Septic System Installation in Knoxville, TN

A new septic system in Knox County starts with a perc test and a county permit, then the tank and drain field go in to the size the soil allows.

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Price guide: A three-bedroom conventional system on Knox County clay typically runs $16,000 to $22,000, including the soil work, permit, tank and drain field. Systems for difficult soil cost more.

These are typical prices for the Knoxville area, to help you plan. Every property is a little different, so we look at yours and confirm your price with you before any work starts.

What actually happens

Most of the time on a new system goes on paperwork and weather, not digging. The soil work and design come first. Then the permit: Knox County says its first review usually takes 3 to 5 working days, and TDEC has to decide within 45 days of a complete application. Once the permit is in hand, a conventional system on an open lot is usually a few days of work on site, and longer for an alternative system or a lot with rock or steep ground. The permit office inspects before anything is covered.

The order it happens in

Perc test and soil evaluation on the lot.
System design and the permit application to the county.
Tank set and drain field installed to the permitted size.
County inspection before the system is covered.

Septic tank replacement

Replacement follows the same permit process as a new system. An older steel or failing concrete tank is usually replaced with a new concrete or plastic tank sized to current rules, and the drain field gets checked at the same time.

Choosing a septic tank installer

Ask any septic installer who does the perc test, who applies for the permit, and whether the price includes the drain field or just the tank. A quote that only covers the tank is not the cost of the system. We coordinate the perc test, permit, tank and drain field as one job, with each part done by Tennessee-licensed professionals, so one company answers for all of it.

When the soil will not take a conventional field

If the perc test fails, the county may require an alternative system. As a rough guide, a mound system adds $10,000 to $14,000 and an aerobic treatment unit $7,500 to $10,500 to a three-bedroom install. See what to do if your land fails a perc test.

What customers say about our septic system installation

★★★★★

I recently had a septic tank installed and the experience was surprisingly smooth. The crew was friendly and knowledgeable, walking me through each step of the process and answering all my questions. I feel much more confident now, knowing everything is set up properly for my home.

John Hammonds, septic system installation

★★★★★

I recently had a septic tank installed at my home, and I have to say, the process was pretty straightforward. The team arrived on time and was professional throughout the installation. They walked me through each step, which made me feel more comfortable about the whole thing.

Steve R., septic system installation

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Helpful answers

Questions people ask

What size septic tank do I need?

Tennessee sets the minimum by bedroom count: 750 gallons for two bedrooms or fewer, 900 for three, 1,000 for four, and 250 gallons more for each bedroom after that. Those are minimums, and a bigger tank goes longer between pump-outs.

How long does an installation take?

The digging is usually a few days for a conventional system. From the first call it is usually several weeks, because the soil report, the design and the permit come first, and rain can stop work on clay.

Estimate the cost of a new system

Towns we cover

Also covered: Lenoir City, Loudon, Greenback, Oliver Springs, Rocky Top, Maynardville, Blaine, Dandridge, Jefferson City, New Market, Pigeon Forge, Townsend, Friendsville.