Septic tank service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Tampa’s high water table, heavy rainfall, and sandy soil can make septic system installation more challenging than in other areas.
Septic tanks have to adhere to guidelines dedicated to protecting Florida’s waterways.
Hillsborough County promotes central sewer connections over septic tanks.
While many homes in Tampa, Florida, rely on the public sewer system to dispose of household waste, other homes in the surrounding areas have septic systems. The cost to install a septic system in Tampa falls between $1,550 and $6,508, but the average is $3,838. Whether you’re installing a new system or replacing an existing one, the cost will depend on the tank size, material, system type, and labor costs.
Your overall budget for a septic system in Tampa, Florida, largely depends on the size of the tank, the type of system, and the materials that you’ll need for your home. Site preparation will also factor into the total project cost.
The septic tank size you need will depend on the number of bedrooms your home has. For a three- or four-bedroom home, you’d need a septic tank with a capacity of 750 to 1,200 gallons, which costs $5,000 to $8,000.
Larger houses have more sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and other wastewater sources that flow into the septic tank. As tank size increases, so do costs.
| Household Size (Bedrooms) | Tank Capacity (Gallons) | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | 500–750 | $3,000–$5,000 |
| 2–6 | 750–1,200 | $5,000–$8,000 |
| 7+ | 1,200+ | $8,000–$10,000 |
Septic tanks are commonly made of plastic, concrete, or fiberglass, with fiberglass being the most expensive. Here’s how much a tank costs based on each material.
| Septic Tank Material | Average Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic | $2,200–$3,200 | Lightweight, easy to install, and less expensive than fiberglass | Less durability and is prone to cracking under the pressure of the soil |
| Concrete | $1,800–$2,400 | Highly durable and the most common type | Prone to cracking and labor-intensive |
| Fiberglass | $3,200–$4,100 | Nonporous to protect against algae growth, lightweight, and easy to install | Higher cost and can crack during installation |
Each type of septic system comes with its own set of pros and cons. While anaerobic systems are relatively low-maintenance, they aren’t great for small properties. Similarly, anaerobic systems can do well in small spaces but require extra work.
| Anaerobic | Aerobic |
|---|---|
| Anaerobic bacteria break down waste | Aerobic bacteria break down waste |
| More affordable | More expensive |
| Uses fewer chemicals | More efficient |
| Needs a larger leach field | Good for smaller properties |
Anaerobic: Anaerobic systems are more common and cost $3,000–$8,000. They’re less costly than aerobic systems and don’t need extra power or chemicals, but they’re less efficient and require a larger leach field. A pipe runs from the house to the septic tank, where another pipe runs into the leach field. Anaerobic bacteria break down solid waste before the system distributes the wastewater into the soil.
Aerobic: Aerobic septic systems utilize oxygen pumped into the tank to activate bacteria that feed on the solid waste. They’re more expensive at $10,000–$20,000 but are more efficient and work well on smaller properties. They require additional power to run, so hook yours up to a power generator in case of a power outage. Otherwise, these systems can plug into your property’s main power source.
Before installing a septic system in Tampa, you’ll need to conduct a land survey and a percolation test. Another aspect of site prep to account for is the leach field installation. All of these factors significantly add to the costs of this project.
Land Survey: You’ll need to get a land survey before installing a septic system to ensure your plans fall within property lines. Expect to spend $330–$900 to hire a licensed land surveyor.
Percolation Test: Before the installation, you need a local perc test pro to perform a percolation test. The test measures water drainage in the soil, soil type, and the height of each sediment layer on your property to determine the best type of septic system for you. The cost to test your soil is $700–$2,000.
Leach Field Installation: Septic tank systems consist of a septic tank and a trench referred to as a leach field or drain field. This section of the system transports the wastewater back to the soil. Drain field installation costs $5,000–$12,000.
Labor costs and permit fees account for a substantial portion of the total cost to have a septic tank pro in Tampa, Florida, install a septic system.
Tampa has a high water table and sandy soil, making septic tank installation challenging. Labor costs to install a septic system can make up 30% to 40% of the total installation. In Tampa, labor costs fall between $1,500 and $3,000, in addition to the materials and permitting costs.
Florida septic systems must adhere to all state and local regulations. Because Tampa experiences heavy rainfall and has a high water table, proper septic system installation is essential for protecting the environment. Permits will cost between $200 and $500 and include the New Construction Permit Application Package or the Existing/Modification Application Package, depending on the project.
A septic system in Tampa doesn’t necessarily increase a home’s value. However, if the system is in disrepair or needs to be pumped, prospective homeowners will likely factor in those costs when making an offer, which could ultimately lower the value.
Hillsborough County, where Tampa is located, promotes converting septic systems to sewers to increase the health of Tampa Bay. The Septic-to-Sewer (S2S) and Low-Pressure Sewer System (LPSS) Conversion program seeks to connect homes to a central sewer service, and they cite the higher market value of homes with central sewer connections over septic systems as one of the benefits to homeowners.
If you choose to keep a septic system, your local septic tank professional can walk you through how to maintain it.
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I just had a tank 30 gal water heater install with this company. I am 83 years old and have been totally ripped off First of all they trick you into getting their membership for $99 or else they'll charge is $220 which would be added to the bill, My total came to $2351.00. ...
The Clean Plumbers, LLCTo give everyone reference. A reputable septic company charges roughly $3000-3750 for 250-300 ft of new leech / drain field. They came out, to my knowledge never did a camera scope, charged me $2900 for jet cleaning and a pump out then failed to provide photos of my leech field lines or out...
All In One SepticGreat experience overall. I've used this Company for 2 projects at my house (ac leak and suspected gas leak), my father's home (hot water tank replacement and multi level thermostat adjustment) and referred this Company to 2 friends that both gave glowing reviews. The Company is very...
Jah Bless HVAC/R, Inc.These guys did an excellent job installing my tankless water heater. They replaced a broken tank heater that was inside a closet with minimal impact on an the wall.
EVERYDAYPLUMBER.com, LLCThe first thing that happened was that I had icicles off my house because the valve was defective that they installed and it was running water out of it. When it froze that night, it created monster icicles. The solar was messed up and it's not been saving me any money and they won't come...
Benjamin Franklin PlumbingWent great. My tenant was there for the whole job because I live a good distance away. They were very informative and did an excellent job cleaning the septic. They sent me an invoice within days. I requested to speak to the technician who cleaned the tank and he called me immediately...
Tampa Bay Plumbers LLCLook like he is pumper 5 times more than size of septic tank and sure we were overpriced. He wanted $750 for one load and said he need 3 loads, so we paid him $2100 ( the best price what he can give to us ) and his estimated was $5400 to repair it. This is why we start looking for other...
David was very honest. He said my water softener was working fine. He filled the tank with salt and added a chemical to keep it working great.
I placed a service call for a toilet that wouldn't stop running. Not only did they get there super fast but they were really informative and made fixing the toilet look so easy! I thought it had something to do with the chain inside of the tank but they adjusted the water level and put in a...
Total Plumbing Solutions IncBrent arrived within 20 mins. of a call from the office. Our biggest concern was that our hot water heater had never been flushed in 8 1/2 yrs. Brent said the water was clear & hardly any sediment. He did show me the anode rod which was quite deteriorated so we agreed to have that replaced....
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort MyersFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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