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Find Septic system installers and replacers in San Francisco

Avatar for J Drains Rooter Service
J Drains Rooter Service
4.8(
13
)

Serving San Francisco, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2007

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Everything went well. Eric was very polite and informative. He showed me the old pipe, which was clearly very deeply clogged with roots from a nearby tree. The work was well-done and the site was left clean. He did it all in one day, which we very much appreciated as it caused minimal disruption to the tenants.
"
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+4

Recommended by91%of homeowners
Avatar for Caccia Home Services
Caccia Home Services
4.6(
150
)

Serving San Francisco, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 1979

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"It was recommended from an air quality specialist that I might have a leak behind the shower worth examining. I called Caccia and they said someone could come out the next day.
James showed up a little early. I received a call from dispatch prior to his arrival to confirm if this would be acceptable. He described what I should expect from the visit: discussion, evaluation, assessment, pricing and execution of services. I was initially interested in 1) investigating possible leak behind shower  2) repair of sink faucet and 3) replacement of toilet.
I checked the flow rate of the current toilet and discovered that it was 1.6 gallons/flush. I decided not to replace it. James concurred with my decision stating that it was still a water-saving toilet. He let me know that there were alternatives that had a lower rate of consumption.
He looked at the sink and he looked at the shower. He proceeded to explain to me what he could do to determine if repair/replacement was needed. He bluntly said that for the sink, it made sense to replace rather than repair the faucet. He was critical about the quality of the manufacturer and said that it would be better bang for buck to get a better quality set than attempt to repair the existing one. He priced out various options. He suggested additional work that could be added since the replacement of faucet would allow for secondary work (tail pipe and p-trap) at a reduced rate since the sink would already be pulled out. He gave separate estimates with him providing the faucet and with me providing the faucet. The prices were higher than I would have hoped. The delta between my buying one or having one provided by Caccia was about $300 dollars. I elected to hold off on the repair of the faucet.  I may try to DIY or at least get an estimate from another plumber.
For the shower, I elected to have James pull the plate off to examine if the cartridge for the mixer needed replacement. He explained that if he had the part in the truck, he could waive the fee for the examination and charge for parts and labor for the replacement of the cartridge. He explained that if the part were not in his truck, another visit would have to be scheduled and the price for the initial examination could not be applied to the second visit. We discussed different levels of service I could request and their prices. I chose the cheaper service (as described above) rather than the full check of mixer, drain and waste and surrounding tile.
Pulling off plate revealed little or no water presence behind the shower wall. He pointed out a tiny drip occurring at the mixer which was emptying out into the shower space and not the wall. The rate of leak did not increase appreciably when pressure was applied to the system by shutting flow off at the shower head.
We went in crawlspace to look for evidence of any leakage beneath the tub. Although there was evidence of previous water damage (corroborating what our initial home inspection stated) there was no moisture perceptible from crawlspace.
Joseph was professional and courteous throughout. He helped me understand what I was seeing while he was working. He gave a useful overview of the plumbing underneath the house. He commented that he saw some good work that had been previously done.
"
The Caccia Family
Meet Geno Caccia - Owner of James Caccia Plumbing
Our Truck
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Recommended by93%of homeowners
Avatar for Resendiz Handyman & Plumbing
Resendiz Handyman & Plumbing
5.0(
6
)

Serving San Francisco, CA and surrounding areas

Free estimates

"The plumbing was installed professionally and prompt. He worked off the drawing dimensions and there was no re-work needed. What i liked was that he recommended i purchase quality rough valves and drains because of the parts proven longevity and limited failure rates, no one wants to redo a bathroom. We passed the rough plumbing on schedule thanks to the quality of work."
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+21

Recommended by100%of homeowners
CLM Excavating, Inc.
4.6(
7
)

Serving San Francisco, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2020

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"Home Advisor does not have the specific category for the work that was performed of replacement of graded retaining wall up my driveway and around a structure. The work utilized excavation, concrete, wood & construction. Cristian, the owner, was the epitomy of professionalism as with every crew member. Firstly, he did not try to sell me on something I did not want, much appreciated. The job was meticulously executed in record time at the price I could pay. This job has been on my bucket list for years... finally completed with a job well done!"
Basement
Basement
Basement
Basement
Electrical conduit

+28

Response time1 day
Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Plumbing 24/7
Plumbing 24/7
4.4(
9
)

Serving San Francisco, CA and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"It went extremely well. The Plumber Uriel, was on time, and explained everything to me. He immediately diagnosed the problem and corrected it. He also made me aware of corrective measures I can take in the future. I highly recommend him! He is honest and fair!"
Plumbing Project
Plumbing Project
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+23

Recommended by88%of homeowners
Avatar for American Home Shield – Home Warranty
American Home Shield – Home Warranty
3.5(
5,688
)

Serving San Francisco, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 1971

Credit card accepted

"AHS is ok. They cover repairs of most everything under the roof of your house. The companies that contract with them are not always the best. You call AHS with the issue, they send a fax to the repair company and give you the contact info. If they don't contact you within 24 hours, you call them. Sometimes they answer, sometimes they don't. When they arrive (usually three days or so later), they service the item. if it has issues within the 90 days, you call AHS again, they are sent out with no charge. If the serviceman decides the unit is unrepairable, AHS will allow you to choose a replacement from their listing (usually not as good as what you have) they will install and remove your old item, or give you wholesale amount to buy and install your own. Prices vary on what you want covered and what you want the copay to be, plus where you live. For me it is 49.99 per month with a 75.00 time of service order. You can have more than one item serviced at the same time under the same fee. If you have a SEAR product the repair guys are great. Not that wild about the other ones they send out. But it is a big savings compared to calling someone on your own. The cost of service is only the 75.00 copay."
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+2

Recommended by65%of homeowners
CT Allmon Development
4.3(
6
)

Serving San Francisco, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I had a problem at my vacation rental. John contacted me quickly when I posted my problem for quotes online. I had a failing septic. It was no longer draining. John came out and accessed the the situation and based on faulty drawings I supplied, he gave me an estimate for repair. I agreed to the figure. When he discovered that the drawings were wrong and he only had to dig up 5 feet (not 14) between the septic tank and the seep box he lowered his estimate. You can't ask for more honesty and fairness. He and his worker completed the job in less than 2 days. Hire him!"
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Recommended by100%of homeowners
Avatar for Con's Backhoe
Con's Backhoe
5.0(
2
)

Serving San Francisco, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 1960

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

Con's Backhoe has been in the industry for over 45 years! We pride ourselves on our industry knowledge and top quality work. Please call to discuss your septic and excavation needs!

Response time7 hrs
Recommended by100%of homeowners
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FAQs for septic system installation and replacement projects in San Francisco, CA

The smallest standard septic system uses a 500-gallon tank, which costs between $875 and $1,150 installed. This size works well for single-occupant dwellings with minimal wastewater production. However, many local regulations specify minimum tank sizes, so check with your building department before committing to this compact option. Some jurisdictions require at least 750 gallons regardless of home size to ensure adequate waste processing capacity.

The installation timeline varies based on site conditions, permit processing, and contractor schedules. The process includes obtaining permits, conducting soil tests, excavation, tank placement, leach field construction, and final connections. Weather conditions, soil challenges, and inspection scheduling can all affect the overall timeline. It's wise to begin planning well in advance of when you need the system operational.

The most economical approach is to install a conventional anaerobic system with a plastic tank. To minimize costs while maintaining legality, obtain multiple quotes from licensed installers, consider scheduling during their slower seasons, and handle basic site preparation yourself. Never skip permits or required testing to save money—illegal installations can result in significant fines and mandatory removal, ultimately costing far more than doing it right initially.

Regular pumping helps prevent system failures and extends operational life. Most small systems require pumping every three to five years, though frequency depends on household size and usage patterns. Pumping services cost between $290 and $530, making this maintenance expense relatively minor compared to potential repair costs ranging from $500 to $2,600 for neglected systems. Establishing a regular maintenance schedule based on your installer's recommendations helps avoid costly emergency services.

The San Francisco, CA homeowners’ guide to septic system installations and replacements

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.