than that of other types because of its straightforward design.