How much does it cost to put in a well and septic system. Clean water is a basic human right needed to preserve hygiene, health, and even life in some cases but providing clean water (from both a drinking and disposal standpoint) isn’t an easy task.
In the United States, it’s a federal requirement that homes have access to running water.
Homes lacking these services are often deemed ‘unfit’ and run the risk of being condemned by local authorities unless they can easily and quickly come up with solutions for their residents.
A well and septic system or the water and sewer system of your municipality are the only ways to get it.
How much does it cost to put in a well and septic system
Installing a septic system can be expensive but there are many companies that offer to finance.
On their own, solo systems average around $5,200 with the very cheapest installations running an average price of $3,200 and the most expensive running a big average price of $10,400.
Total expenses for well and septic system drilling and installation range from $8,500 to $22,000 with the most common price falling around in the middle at $14,000.
The Septic System
Your septic system comprises a septic tank, which will hold and treat all the wastewater from your home.
As well as plumbing connections that run to and from the tank and the leach field where effluent goes after solids are broken down inside the tank.
Soil Percolation Tests In most regions, you’re going to need to pay for a soil percolation test before installing a septic system, because most local governments will require this prior to issuing a building permit.
A professional can perform this test, but it’s going to cost between $1,000- $1,500. While it is possible to complete a percolation test on your own (for example, by drilling several deep holes in your yard), local regulations/codes may prohibit doing this without hiring an engineer or other qualified professional.
If you opt for a professional, you can ask about other tests that should be conducted during soil analysis for your project.
The Septic Tank
The cost of a septic system will range from $4,000 to $25,000 depending on the size of your home.
Septic tanks can be purchased from one manufacturer and then installed by someone else (these are often found at big box hardware stores).
While it is much faster to have one person install everything, many people choose to pay multiple companies for their products and services.
For example, you might get a tank from one business and pipes/pumps from another.
You really don’t know how much something will cost until the contractor does an assessment of your property informally or based on previous technologies used on other sites.
The best way to get an estimate is to over-plan your site in order to fit all necessary components inside the footprint provided by local plumbing codes this way you can offer contractors exact numbers when they ask.
Drilling well
When you’re starting a new drilling project, you may need a professional’s assistance due to the need for specialized equipment and requisite permits.
The drilling itself can cost anywhere from $15 per foot to over $30 per foot for a private well, depending on the area.
To get an idea of what the cost could look like for your 100-foot well, on average it will be around $1,500-$3,000 while the permit fees will range in cost depending on where you live.
The cost of a water well depends on how deep you’ll need them to go. If it’s just 100 feet, that generally won’t cost much because they’re just going down a little bit.
However, if they have to go 400 feet before hitting water then you might end up having to pay $6,000 – $12,000. That’s because the total project is likely going to be more than simply digging a hole.
You may need parts like pumps and pipes too. Or maybe even treatment systems. Those could add thousands to your water well costs.
Bids for the project
Before choosing a licensed contractor for your home, make sure to review bids from between five and ten potential companies as one way of ensuring that you’re not choosing someone just because they direct-marketed to you.
How much does it cost to put in a well and septic system
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