What Is The Price Of A Septic Tank?

This is one of the most common questions our technicians get asked! Unfortunately, this question is a bit complicated to answer, as it varies from project to project and property to property.

The price of the tank itself is only one part of the total cost. Your household size, soil conditions, property layout, available land and disposal area, site accessibility and the type of wastewater system you need can all impact the final price.

At Express Wastewater Solutions, our team know the challenges of having to budget for a new septic tank or sewage system. Before your project starts, we always ensure that you have a personalised breakdown of all the costs involved, from installing your septic tank to getting local council approvals.

In this guide, our experienced technicians break down how much it’ll cost to install a septic tank on your property.

So, How Much Does A Septic Tank Cost?

As a general rule of thumb, installing a new septic tank as well as an absorption trench costs anywhere between $5,000 and $15,000 depending on the complexity of the job. If you are looking at installing just a septic tank, prices range from $1000 to $5000 depending on the brand, size and material.

What’s The Difference Between A Septic Tank and A Septic System?

A septic tank is only one component of a complete septic system.

Wastewater from your home’s toilets, kitchen and drains enters your septic tank. The solids settle at the bottom of the tank, and the liquid and scum rises to the surface. The liquid effluent leaves your septic tank via an outlet pipe and moves onto the next stage, usually an absorption trench and is absorbed into the soil.

Depending on your property, a septic system can include a variety of components such as:

• A septic tank
• Inlet and outlet plumbing
• An absorption trench or other land application area
• Pumps
• Electrical components
• Pipework
• System controls
• Soil and site assessment
• System design
• Excavation and earthworks

It’s important to remember when researching which septic tank is right for your home, the cheapest tank doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the cheapest system to install.

The tank still needs to fit your property, be connected correctly and be paired with a wastewater disposal method that can safely manage the home's wastewater.

Septic System Servicing & Maintenance Costs

The price of a septic system also includes mandatory long-term costs. You must budget for routine septic system servicing, which includes mandatory compliance checks and reporting to the local council. 

These routine checks are a small, preventative cost that saves you a fortune by avoiding system failures, emergency pump outs, and costly repairs down the road. 

Our team manages your full maintenance schedule to keep your operating costs low and your system running efficiently.

How We Figure Out The Cost Of Your Septic Tank

Here at Express Wastewater Solutions, our team believe in delivering quality and long-lasting septic tanks all over the Sunshine Coast and South East Queensland. While every septic tank installation is different, the main process follows the same basic steps:

Choosing The Right Septic Tank

Your septic tank needs to be sized and tailored to your property. While not glamorous, our team will discuss your water and wastewater usage habits and figure out the best-sized septic tank for your home. Installing the wrong size septic tank can have severe and expensive consequences later down the track.

Site Assessment And System Design

Before deciding where your new septic tank will go, your property needs to be assessed by our septic specialists.

Our team will inspect:

• Your property size and layout
• Household wastewater requirements
• The soil conditions, particularly if your home sits on reactive clay soil
• Your property’s slope
• Available disposal area
• If you have any existing wastewater infrastructure
• Access for excavation equipment

All this information helps us to determine which type of septic system is appropriate for your home, lifestyle and property.

Soil Assessment

When installing a septic system, it’s also important to assess your soil. Our team looks at factors like soil permeability, drainage, the type of soil you have and the groundwater conditions. All these factors can influence the type of septic tank or system you get and how it needs to be designed and installed.

Wastewater Disposal Area

So, you’ve installed a septic tank but now what? The liquid effluent needs somewhere to go. Your property ight have plenty of space for your septic tank but still have limited suitable land for a wastewater disposal area.

The available land, soil conditions, slope and ground conditions like rocks and gravel all need to be considered when designing the system. If your wastewater disposal area doesn’t have easy access for our trucks and excavation machines, it can impact the overall price.

Council And Compliance Requirements

Septic tanks and other onsite wastewater systems need to be approved by your local council to be safely installed. The exact requirements depend on the type of system you choose as well as the specific rules of your council area.

Our team can help you with the paperwork side of installing your septic tank, but it’s always a good idea to make room in your budget for council and compliance requirements as it can quickly add up.

Thinking About Installing A Septic Tank?

If you’re considering installing a new septic tank or need to upgrade to a new septic system, our team are ready to help. For a personalised quote, contact us on 0400 700 238 or fill out our online booking form today.