How Much Does It Cost to Locate a Septic Tank? [2024 Data]

Locating a Septic Tank Cost Breakdown

The cost of locating a septic tank mostly depends on whether you are finding the tank yourself or hiring a local septic tank company to determine the location. Other factors, like size and location on the property, may have some impact on the cost.

Size

Finding the tank costs about the same no matter the size of the septic tank, but you may pay more if you are having a pro inspect a larger tank. That’s because during an inspection, the septic system specialist isn’t just flagging where the tank is located—they are also taking a close look at the system for any damage. This process will take longer for a larger tank, and larger tanks are more common on bigger properties.

Inspection Type

If you’re hiring a pro, the cost varies by the type of inspection needed. Having someone come inspect the septic tank as part of your regular maintenance costs about $100 to $450, but an in-depth inspection, which includes a pro snaking plumbing cameras into the pipes, can cost about $900.

Labor

Hiring a septic company to come inspect the property for the septic tank will cost about $100 to $450 total, or the company may charge a rate of $100 to $300 per hour. With an inspection, the pro will locate the tank and check it for signs of damage, and they can recommend repairs or septic system maintenance, like pumping the tank.

Location

Septic tanks may be buried about four inches to four feet underground. For septic tanks that are buried about two feet or less, you may be able to spot them just by looking around the yard or using a soil probe. This will cost you less than $25.

If the septic tank is buried pretty deep, about four feet, you may have a harder time finding it with a soil probe. In that case, you may need to spend $100 to $450 for a professional inspection.

Cost by Inspection Type

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If you decide to hire a septic company to help you identify where your septic tank is located, you may spend $100 to $1,175 based on the type of inspection. If you think there’s something wrong with the system, you will want to pay more for a more detailed inspection.

Basic

If you just need to find the septic tank and double-check whether it needs pumping, you will spend about $100 to $450 for a professional to come take a look with a basic inspection. They will find the tank for you, inspect it for wear and tear, and check for leaks, and measure the solid waste to check if it’s time for your tank to be pumped.

Detailed

With a more detailed inspection, which costs $400 to $700, the pro will locate the tank and check it for visual signs of wear. Then, they may also test for proper functioning from the home’s plumbing to the leach field (where organic material from your tank is filtered out), audit whether your tank size is the right fit for your property size, and even test soil around the leach field to make sure wastewater is being treated efficiently and effectively.

Title V

A Title V inspection is required if you plan to sell or expand your property, and this type of inspection costs $500 to $900. In addition to finding the septic tank, the inspector will test that the system is functioning properly. 

Camera

A professional septic company may use a camera for an inspection, and a sewer camera inspection costs $250 to $1,175. This process involves snaking a camera into the main sewer line or other pipes of your home to check for problems, like clogs or corrosion.

Septic Tank Ongoing Expenses

Septic systems may save homeowners on the cost of monthly utility bills, but they still have long-term costs to consider. Pumping the septic tank, inspecting the system, and making repairs as needed will all add to the cost of a septic system. Homeowners may also consider costs for upgrades, like septic tank landscaping ideas or added insurance coverage.

Maintenance 

Septic tanks require little, if any, day-to-day maintenance, aside from taking care to only flush human waste and toilet paper and limiting water usage to not overwhelm the system. In terms of maintenance costs, homeowners need to consider the cost to pump a septic tank, $250 to $1,250. The septic tank needs to be pumped by a professional about once every three to five years.

Operating Costs 

Septic tanks have minimal operating costs, making them a popular choice among homeowners. Rather than paying a utility bill for sewage each month, homeowners whose properties have septic tanks can save on these monthly bills. The trade-off, of course, is that they will need to pay for the ongoing maintenance costs of inspections and pumping the tank, which costs hundreds of dollars per year.

Repairs

Repairing a septic tank costs $630 to $3,000. Sewer line replacement costs between $1,300 and $5,000 on average, while replacing the whole septic tank costs $500 to $2,000 not including labor. You can save on repairs by scheduling an inspection at least every three years to catch potential issues early on.

Insurance

Homeowners insurance costs an average of $1,500 per year, and this typically includes coverage for accidental damage to a septic system. For added protection, you can purchase additional coverage, like drain- and sewer-backup insurance or service line coverage, from your provider. Sewer backup insurance costs about $50 to $250 per year, and service line coverage costs about $20 to $50 per year.

Ways to Save on Locating a Septic Tank

Locating a septic tank isn’t expensive if you’re just wondering where on your property it is. You can save big by obtaining your property records, which will show the tank location, or using a soil probe. However, if you need a professional inspection, there are still ways to save on the cost.

• DIY: Labor is the biggest factor for how much it costs to locate a septic tank. If the tank is buried about two feet, you may be able to find it on your own for $25 or less.

• Pump the tank: The septic tank needs to be pumped every three to five years, so knock out two tasks at once by having the company find the septic tank when they come to pump it.

• Check your insurance: If you suspect accidental damage to your septic tank and are trying to locate it, your homeowners insurance policy may cover some repair costs.

DIY Locating a Septic Tank vs. Hiring a Pro

Locating your septic tank is easy to handle on your own. You can simply walk outside on a snowy day and look for an area of melting snow, since the tank generates some natural heat underground. If that doesn’t work, you can also look around for a small mound or depression in the yard where the tank is buried. A soil probe, available for around $25, can help locate tanks buried two feet or less in the ground. Another option is to check county records, which will have your septic tank location, and this option is free or may cost you under $1 if you choose to purchase copies of the records.

By comparison, hiring a local septic company may cost about $100 for a basic inspection or up to $1,175 for a camera inspection. While this cost may be higher, it can save you lots of time. Not only that, but if you’re wondering where the tank is because you think it may be damaged or needs to be pumped, only a pro can handle septic tank repairs or pumping anyway. Hiring a pro to do the inspection and pumping or repairs at once could save you money.