Living in a rural area means that city sewers aren’t an option for waste management. If this describes you, a good septic tank can make the difference between safety and a sanitation nightmare. But how much does a septic tank cost? The average cost of a septic tank varies based on several factors. The size, location, and material of the tank all contribute to the overall cost. Below in this article, we will cover the Determining the Cost of a Septic Tank.
Tank Size
The size of your septic tank is the first factor you need to consider when estimating the overall cost of a septic tank. Tank sizes vary based on the size and occupancy of the home for which they are installed, and larger tanks are naturally more expensive. A two-bedroom home could use a tank as small as 800 gallons, whereas a four-bedroom might need upwards of 1,200 gallons to get the MNC jobs done. The most common tank sizes are 1,000 gallons and 1,500 gallons.
Tank Location
An often-overlooked factor that significantly contributes to installation costs for a septic tank is the location. Between site preparation, additional plumbing, and installation permits, it pays to consider where your tank will be located when adding up the expenses. The closer together all points in the system are, the less expensive the overall installation will be. On the other hand, the further apart the system elements are, the better your chances of not stepping in effluent should something go wrong.
Tank Material
The final consideration for the cost of a septic tank is the construction material of the tank. The most common septic tank construction materials are plastic, concrete, and fiberglass. Plastic is an inexpensive option, with prices averaging $1,100 to $2,100, but plastic tanks aren’t as durable as the other options. Concrete is the most popular choice, with an average range of $1,200 to $1,800, and these tanks can last up to 30 years if they are cared for properly. Finally, the premium option is fiberglass, which doesn’t flex and doesn’t crack, but runs an average of $1,600 to $2,000 for a 1,000-1,500 gallon tank.
There are many factors to consider when pricing septic tanks. Still, these three determine the main costs associated with septic tank installation. Once you have a good idea of what kind of tank you want, how big of a tank you need, and where you’ll be installing it, you’ll have a reasonably solid estimate of how much your septic tank will cost.