Septic tank service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Sewer systems in Indianapolis are older, so sewer line replacements are common.
If you have old cast-iron pipes, switch to PVC or ABS, which can better handle Indiana’s soil conditions and weather.
You’ll need to hire a licensed contractor to take on this major project.
Homes with septic tanks impacted by the Citizen Energy Group’s STEP program are required to connect to the public sewers.
Many sewer lines in and around Indianapolis, Indiana, were installed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. With age comes a whole host of issues like root intrusion, corrosion, leaks, and sewage backups—eventually, all plumbing needs an update. If you’re dealing with this issue, the cost to install a sewer line in Indianapolis is $3,956 on average, with most homeowners spending between $1,703 and $6,342.
A significant portion of Indianapolis, Indiana, uses a combined sewer system that processes stormwater and wastewater. Coupled with the aging infrastructure, this can lead to issues like sewage backups when it rains. The city has been working to upgrade the public sewer system, but an old sewer line in your home could also be an issue.
Sewer line replacement costs depend on several factors, such as the type of pipes, size of the job, and land prep.
The average cost to install a sewer line in Indianapolis ranges from $50 to $65 per linear foot, but it’s not uncommon for costs to rise to $250 per square foot if the installation is complex. Sewer line pipes are about 5 inches in diameter and run underneath your yard from your house to the main sewer drain.
| Installation Size (Linear Feet) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 | $500–$650 |
| 20 | $1,000–$1,300 |
| 40 | $2,000–$3,000 |
| 60 | $3,000–$3,900 |
| 80 | $4,000–$5,200 |
| 100 | $5,000–$6,500 |
To install a sewer line, you’ll need to purchase the pipes that connect the main sewer drain to your home. New pipes cost about $3 to $20 per linear foot, but you could spend more if you buy a specialized sewer pipe. In addition to the linear footage, factor in the type of piping material to get a closer estimate of your costs.
Many homes built before the 1980s in Indiana have cast-iron sewer pipes. Indiana’s soil's chemical composition, along with the freeze-thaw cycle in the winter and humidity in the summer, can corrode these pipes more quickly. While you can replace damaged sections of pipe, your sewer pro may recommend replacing the whole line with PVC or ABS, which are used more in modern construction.
| Type of Pipe | Cost per Linear Foot (Material Only) | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVC | $3–$10 | Affordable material and installation, resistant to corrosion and tree root intrusion | Can become brittle and freeze in cold temperatures, not as strong as metal piping |
| ABS | $5–$11 | Performs well in freezing temperatures, affordable, resistant to tree root intrusion | Contains BPA that can leech into water, noisier than PVC pipe |
| Cast-iron | $20–$75 | High strength, durability, and sound insulation | Prone to premature corrosion, costly repairs |
| Clay | $50–$60 | Resists chemical degradation, eco-friendly, durable | Vulnerable to tree roots, heavy and hard to install, prone to cracks, high cost |
Land prep is one of the biggest factors that determine the cost of your sewer line installation. If you’re replacing your sewer line, you may want to opt for a trenchless installation, which helps you save on excavation and demolition costs. Excavation can be particularly tricky with Indianapolis’ high water table, which increases costs. Land prep costs are as follows:
Trenching: $4–$12 per linear foot
Old pipe removal (replacement only): $250
Boulder removal cost: $650–$1,200 per boulder
Tree removal cost: $100–$600 per tree
Pavement removal cost: $8–$15 per square foot
Since your sewer line installation will connect to a public utility, there are stringent regulations on who can perform the work and how. In Indianapolis, you’ll need to hire a licensed contractor. Here are what labor costs look like.
A permit for a sewer connection costs about $250. If you’re swapping from a septic system or installing a sewer line in new construction, you’ll need to pay a $2,530 connection fee. When the job is done, you’ll need to pass an inspection.
Most sewer line repair pros in Indianapolis charge $60 to $80 per hour for their labor. They must be listed, insured, and bonded with the City of Indianapolis before taking on this kind of job.
A sewer line doesn’t have an impact on your home value as long as it’s working and in good condition. The only exception is if you live in an area that’s part of the Citizen Energy Group’s Septic Tank Elimination Program (STEP). This program requires homeowners with septic systems to connect to the public sewer, which comes at a cost that potential buyers may not want to shoulder.
Additionally, if you have an older sewer line that’s causing problems, you may not be able to command the full value of your home while it needs a potentially costly repair. In this case, call a pro and make sure your plumbing is good to go. Your issue could be as simple as cleaning the line, or you might need to invest $1,400 to $3,500 for the cost of installing a sewer cleanout. Depending on the condition of your system, your pro could recommend a full replacement.
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Terry did a great job ... and it was difficult and in very close quarters. I asked for and was given several different warranty options so I could decide what would work best for me financially. I chose the full package with a 12 yr tank & parts warranty, along with the service plan. Terry...
Service Plus Heating Cooling PlumbingThey were delayed because a prior job took longer than they thought. When they got here, they were fast and efficient. He took me downstairs and explained why my tank needed to be replaced. He then went above and beyond by installing two new, more efficient lines from the well to the tank....
They said to expect my sewer scope report the same day and I didn't receive until the following week, despite notifying them that I needed it asap to use as proof of a septic in the process of buying a new home.
Pristine PlumbingMatt and his team were great. I needed to excavate an Underground oil tank, about 300 gallons in size and roughly 7 feet underground. The tank was up a steep hill, inside a courtyard fence and under a paver patio. Matt quoted quickly and was very responsive to all questions. The work was...
Wharff Excavating LLCGreat! They did an excellent job getting the old water heater disconnected and the new one installed where we wanted it. It saved a TON of floor space in our basement and gets rid of my fear that the tanked version was about to fail. There was a small installation error that we noticed the...
Hope Plumbing, Heating, and CoolingThe provider just replaced the flapper. He flushed the toliet a couple of times and told me to use CLR in the tank. He said the neighborhood water pressure mght not be sufficient to allow the toliet to flush correctly. THEN HE LEFT.
Efficient Systems-Heat|Cool|Electrical|PlumbingThis project went fine. Scheduling was easy. The owner was quick to respond. Removal was tricky. There was more oil in the tank than expected, but they had enough buckets to collect it all. I appreciate that they hauled the oil away. They did struggle to get the tank apart and get it out of...
Fred & Sons' Hauling, Lawncare & Tree RemovalLate on the afternoon of Monday, May 11, I discovered a leaking fuel oil tank in my basement. I called Capital Environmental Services and within an hour someone was here to check on the stability/control of the leak. The crew to remove the tank arrived first thing the next morning to drain...
Capital Environmental Enterprises IncPowers Septic came out the same day I called, scraped out as many overgrown roots as they could reach in the tank, and then pumped the tank. Total service time was under an hour! Great communication about the shape of my system. They were willing to pump a tank that a competitor wasn't! <br...
Knox Septic came out quickly after request to locate and pump my septic system. They found a lid that actually had grass grown over it - another company couldn't find it! They provided a free estimate to replace my system after politely declining to pump the system. I respected this decision,...
Knox Septic Sewer ServiceFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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