2012 National and State Septic Tank Pumping Cost Averages

NASHVILLE, TN, July 03, 2012 (Press-News.org) SepticHelp.org owner and founder, Erik Pearson, recently published the 2012 national and state septic pumping cost averages. These averages are based on price estimates gathered from over 165 local pumping company websites across the country.

"While searching to provide my readers with an estimate of what they'll spend on pumping, I couldn't find a really reliable, fact-based resource, so I decided to create one," says Pearson. "Since prices are always fluctuating, government publications only give very broad estimates, so that route didn't work. In addition, septic companies don't like to publish their rates because they want customers to 'call for a quote,' which is probably a smart business move but leaves us without reliable figures."

The new national and state averages are based on many hours of tedious work visiting hundreds of websites to find ones that actually listed their prices; however, this work was shortened through the use of a nearly 700 character custom-made Google search string says Pearson. The search string allowed for a Google search that only returned pages with a dollar amount within a certain range, specific words, and excluded certain national website. Without the search string, the task would not have been feasible.

"The process was really enlightening," he remarks, explaining that the prices follow a predictable pattern. More expensive areas like the West Coast and New England have higher rates, and rates tend to increase if the property is close to a major city. One noteworthy exception is extremely remote areas that can have a surcharge. For example, one company's site said the fee would be higher if they have to drive into the more mountainous areas of Colorado.

He continues saying the most revealing part of the process was discovering how some septic companies advertize low prices and then gouge the customer: "Most companies advertize their fee based on a certain distance from their office, a 1000 gallon tank, and not having to locate or dig up the tank. In other words, if a homeowner sees an ad for $199 septic pumping, they'll want to call and ask about these additional charges, especially locating and digging up the tank. If a homeowner doesn't know the location of their tank and doesn't have risers that connect the tank with the surface, then these additional fees could double or triple their bill!"

When pressed for the eagerly awaited results for the 2012 pumping cost average, he states, "If the homeowner lives in an average cost area, picks a company close to their home, has a 1000 gallon tank, and finds and uncovers their own tank, then they should spend around the national average of $228.02."

According to SepticHelp.org founder Erik Pearson, the 2012 national septic tank pumping cost average is $228.02, which is based on over 165 actual prices charged by companies in 46 states.

Further info can be found at septic tank pumping cost report

About Septichelp.org
SepticHelp.org is the brainchild of Erik Pearson, a small town/rural real estate agent, who noticed the irrational fear clients seemed to have surrounding septic systems. Having lived in several homes with septic systems, dealt with numerous septic inspections and issues, and closed multiple homes with septic, he decided to provide a nationwide resource to help homeowners know how to properly maintain their system and to deal with whatever issues may arise.

Website: http://www.septichelp.org