How Much Does a Perc Test Cost? [2025 Data]

A perc test costs around $1,300 on average, and most tests cost somewhere between $750 and $1,900. You could pay as little as $300 for a single hand-dug hole perc test or as much as $3,000 for machine-dug holes on a large, 1-acre property. Your cost can also vary based on the purpose of the test, property accessibility, and more.

Perc Test Cost Factors

Perc test costs can fall anywhere between $300 and $3,000, depending on a few key factors.

Property Size

The size of your property will often be the biggest cost factor when it comes time to do a perc test. Testing often involves taking data from multiple points across your property to see how the land drains as a whole, and each additional testing site you need will add to your total.

Most municipalities have regulations that dictate the maximum distance apart the holes for testing must be, which means larger properties require more holes. The more holes you need, the more you’ll pay for the labor to dig and test. You can expect to pay around $150 per hole you need dug.

Purpose of the Test

The reason you’re scheduling a perc test may also dictate the number of holes you need and how far apart they must sit on your property, which means it will also have a direct effect on the price you’ll pay.

You may need a perc test for new construction if you’re planning on adding a septic system, if you need to replace or make changes to your existing septic system, or if you want to install a drainage system, like a French drain. Tests related to septic system installation or expansions will often be more expensive, as problems with percolation in a septic drain field lead to sewage backup, which is a health hazard.

Type of Perc Test

There are two main types of perc tests: those using shallow, hand-dug holes and those that require deeper holes dug by an excavator. The type of holes will, once again, depend on the purpose of your test and local regulations for testing percolation rates on your land. If your test calls for larger holes that require the use of an excavator, you’ll pay more per hole. In most cases, deeper, wider holes will require an excavator.

Accessibility

The accessibility of your property will also play a role in your pricing, especially if you need an excavator to maneuver onto your property to dig the holes. Homes in remote areas can drive up the costs, as can properties with excessive tree coverage or generally limited access for heavy machinery.

You’ll likely see prices climbing to around $3,000 if your perc test requires larger, deeper holes, but an excavator can’t maneuver onto your property. In that case, your money will go toward manual labor instead of equipment rental fees.

Location

Where you live also has an effect on perc test costs, as each municipality makes its own regulations for how many holes are necessary, as well as the depth of the holes. You can speak with your local building department or health department to discuss what’s necessary in your area for the type of perc test you need.

Why You Should Hire a Soil Testing Pro

Hiring a local soil testing service is mandatory to comply with legal requirements for projects such as constructing or modifying a septic system, installing a drainage system, or regrading your land. Most areas require a licensed professional and an on-site inspector, so hiring a soil testing expert ensures you’re able to progress your plans without legal red tape.

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a soil testing pro

Since formal perc tests affect major projects like septic systems and land grading, here’s why it’s necessary to hire a professional soil testing service:

• Pros know how many holes you need, how far apart they need to be, and how deep they should be.

• Professional soil testers can maneuver around site challenges, such as dense tree coverage or limited access for machinery.

• Hiring a qualified soil testing pro helps ensure your results are properly documented and usable for all permits and future constructions.

If you want to DIY a perc test

While you’ll need to enlist professional soil testing services if you’re taking on a major project, there are a few smaller-scale projects that you can DIY:

• Use a DIY soil test kit to determine soil quality before planting a garden or landscape.

• Use your soil test results to find out the optimal soil amendments necessary for your plants to thrive.

• Limit your DIY testing to the specific portion of the property you’re curious about, rather than the entire lot.

Cost of Common Perc Test Add-Ons

A perc test is often the first step in a much larger landscaping project, so you should consider budgeting for the following alongside your perc test costs. Perc tests are good for two to five years, depending on local regulations, so saving for the test and the post-testing projects is a good idea.

• Cost to install a septic system: $3,600–$12,400

• Cost to replace a septic system: $5,000–$12,000

• Cost to install a French drain: $500–$18,000

• Cost to grade land: $1,000–$3,300

How to Save Money On a Perc Test

Perc test costs can go up to around $3,000, and unfortunately, there are only a handful of things you can do to save on the total.

• Choose the minimum number of holes necessary: Your local building department or health department will likely have requirements for the number of holes you need. You’ll pay an additional $150 per additional hole, on average, so make sure you’re only testing the required number of holes.

• Test only the soil you need to test: For some projects, it may not be necessary to test percolation across your entire property, especially if you have a larger plot. Speak with local authorities to determine the smallest portion of your land you’d have to test for building approval.

• Get multiple quotes: Your local municipality will often have its own fees for perc tests that aren’t negotiable, but you can always get quotes from multiple soil testing professionals to see which is the most affordable. Just be sure all contractors you’re getting quotes from understand exactly how many holes you need and what size and depth they need to be.

• Make sure you need a perc test: Perc tests are more expensive than many other tests, so make sure you need a perc test and not a soil test. Perc tests are required by law for changes to septic systems and, in many cases, land grading and drainage system installation. If you’re looking for soil data for grass and garden health or to check for contamination, it might be time for a soil test instead.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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