What a septic estimate is for
Most homeowners know nothing about their septic system until it backs up. An estimate that explains the tank size, the lids, the baffles and the field in plain words, and separates routine pumping from repairs, helps them make good decisions. It also flags permits for any field work up front.
What to put on a septic estimate
- Tank size and number of compartments.
- Locating and digging up lids, if buried.
- Pumping and what it includes.
- Repairs found, each explained.
- Risers to make future access easy.
- Permits for field or tank replacement.
A worked example
A house with a 1,000 gallon tank, lids buried under the lawn, and a slow drain. The homeowner does not know when it was last pumped.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locate and dig up lids | 2 | each | Your price |
| Septic tank pumping | 1,000 | gal | Your price |
| Riser and lid install | 2 | each | Your price |
| Effluent filter cleaning | 1 | each | Your price |
Risers are listed so the customer can avoid paying to dig next time. Explain that in the notes; it sells itself.
Line items septic companies use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Septic tank pumping | gal | By tank size; say the size pumped. |
| Locate and dig up lids | each | When lids are buried. |
| Riser and lid install | each | Brings lids to the surface for easy access. |
| Septic inspection | each | For a sale or maintenance; name what it covers. |
| Camera inspection of lines | each | House to tank, tank to field. |
| Baffle repair or replacement | each | Inlet or outlet. |
| Effluent filter cleaning | each | Where the system has one. |
| Line jetting | ft | Clears roots and buildup. |
| Pump or alarm replacement | each | For pump systems. |
| Drain field evaluation | each | Probing and inspection of the field. |
| Drain field repair or replacement | each | Design and permits often required. |
| Permit and health department fees | each | Repairs and replacements often need county approval. |
Terms and deposit language for septic
- Deposit. No deposit on pumping and inspections. Repairs and drain field work take a deposit for permits and materials.
- Payment. Due on completion for pumping and inspections; repairs by milestone.
- Warranty. State your workmanship warranty on repairs; pumps and alarms carry the maker's warranty.
- Lids must be located; digging is billed if they are buried.
- Drain field work usually needs county or health department permits and may need a design.
- Driving over the drain field can damage it; trucks stay off it.
How to fill it in
- Put in your business details once; this browser keeps them for every template.
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Change the line items to fit this job and add your prices.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print to PDF, download Word or CSV, or send it from Koira.
Free tools for septic
- Labor rate calculator
- Pipe volume calculator
- Maintenance plan pricing calculator
- Satellite measuring tool
The same estimate for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.