Guide · 4 min read · Updated October 10, 2026
Septic System Cost: Perc Test, System Types + Well Drilling
What a septic system and well cost on raw land, from the perc test to the system type your soil allows.
The short answer
A new septic system typically costs about $3,600 to $12,500 to install, and $10,000 to $20,000 if your soil needs a mound or aerobic system, based on 2025–2026 HomeAdvisor and HomeServe cost guides. The perc test on your land decides which type you can use, and it usually costs $200 to $3,000 depending on the lot. Prices vary a lot by state and soil, so get local quotes.
On raw land with no sewer line, the septic system is one of the biggest swings in your budget. The soil decides what kind you can build, so the cost starts with a test, not a quote.
How much does a septic system cost?
A septic system typically costs $3,590 to $12,463 to install, with most people spending about $8,016, according to HomeAdvisor's 2026 cost guide (HomeAdvisor). HomeServe's November 2025 guide puts a full system at $8,200 to $20,300 (HomeServe).
The spread comes from three things: the system type your soil allows, the size of the tank (set by bedrooms), and local permit rules.
How much does a perc test cost?
A perc test costs $200 to $1,500 when the holes are hand-dug and $500 to $3,000 or more with an excavator, per HomeGuide (HomeGuide). A perc test (percolation test) measures how fast water drains through your soil, which tells the county what kind of septic system will work.
| Lot size | Typical perc test cost | Test holes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25 acre | $200 to $1,500 | 2 to 3 |
| 1 acre | $400 to $3,000 | 4 to 7 |
| 5 acres | $2,000 to $5,000+ | 20 to 35 |
If the land fails, a conventional system is off the table. You may still have options: an alternative system, a different spot on the lot, or a nearby community system (HomeGuide).
Make your land offer contingent on a passing perc test. It's a few hundred dollars that can save you from a lot you can't build on.
Septic system cost by type
The type of septic system your soil allows is the biggest driver of cost. Here are the common types, described by the EPA, with 2025–2026 price ranges:
| System type | What it is | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional (gravity) | Tank plus a gravel or stone drainfield | $3,000 to $8,000 (HomeAdvisor); $8,000 to $13,000 incl. drain field (HomeServe) |
| Chamber | Gravelless drainfield made of connected chambers | $5,000 to $12,000 |
| Drip | Small tubes dose wastewater just below the surface | $8,000 to $18,000 |
| Sand filter | Wastewater pumped through a sand-filled box | $7,000 to $18,000 |
| Aerobic (ATU) | Pumps air into the tank; suits small lots or poor soil | $10,000 to $20,000 |
| Mound | Raised sand mound for shallow soil, high groundwater, or bedrock | $10,000 to $20,000 (HomeAdvisor); $12,000 to $20,000 (HomeServe) |
Other lines to expect: permits run $450 to $2,300 (HomeAdvisor), and a drain field alone runs $5,000 to $12,000 (HomeServe). Aerobic and other systems with pumps need more upkeep, so ask about yearly service costs too.
How much does it cost to drill a well?
Drilling a well costs about $10,500 on average, with $6,000 to $16,000 typical for a 200-foot residential well, per HomeGuide's 2025 guide (HomeGuide). Most residential wells are 100 to 300 feet deep.
- Per foot: $30 to $80+ for a complete installation; $20 to $30 for drilling alone
- Pump: $400 to $2,500
- Pressure tank: $800 to $1,500
Ask whether the pump and tank are in the quote. Depth is the unknown, so ask local drillers how deep nearby wells go.
Example: water + wastewater on raw land
Here's the LAND + HOME raw-land water budget. Example only, hypothetical numbers for one lot:
| Line | Example amount |
|---|---|
| Perc test (1 acre, excavator) | $1,500 |
| Septic permit + design | $1,500 |
| Mound system (soil failed conventional) | $16,000 |
| Well (220 feet, with pump and tank) | $13,000 |
| Cushion (about 10%) | $3,200 |
| Total | $35,200 |
The same lot with soil that passes for a conventional system could save about $10,000. That's why two cheap lots can end up far apart. Run your own lines in the free Land + Home Cost Calculator.
What order should you do things in?
Use this order so you never pay for a system on land that won't take one:
- Call the county health department about septic rules for the parcel.
- Get a perc test before you close on the land.
- Ask which system type the results allow.
- Get 2 to 3 installer quotes for that system.
- Ask local well drillers about typical depths nearby.
- Add both to your all-in budget before you buy the home.
Once it's in, the EPA says to have a typical system inspected at least every three years and the tank pumped every three to five years (EPA).
The bottom line
A septic system can cost a few thousand dollars or $20,000, and the perc test tells you which. Add a well and water can be one of the biggest lines on raw land. Costs vary by state, soil, and county rules, so test first and get local quotes. Do your research and know your numbers. For every other land cost, see how much it costs to put a manufactured home on land.
Common questions
How much does a septic system cost to install?
HomeAdvisor puts typical septic installation at $3,590 to $12,463, with an average of about $8,016. Mound and aerobic systems run about $10,000 to $20,000 because the soil needs more help to treat wastewater.
How much does a perc test cost?
HomeGuide lists $200 to $1,500 for a hand-dug perc test and $500 to $3,000 or more when an excavator is needed. A 1-acre lot typically runs $400 to $3,000.
What happens if land fails a perc test?
The soil can't support a conventional septic system. You may be able to use an alternative system such as a mound or aerobic unit, move the system to another spot, or connect to a nearby community system.
How much does it cost to drill a well?
HomeGuide puts the national average at about $10,500, with $6,000 to $16,000 typical for a 200-foot residential well. Pumps and pressure tanks are not always included in the per-foot price.
How often does a septic tank need to be pumped?
The EPA says household tanks are usually pumped every three to five years and should be inspected at least every three years. Alternative systems with mechanical parts generally need a yearly check.
When you're ready for the next step
Keep reading
How Much Does It Really Cost to Put a Manufactured Home on Land?A walk through every line of the all-in number, from land and site prep to the costs after the home arrives.
Manufactured Home Setup Costs: What to Budget Beyond the Home PriceDelivery, foundation, utilities, permits, and the other costs that come after you pick the home.