Money makes the world go round, which is why it’s always a good idea to do your research before making a major purchase or paying for a large home improvement project. A little preparation goes a long way towards helping you budget effectively while avoiding sticker shock.

If you’re buying or constructing a building that doesn’t have access to a municipal sewer system, one thing you’ve probably been wondering is the cost and process of installing a septic tank.

Homes and businesses with their own private septic tanks have many advantages over those connected to municipal sewers—they’re safer and cleaner, easy to maintain, they lower utility expenses, and they’re environmentally friendly—but there are a lot of factors that can affect the price tag.

For more than 30 years, Avalanche Services has provided affordable and high-quality septic system design and installation in Lake Ariel and the greater Poconos area.

To help you get an idea of what to expect from your upcoming septic tank installation, below you’ll find some useful information about the different things impacting the installation process, as well as some national average cost estimates.

Factors That Affect Septic Tank Installation Costs

In the US, the cost of installing a new septic tank can range anywhere from $5,000 to as much as $10,000, with the national average estimated at around $6,000 or $7,000.

Every property owner has different needs based on the land they’re occupying, how much wastewater they produce, and the local region’s ordinances and regulations, so keep that in mind when budgeting for a septic tank installation.

Soil and Landscaping

A critical piece of the septic installation puzzle that is sometimes overlooked is the nature of a property’s soil and landscaping. Before anything, a percolation test needs to be conducted to test the permeability of the ground surrounding your property and to find the best possible installation site.

This on its own can generally cost between $1,000 and $2,000, but it is essential to determine how well your property can accommodate a private septic system while still complying with local health and safety standards.

Once the best installation site is identified, the ground still has to be prepared. This means clearing the land and digging up the soil to make room for the septic tank, pump, sewage line, and leach field. Although the cost of doing this is typically included in your installation estimate, any landscaping you might need after installation, such as planting new grass or other plants, is not.

Tank Type and Size

While soil composition and land preparation are important to take into account for septic tank installation, a much bigger factor in terms of cost estimation is the capacity, material, and style of the tank itself.

Since all of the wastewater you will end up passing through your tank, property owners need to consider their usage levels. We determine the appropriate size of your septic tank by how many bedrooms are in your house.

For example, the average three-bedroom home requires a 1,000-gallon tank, at a cost of around $5,000, while a five-bedroom home requires a 1,500-gallon tank at an even greater cost. Business owners, meanwhile, could need larger tanks to accommodate the needs of customers or employees.

A tank’s size is often closely related to the material it’s made of, and this can also affect pricing. A plastic tank, for instance, may cost as little as $800, but it will be more fragile and susceptible to changes in pressure.

Concrete tanks, on the other hand, are the most durable and long-lasting, but are also more expensive, with some costing nearly $7,000. Steel and fiberglass options may also be available.

The most important decision to make when choosing a septic tank, though, is what type of tank you want. The two main styles of tank are anaerobic and aerobic, with the former being the most common and affordable while is more expensive but requires a smaller leach field, meaning the system as a whole takes up less space.

In an anaerobic tank, also known as a conventional tank or gravity tank, solid waste matter naturally settles on the bottom of the tank while fluid matter rises to the top, where it is eventually released into the leach field to decompose naturally. Depending on the permeability of your property’s soil, however, this might not be an option.

The alternative is an aerobic tank, which treats waste matter with oxygen, biofilm, or sand filters. Aerobic tanks have more moving parts, requiring both an aerator and electrical hookup to work properly. As a result, while an anaerobic tank typically costs between $2,000 and $5,000, an aerobic tank could cost as much as $20,000.

Contact Avalanche Services Now for a Free Estimate

Whether you live alone and plan to install a small tank for your home or you own your own business and need a heavy-duty tank that can accommodate much more wastewater, Avalanche Systems is here to help.

In addition to design and installation, we also such septic system services as pumping, drain cleaning, alarm calls, jetting, general maintenance and repairs, and more. Our pricing, efficiency, and expertise are second to none.

Don’t take our word for it; call Avalanche Services today to find out for yourself!