Free 2026 estimator

Drain field failing? Estimate the repair before the first quote.

Leach field work is one of the most expensive surprises in homeownership. Pick your system type, house size and site conditions to see a realistic range.

$3k–$15ktypical replacement (HomeGuide)
20–25 yrstypical field life (HomeGuide)
3–5 yrstypical pumping interval (EPA)

Read the full cost breakdown →

Cost estimator

Bedrooms in the home

System type (est. multiplier from published midpoints)

Soil and site (est. multiplier)

What is included

Perc / soil test (HomeGuide)$600–$2,000Permit (range across HomeGuide and HomeAdvisor)$250–$2,300Tank pumping before work (Angi/HomeAdvisor)$292–$565Excavation (HomeAdvisor)$1,500–$6,300Regrading after the job (Angi)$1,000–$3,300New distribution box (HomeAdvisor)$500–$1,500

Ranges are published figures from the sources in our guides. Multipliers (region, access, soil, terrain, system type) and anything marked "est." are Cornelia Cove estimates, not published prices.

How we built these numbers

Sources. Each price is copied as published from a named, dated cost guide. We don’t round, blend or adjust for inflation.

Replacement range ($3,000–$15,000, average about $7,900) and typical field life (20–25 years): as published by HomeGuide, Drain/Leach Field Replacement Cost (updated Dec 22, 2025).
Supporting figures: Angi, How Much Do New Drain Fields Cost? (Jul 8, 2026); HomeAdvisor, Septic System Installation Cost (Jun 20, 2026); tank pumping $292–$565 from Angi, Septic Tank Pumping Cost (Jul 9, 2026).
Pumping interval (every 3–5 years) and inspection (at least every three years): EPA, How to Care for Your Septic System.
Our estimates (labeled "est." in the estimator): the per-bedroom base is HomeGuide’s field range divided by three, and the region, access, soil and system-type multipliers are our own adjustments. They are not published figures.

Date checked. All sources were retrieved Oct 11–13, 2026 and fact-checked on 2026-10-13.

How ranges are built. Low and high figures are the source’s published typical range. Anything we calculate ourselves is labeled as an estimate. These are planning ranges, not quotes.

Update cadence. We recheck the cost figures against the sources at least once a year and update the date on the page when they change.

Reuse. Our cost tables are licensed CC BY 4.0. You can reuse them with attribution and a link to this page. Published by Cornelia Cove LLC.

Worked example

Worked example: the estimator with these inputs: 3 bedrooms in the home; System type (est. multiplier from published midpoints): Conventional gravel trench; Soil and site (est. multiplier): Good soil, easy access; items: Conventional drain field, est. per bedroom (HomeGuide $2,000–$6,000 per field ÷ 3 bedrooms), Perc / soil test (HomeGuide), Permit (range across HomeGuide and HomeAdvisor), Tank pumping before work (Angi/HomeAdvisor). Each line is the published range times the quantity where it applies, times the multipliers, rounded to the nearest $10.

Line item	Range
Conventional drain field, est. per bedroom (HomeGuide $2,000–$6,000 per field ÷ 3 bedrooms)	$2,010 – $6,000
Perc / soil test (HomeGuide)	$600 – $2,000
Permit (range across HomeGuide and HomeAdvisor)	$250 – $2,300
Tank pumping before work (Angi/HomeAdvisor)	$290 – $570
Estimated total	$3,150 – $10,870

See the example step by step or read how the estimates are built.

Guides

Know the numbers before the contractor does the talking

Each guide breaks a quote into the parts you can check, with the questions that separate a fair bid from a padded one.

Drain Field Replacement CostWhat a new leach field costs by system type, and why mound systems cost several times more than a conventional field.

Signs Your Drain Field Is FailingHow to tell a failing leach field from a full tank or a clogged pipe.

Perc Test Cost and What It Tells YouWhy the soil test comes first, what it costs, and how results change your system.

Drain Field Repair vs ReplacementWhen a failing drain field can be repaired for a few thousand dollars, when it has to be replaced, and how permits differ for each.

Septic Smell in the Yard: Causes and FixesA sewage smell outside can come from a vent, a loose lid or a failing drain field. How to find the source and what each fix costs.

Soggy Ground Over the Drain FieldWet, spongy ground or standing water over a drain field: how to tell rain and a high water table from a failing field, and what to do.

Septic Backup: What to Do NowSewage backing up into tubs, showers or floor drains: what to do in the first hour, how to tell a tank problem from a field problem, and the rules for emergency repairs.

Drain Field FAQAnswers to common leach field questions.

State guides

Common questions

See all answers →

How long does a drain field last?

HomeGuide says 20 to 25 years; Angi says about 20 on average. EPA advises inspecting the system every three years and pumping typically every three to five years. Overloading with water, grease or wipes shortens field life.

Does homeowners insurance cover drain field replacement?

Rarely. Most policies exclude wear and gradual failure. Damage from a sudden event may be covered.

How long does replacement take?

HomeGuide says 3 to 7 days on site. Including permits and soil testing, theseptic.guide reports 4 to 12 weeks.

Can I drive or build on a drain field?

No. Vehicles compact soil and crush pipes. Keep structures, pools and trees with aggressive roots away.

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Use the estimate above as your yardstick. A fair bid should itemize the same lines.