When you live in a rural area, a city sewer system isn’t an option for taking care of your waste management needs. In these cases, a well-made and properly installed septic tank can be the only thing standing between your bathroom and a smelly sanitation nightmare. You may be asking, “How much does a septic tank cost, anyway?” The answer might surprise you. The material, type, and location of the tank all contribute to the overall installation and maintenance costs.

Tank Material

The first consideration for the cost of a septic tank is the material the tank is made of. The most common septic tank materials are plastic, concrete, and fiberglass. Plastic is the inexpensive option, averaging $1,100 to $2,100, but plastic tanks are neither as durable nor as widely allowed. Concrete is the traditional choice, with an average range of $1,200 to $1,800, and these tanks can last up to 30 years with proper maintenance. The deluxe option is fiberglass, which doesn’t flex or crack, but costs about $1,600 to $2,000 for a 1,000-1,500 gallon tank.

Tank Type

Your septic tank’s size and treatment method is the next factor you need to consider when estimating septic tank costs. Tank sizes vary as a two-bedroom home needs less space than a four-bedroom to get the job done. The most common tank sizes are 1,000 gallons and 1,500 gallons. Aerobic treatment methods don’t require as much leaching space and are more effective, but they cost significantly more than anaerobic septic systems.

Tank Location

Between installation permits, additional plumbing, and site preparation, it’s wise to consider where your tank will be located when tallying the total expenses. The plumbing costs alone can significantly increase your overall estimate, as every 100 feet of PVC pipe for septic systems costs between $65 and $80.

There are many elements to consider when pricing septic tanks and septic systems. Still, these are the three that determine the main septic tank installation costs. Once you have a good idea of what kind and how large of a tank you need and where you’ll be placing it, you’ll have an answer to the question: “How much does a septic system cost?”