Septic tank service costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Septic system installations in Austin cost about 7% more than the national average, so budget accordingly.
Austin’s water table, winter weather, and soil type are compatible with all three septic tank material types, making the decision-making process easier.
Keeping your septic system in top-notch shape in Austin can help increase your home’s value.
Although many homes in Austin, Texas, are connected to the city’s sewer system, there are plenty that use septic systems—such as those in the perimeter of city limits and newer housing developments. Installing a septic system in Austin comes out to $8,599 on average, although it can range between $4,519 and $12,680. Find out how your home’s size, septic type, and more will affect your project’s costs.
Here are the main cost factors to consider when planning a septic system installation in Austin, Texas.
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 1,000-gallon septic tank, which costs $1,000 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 (Bedrooms) | Tank Size (Gallons) | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 500 | $600–$1,000 |
| 2 | 750 | $750–$1,300 |
| 3–4 | 1,000 | $1,000–$1,700 |
| 5–6 | 1,200 | $1,300–$1,800 |
| 6–7 | 1,500 | $1,700–$2,700 |
Septic tanks are commonly made of plastic, concrete, or fiberglass, with fiberglass being the most expensive. In Austin, where the water table isn’t high in most areas, you don’t have to worry about plastic or fiberglass tanks floating. The soil is also alkaline, reducing the risk of corrosion.
The winters aren’t harsh either, so you can install concrete tanks without worrying about cracks during freeze-thaw cycles. Here’s how much a tank costs based on each material.
| Septic Tank Material | Average Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic | $600–$2,200 | Lightweight and easier to install | Can crack under heavy weight |
| Concrete | $750–$2,200 | Long-lasting and highly durable | Difficult installation due to the weight |
| Fiberglass | $1,300–$2,200 | Low-maintenance | Most expensive |
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.
When prepping your land for a septic system installation, there are specific steps to follow. Site prep includes:
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.
Keep these pro costs in mind when hiring a septic tank installer in Austin, Texas.
Labor for a septic system installation is 50% to 70% of the total project cost. It’s well worth it to pay a professional to do the job, because the process is lengthy and complex. By handing this off to a qualified septic installer, you know that everything will be done to code.
Permits are required for septic system installations in Austin. A new septic permit costs about $700 and requires a site evaluation, a site plan drawing, sizing and design calculations, and more. In most cases, your septic installer will take care of the process for you. Although they may request your help with securing a few documents, such as the proof of property ownership.
A septic system in excellent shape can increase your home’s value because future homebuyers have the peace of mind that they won’t have issues with their wastewater system. However, if your septic system is in poor condition and hasn’t been maintained regularly, it can lower your home’s value. For example, septic tank repair costs $1,830 on average, which a homebuyer has to keep in mind if they’re looking at a property with a septic system that isn’t up to par.
Pumping your septic tank every three to five years is one of the most important septic maintenance tasks. When you combine that with flushing only approved items (toilet paper and waste) and avoiding driving over your drain field, you have a recipe for a long-lasting septic system.
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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I wanted to report a very disturbing interaction with this company who empties the porta-potties in our neighborhood lake park. Today I watched from my porch, the driver of the truck barrel down a blind turn, ignore a stop sign, and hit at least 10 miles over the speed limit in my...
Aaron with Mudcow did A great job and was very informative and friendly. He replaced the ball valve on my septic septic system and brought the system up to code in several areas. Great job!
Mudcow Septic Inc.Victor & Fabian helped us locate our septic tank. They succeeded where others had failed. They were kind, personable, and actively tried to help us save money. They will be the first people i call for any future plumbing issue.
L & P Plumbing, LLCJuly 2018 - Aloha Septic was highly recommended so I called them to do the work. They were prompt, professional and polite. Very knowledgable and explained things so I could understand. It was a very hot day in Dripping Springs, TX and they worked Like it was a nice cool fall day in Michigan....
Aloha SepticThe job went excellently from my view. He gave me price & of course, I almost had a heart attack. (The replaced disposal cost $59 (log ago.) But the final price was discounted by Joey (he had a coupon) So I felt like I had gotten the greatest deal, plus the job was done efficiently. Very...
Excalibur PlumbingWe bought a house earlier in the year built in 1993 that came with a Kenmore single tank water softener. I suspected it wasn't working because the digital display always showed 0 (zero) average gallons. I called other water conditioning companies and I was told the same thing - "we only work...
Extremely fast and courteous service. Was there almost to the minute of when he said. He had everything he needed to make the repair of a ruptured expansion tank on my water heater.
<p>Economy Plumbing did a great job on this install. I contacted them to schedule an appointment based on the Angie's List deal that was running at the time--new Vortens toilets installed for $290 each. There was one plumber for the job who showed up on time, as scheduled, which is always the...
Economy Plumbing ServicesI called EZ Flow Plumbing early Sunday morning after discovering a leaky water heater. In talking with Emilio, who answered the phone promptly, he was very pleasant and helpful on the phone. He had me do some basic descriptions on what I was seeing, where it was leaking, and other details....
When we moved into our new home, the hot water tank was not working. We were put in touch with Weldon Couch Plumbing through our home warranty service. Weldon was able to come a day earlier than originally scheduled and we had hot water by the afternoon which was much appreciated after two...
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