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CostHelper.com > Home & Garden  > Septic System

Septic System Cost

How Much Does a Septic System Cost?

low costMedium: Averages $2,000-$5,000; Runs $4,000-$12,000 in Higher Cost Areas
low cost Enhanced System: $10,000-$20,000+

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Septic Tank Cleaning

Sewer Line Replacement

Replacing Copper Pipes

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For homes that aren't connected to a municipal sewer plant, a septic is an on-site system that collects, treats and disposes of household wastewater by slowly filtering it through underground soil. Typically there are two main parts, a septic tank and a soil absorption system (also called a drainfield, leachfield or disposal field). These are located underground and connected to the house by sewage pipes.
 
Typical costs:
  • Installing/replacing a conventional septic system (including the tank) averages $2,000 -$5,000 in the Midwest, but can be $4,000 -$12,000 or more in areas where materials and labor rates are higher.
  • Enhanced, engineered or alternative septic systems that use mounds, sand/peat filters, aerobic systems and/or constructed wetlands can cost $10,000 -$20,000 or more, according to the Rhode Island Regional Water Quality Program.
  • These alternative septic systems work better than the conventional approach for sites with high groundwater or slowly/rapidly percolating soil, or near drinking water supplies, wetlands, coastal ponds or other water resources.
  • The cost of a septic tank alone runs about $500 -$1,800 depending on size (ranging from 300-1,000 gallons) and type. Piping and other needed items adds another $100 -$200 to the total cost of materials.
  • WaterTanks.com illustrates basic tank installation procedures. However, many regions require a septic system to be designed and installed by trained and licensed professionals; contact your local or state sanitation department for details.
What should be included:
  • Septic systems are used when sewage treatment plants are not accessible, which usually means rural or suburban homes on large lots. The septic tanks itself is a large, underground, watertight container made of concrete, fiberglass or plastic (polyethylene).
  • The North Carolina State University Ag Extension explains how septic systems work and where they can be used.
  • It can take several days to a week or more to install/replace a septic system. The process involves extensive digging, often with heavy earth-moving equipment.
Additional costs:
  • Most counties and states require a building permit for installing or replacing a septic system, at a cost of $250 -$1,000 or more depending on the location and the complexity of the project. Check with your local building/planning department for details.
  • Installing a septic system usually involves extensive digging and damage to the landscaping; replacement turf and other plantings can run $100 -$1,000 or more.
Discounts:
  • In a cluster septic system, each house has its own underground septic tank but they all feed into one drainfield/leachfield/soil absorption system. Typically installed by developers, a cluster septic system splits the cost of the drainfield installation and maintenance among many houses.
Shopping for a septic system:
Article updated July 2008
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Repair
Amount: $7.70
Posted by: Gail1 in Pennington, NJ.Posted: February 11th, 2010 05:02AM
Type: Tank
We had slow drainage. The company came out on a Thursday and tried to clear the clog. Afterwards, didn\'t hear the proper flow into the tank. Friday, brought camera and said pipes were old and damaged by roots, etc. Brought in small backhoe. Dug up pipe to tank, jackhammered a 12 foot section of our bedroom leading to bathroom, replaced pipe for use. (Sat. and Sun. off) Monday, came to fill trench with some gravel and filled dirt back into trench. Put some gravel in small section in our bedroom, poured concrete at connecting point. My husband poured the finishing concrete in our bedroom. This seems excessive in price to me. They said our drain field may need some attention (leading from tank, but that\'s not their job).
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Septic Mound System
Amount: $22,892.00
Posted by: bobswife in Egg Harbor Twp, NJ.Posted: July 30th, 2010 05:07AM
Type: Mound System
Extreme flooding forced new system after old leach system failed. Installed new 44.5 by 18.5, 12.5 deep, engineered designed mound system, added additional 1000 gallon tank with pump to mound system. Installed automatic tank alarm. Approx 12 trees were removed in process.
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Septic system with lift pump and leach field
Amount: $12,000.00
Posted by: Will Marcinko in McHenry, IL.Posted: August 30th, 2011 09:08AM
Engineering survey, ground feasability survey plus permits. We had a 1000 gallon septic tank, 750 gallon lift tank, 233 feet of trench line, 240 feet of leach pipe and a Hydromatic SW33M1 effluent pump installed. He also reseeded and landscaped the damages done by the excavating.

My question is, "Did we spend too much?"
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