Cost guide · checked Nov 12, 2026
What septic work costs in the Chattanooga area
There's no public survey of Chattanooga-only septic prices, so these are national 2026 ranges from Angi, plus the actual local permit fees. Use them to sanity-check quotes, not as a quote.
Septic cost estimator
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How this works: Chattanooga Septic Quotes is a free referral service, not a septic company. We pass your request to independent local septic pros, who may pay us for the referral. They quote, schedule and do the work; check their insurance before you hire. More about us.
How the estimator works
It picks Angi's 2026 range for the job you choose: pumping by tank size, inspection by type, repair by part, drain field repair or replacement, or a new system by type. Then it adds Angi's $50 to $250 if the tank has to be dug up and $250 to $900 for a camera inspection if you tick those boxes. It doesn't add an emergency surcharge, because we found no reliable published figure; ask for the after-hours rate. Results are rounded to $50 and shown as a range. Local permit fees, travel and disposal fees aren't included.
Pumping
| Item | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average pumping | $428 (most pay $292 to $565) | Angi |
| 750-gallon tank | $250 to $550 | Angi |
| 1,000-gallon tank | $325 to $700 | Angi |
| 1,250-gallon tank | $375 to $900 | Angi |
| 1,500-gallon tank | $450 to $1,100 | Angi |
| 1,750-gallon tank | $550 to $1,250 | Angi |
| Uncovering a buried lid | $50 to $250 | Angi |
Inspection
| Item | Angi 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Average inspection | $550 (most $200 to $900; up to $1,300) |
| Annual visual check | $200 to $250 |
| Basic (every 3 years) | $250 to $400 |
| Detailed (real estate) | $400 to $700 |
| Camera | $250 to $900 |
| Georgia state average | $500 |
Repairs and drain fields
| Item | Angi 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Typical repair | $630 to $3,040 |
| Lid / baffle / filter | $150 to $500 / $300 to $900 / $200 to $300 |
| Pump | $250 to $1,000 |
| Main line | $1,000 to $4,200 |
| Clog removal | about $1,700 on average |
| Drain field repair | $2,000 to $15,000 |
| Replace tank and drain field | $5,000 to $12,000 (average $6,000) |
| By field type | anaerobic $5,000; aerobic $7,000; evapotranspiration $8,000; mound $12,000 (averages) |
| Perc test before replacing a field | about $1,300 |
| Field aeration (instead of replacement) | $10,000 to $20,000 |
New system
| Item | Angi 2026 range |
|---|---|
| New system (most homeowners) | $3,590 to $12,463 (average $8,016) |
| Conventional (anaerobic) | $3,000 to $8,000 |
| Aerobic | $10,000 to $20,000 |
| Perc / soil test | $700 to $2,000 |
| Land survey | $330 to $900 |
Local government fees
| Fee | Hamilton Co., TN | Catoosa Co., GA | Walker Co., GA |
|---|---|---|---|
| New system permit / application | $440 | $275 | $175 |
| Repair permit | $40 | ask the office | |
| Modification (bedrooms, field lines) | $440 | ask the office | |
| Existing system review / evaluation | $205 | $125 | $75 |
| Alternative system permit | (New Septic Permit, $440) | $350 | $225 |
| Lot review / evaluation | $150 per lot + $5 | $100 (buying) | $100 (buying) |
How to keep costs down
- Pump on schedule. The EPA says every 3 to 5 years for a typical household tank, with an inspection at least every 3 years.
- Keep water use spread out, and keep roof drains and sump pumps away from the drain field (EPA).
- Get at least two written quotes for the same scope. Angi suggests asking how disposal is charged.
- Before replacing a whole system, ask whether a repair or partial replacement is possible. Angi notes baffles alone run $300 to $900.
Sources
- Angi, How Much Does It Cost to Pump a Septic Tank? (2026 data, updated Oct 14, 2026)
- Angi, How Much Does a Septic Inspection Cost? (updated Oct 7, 2026)
- Angi, Common Questions About Septic System Installation, Repair, or Replacement (updated May 3, 2026)
- Angi, How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Septic Tank and Drain Field? (updated Oct 29, 2026)
- Angi, How Much Does a Septic System Cost? (updated Oct 14, 2026)
- Hamilton County, Development Services: Groundwater Protection (permits and fees)
- Catoosa County Health Department, Environmental Health fee schedule (PDF)
- Walker County Health Department, Environmental Health fee schedule (PDF)
- U.S. EPA, How to Care for Your Septic System
Prices are national ranges published by the sources above, not quotes. Your price depends on the system, access and timing; local companies quote after seeing the job.