Cost to Install a Septic System in Tampa [2025 Data]

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.

Septic System Installation Cost Factors 

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.  

Tank Size

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.

Materials

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.

Type of Septic System

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: 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.

Site Prep

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.

Septic System Installation Pro Costs

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. 

Labor 

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. 

Permits

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.

Does a Septic System Increase Home Value?

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. 

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 survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from 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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