Is your shower or sink drain blocked? Get tips for how to unclog a drain, and learn about drain cleaning costs in Los Angeles, CA.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Septic Tank in Los Angeles, CA? [2026 Data]
Septic tank service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Get quotes from septic tank pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from septic tank pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Cost Insights
Septic excavation in Los Angeles, CA, can cost $1 to $5 per square foot, making it one of the biggest cost drivers in septic tank replacement projects.
Permits, inspections, and environmental health requirements in LA County add time and hundreds to thousands of dollars to the total project cost.
Larger households or homes with ADUs require larger septic systems, increasing overall material and installation costs.
Hiring a licensed septic contractor in Los Angeles, CA, is essential, as strict regulations and permit requirements make mistakes costly—and often illegal.
Replacing a septic tank in Los Angeles, CA typically costs $6,816, with most homeowners paying between $5,680 and $13,632. It’s not a weekend project. It involves excavation, system design, inspections, and county permits before installation even begins. Costs vary based on your property, especially if you’re dealing with hillside access, older systems, or tight lots.
Septic Tank Cost Factors
In Los Angeles, CA, septic tank pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all. It comes down to your tank, your materials, and the complexity of your yard.
Size
The septic tank size you need depends on the number of bedrooms your home has. For a three- or four-bedroom home, you’d need a 1,000-gallon septic tank, which costs $1,020 to $1,700 for the tank alone.
Larger houses have more sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and other wastewater sources that flow into the septic tank. As tank size increases, so do costs.
| House Size | Tank Size (Gallons) | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 500 | $570–$1,020 |
| 2 bedroom | 750 | $795–$1,360 |
| 3–4 bedrooms | 1,000 | $1,020–$1,700 |
| 5–6 bedrooms | 1,200 | $1,365–$1,820 |
| 6–7 bedrooms | 1,500 | $1,705–$2,840 |
Septic Tank Material
Septic tanks are commonly made of plastic, concrete, or fiberglass, with fiberglass often being the most expensive. Here’s how much a tank costs based on its material.
| Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Plastic | $570–$2,270 |
| Concrete | $800–$2,270 |
| Fiberglass | $1,365–$2,270 |
Pro Tip
Call a pro with any questions you have about your system, even if they're general questions. The more informed you are about your system, the better it will work and the better that pros can help you with it.
Demolition, Prep, and Cleanup
Replacing a septic system often involves excavation and clearing trees or roots. Since excavation can be a messy work, many homeowners add sod over their yards or even regrade their yards at the end of a septic tank replacement for a finished look.
| Prep Work | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Excavation | $1–$5 per square foot |
| Tree/root removal | $230–$2,270 |
| Sod installation | $1–$2 per square foot (including labor) |
| Yard regrading | $1,140–$3,750 |
Septic Tank Pro Costs
Labor makes up a significant portion of septic tank replacement costs. Septic tank contractors in Los Angeles, CA typically charge between $40 and $250 per hour, depending on project complexity, equipment, and crew size. Most jobs are priced as a full project rather than by the hour.
California law requires all septic system work to be completed by a licensed contractor. In Los Angeles, CA, that means hiring someone with a C-42 (Sanitation System), C-36 (Plumbing), or Class A (General Engineering) license, so virtually all projects legally require a pro.
Homeowners also need permits and approvals from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, along with a site evaluation and system design before installation. These tasks are typically handled by the contractor. All of this ensures your project meets the California Plumbing Code and local environmental regulations.
On top of that, expect permit and inspection fees, plus sales tax on materials like the tank and system components. Depending on the system size, this can increase your total cost, along with possible ongoing local fees for onsite wastewater systems.
Does Replacing a Septic Tank Increase Home Value?
Replacing a septic tank generally increases home value, or at the very least, protects it. In Los Angeles, CA, where buyers are already navigating competitive prices and strict inspections, a failing septic system can quickly derail a sale.
A new, compliant system signals that the home is well-maintained and up to code, which can make a big difference in negotiations. While you may not recoup 100% of the cost, you’re removing a major red flag. And in a market like LA, that’s often just as valuable as a direct return on investment (ROI).
How Angi Gets Its Local Cost Data
To help homeowners plan their next project, Angi provides readers with carefully researched cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We start with national average project costs, which we collect by analyzing competitor information, retailer material costs, and input from professional contractors. We then apply local price index data to calculate location-specific estimates that reflect what homeowners typically pay in their local area. To do that, we use data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), including its Regional Price Parities (RPPs), which measure price differences across cities. This helps us account for differences in labor, materials, and overall cost of living, so estimates in higher- or lower-cost areas better reflect real-world local pricing.
Every estimate undergoes a thorough editorial review to verify accuracy, consistency, and alignment with observed market conditions.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Septic tank services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Los Angeles, CA
4.0★ avg. • 6 total reviews
- Jonathan H.
Had to have a water leak detector installed for my home insurance. Kahuna came and quoted me almost half the price of the other guys that showed up. Came the next day and knocked out the project in a few hours. Highly recommend, will be using them for all my plumbing needs.
Kahuna Comfort Plumbing Heating & Air - Joshua F.
They did a great job! I had a exposed gas pipe ( very much an eye sore ) and it was cut back. No more eye sore, they did the job in no time, and no mess. Fantastic work guys!
Plotke Plumbing inc - Fredy C.
Great job with water heater install everything up to code.
The Water Heater Wizard LLC - Terrie S.
I have been using Burris Brothers Plumbing, and heating for years. They have done everything from unclogged drains to fixing faucets to installing a tankless, hot water heater. They are Professional, highly skilled, reasonable and reliable. I refer them to anyone that asks for a great...
Burris Brothers Plumbing & Heating - Christi P.
Great Customer Service . Thanks for plumber service !!
- Charles W.
My plumbing issue’s were solved in a very professional and timely manner.
Austin's Plumbing - Zali.
Very professional they were. I highly recommend them for your drain cleaning sewers. With Camara inspections and locating they fix my problem at the same day. Thank you guys for coming out !!!
Jetter Rooter - Shonda B.
From the moment my husband and I contacted Green and Clean Home Service, we were pleased with the punctuality and thoroughness of the service. David showed us how the ducts looked before and after; what a difference the cleaning made. Would recommend this company to all of my friends and...
Green and Clean Chimney Sweep - Sergio P.
I had an amazing experience with castanedas plumbing ! Jose and chema came by today to fix my clogged toilet. They were very quick to come and very professional. Jose was also very patient in explaining to me different options and solutions to prevent future clogs. I loved how clean they left...
- Diane P.
Greg and his crew were terrific. They were professional, friendly and did an excellent job of dismantling and hauling away two heavy tanks plus other junk from my basement and garage, all for a very reasonable cost. They even swept up the basement, which I was not expecting. I just wish I had...
MMG Homes, Inc.
The homeowners guide to septic tank services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
The cost to move washer and dryer hookups in Los Angeles, CA, varies based on the type of project. We’ve compiled a full price breakdown here.
Whether you're pouring a new driveway or adding a patio to your outdoor space, use this guide to determine the cost to pour a new concrete slab in Los Angeles, CA.
Learn how to test a septic drain field to ensure it’s functioning properly before encountering costly issues.
When comparing leach fields versus drain fields, the two terms are often used interchangeably to describe part of a septic system. Learn more about them.
Your septic drain field design makes a huge difference in the efficiency of your septic system. Learn how to choose the design best suited for your property.