Plain answers to septic questions.

Most residential installations in the Austin metro run roughly $8,000 to $20,000 depending on system type, soil conditions, and site specifics. Conventional systems tend to sit toward the lower end of that range. Aerobic systems, which are often required on tighter soils or smaller lots, run higher. We give you a firm number after the site evaluation, not a guess over the phone.

The install itself typically takes a few days on site once the permit is approved. The longer portion is the front end: soil testing, system design, and county permitting usually takes two to six weeks depending on which county your property is in and current permit queue times.

Yes. We run the soil and site evaluation, draw the code-compliant design, file the OSSF permit with the county, and follow it through approval and final inspection. You do not need to interact with the county office. See our permits and design service for more detail.

A conventional system uses gravity to move wastewater through a drainfield, and works well when your soil drains at the right rate and your lot has enough space. An aerobic system adds an aeration step that treats wastewater more thoroughly before dispersal, making it suitable for tight clay soils, shallow rock, high water tables, or smaller lots where a conventional drainfield would not pass a soil test. The soil evaluation determines which your site can support.

Most residential tanks should be pumped every three to five years, though the right interval depends on household size, tank capacity, and how the system is used. Aerobic systems have more frequent service requirements built into their maintenance contract, typically quarterly inspections. See our septic pumping service for more information.

Common warning signs include slow-draining fixtures throughout the house, gurgling sounds in the drain lines, wet or unusually green patches of grass over the drainfield area, sewage odors inside or outside the home, and sewage backing up into drains or toilets. If you notice any of these, limit water use going into the system and call a licensed professional promptly. We handle septic repairs across the Austin metro.

Yes. We conduct septic inspections for buyers and sellers as part of real estate due diligence. The inspection covers a visual assessment of system components, a tank condition check, and a review of available permit records. We document findings in a written report you can use in the transaction. See our septic inspection service for details.

We primarily serve Hays, Travis, Williamson, Blanco, Caldwell, and Bastrop counties, covering the Austin metro and the Texas Hill Country. If your property is near this area but not listed, call us and we can confirm whether we can reach you. See our service areas page for city-level details.

A soil and site evaluation is the field assessment we run before designing your system. We evaluate the soil profile at multiple depths, note the rate at which water moves through it, check the slope of the land, and measure setback distances from wells, property lines, and structures. This data determines what type of system your site can legally support and what the design needs to account for. Skipping it leads to systems that fail county review or underperform in the field.

Yes. If your system is backing up or you have a visible sewage issue at the surface, call us at (512) 710-7163. We respond to urgent situations as quickly as scheduling allows. In the meantime, limit water use going into the system to reduce the load until a technician can assess it.

Conventional systems require relatively low ongoing maintenance: periodic pumping every few years and watching for signs of drainfield stress. Aerobic systems require more hands-on upkeep. State rules require a maintenance contract with a licensed provider, typically covering quarterly inspections, chlorine or disinfectant replenishment, and system checks. Aerobic systems also have mechanical components such as aerators, pumps, and alarms that conventional systems do not, which adds to long-term maintenance costs.

We work with homeowners on payment timing and can discuss deposit and balance structures on larger jobs. We do not currently offer in-house financing. Call us to talk through what works for your situation.