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Find Septic system installers and replacers in Santa Barbara

Avatar for All  American Plumbing & Drain
All American Plumbing & Drain
5.0(
124
)

Serving Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2021

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"I needed to have the gas valve for kitchen stove replaced. Felix had his brother come over that afternoon. He called the company who was going to install the new stove to ensure he put the correct valve in. Excellent service."
Response time4 hrs
Response rate90%
27 neighbors recently requested a quote
Affordable Construction Services
4.8(
22
)

Serving Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 1997

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"Dan was awesome! Not only was his estimate reasonable, it was almost $3000.00 lower than the highest bid that we got. He communicated with us before, during and after the installation. He was on time, was careful around existing planters and pathways. This job was not an easy one. The old septic was 60 years old and tucked right up against the house. It required a 26' trench that had to be dug by hand as no piece of equipment would fit. At the end of the job, he moved two tree stumps for us and regraded the dirt road, just because the tractor was already here. Service above and beyond! We would highly recommend him!"
Response time2 days
7 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by95%of homeowners
Avatar for Stellar Sewers Coastal Plumbing
Stellar Sewers Coastal Plumbing
4.8(
9
)

Serving Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2025

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"We had a mess with the old water main. The team came out and safed off the area, dug trenches, removed and replaced the line. All in a timely manner and charged the price that was quoted, not adding additional as many companies do."
Drain Root Removal
Sewer Water Damage
Drain Root Removal
Root Removal Proof
Root Intrusion

+60

Response time3 hrs
Response rate98%
Avatar for DrainMasters
DrainMasters
4.0(
109
)

Serving Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"The 50 year old septic system for our home was breaking down. Not just the tank itself, but the leach lines were crumbling. Drain Masters completely overhauled the system and despite the expense we are very satisfied."
Drain Masters Truck
Response time3 days
16 neighbors recently requested a quote
Recommended by82%of homeowners
Avatar for The Drain Guys Plumbing and Rooter
The Drain Guys Plumbing and Rooter
4.7(
16
)

Serving Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2010

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"My house is very old so we have been having lots of drain/pipes issues.  With 5 grown kids in the house you can imagine what happens when a bathroom is down.  Thank goodness I found The Drain Guys through YELP! My drains knows no time/day it wants to back up and normally it never happens during business hours.  This company not only came out after hours but came out within the hour and relieved me of my problems fast, quick and it was worth the $99.00 charge.  Ed was very professional (some techs are mad when they have to work OT), friendly, put my mind to ease and even looked at another problem (faucet) without hesitation or charging me to just give me an estimate for the faucet.  I had him come back the next day to fix my faucet and gave FREE inspection underneath my house. First class service with AFFORDABLE prices.  When the office called me to let me know they were with Angie's List I jumped at the change to enroll JUST TO PUT OUT THIS REVIEW!  Great Job Drain Guys!  You have a customer for life. [Member name removed]"
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+5

Recommended by90%of homeowners
Avatar for Richco Plumbing Inc
Richco Plumbing Inc
4.6(
107
)

Serving Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"The Friday before Thanksgiving we discovered large puddles in our laundry room and hallway. My dad, ever the handyman, tried to find the leak but grew distraught when he realized the water was coming from inside the walls and not our washing machine. That night, not wanting to chance my dad trying to fix it or worse, a friend of a friend, I became a member of Angie's list and looked for a reputable plumber nearby open on the weekends.
I called Saturday morning and they arrived same day Saturday afternoon (I told them it wasn't a major leak). They looked everywhere for the leak, moved our washer and dryer, opened up the wall, etc. They were able to isolate it to the hot water and advised us to leave the hot water off at night when the water pressure increased. Sunday they charge double, so we opted to continue on Monday. On Moday, first thing in the morning 8AM  they brought in a specialist with the fancy audio leak detection device seen on their website, which was kinda neat. A manager came by and told us there were a few other issues, but it turned out we just needed a new water heater (ours was over 10 years old, installed by my father and not up to code) and a pressure regulator. We were quoted a bit over 5k for everything, which was around how much we thought it was going to be, so that worked out. They came back on Tuesday at 8 AM and worked all day and restored hot water by 6. Thanksgiving was saved~! Hurray~! 
Service was excellent, everything was up to code. They taped down crate paper on the floors of the places they worked in, replaced the drywall, bolted everything into place, moved a bunch of heavy stuff without help--everything looked great when it was done. We're all pretty impressed and would use Richco again in the future.
"
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Recommended by88%of homeowners
Avatar for Bob & Marc Plumbing Heating & Air
Bob & Marc Plumbing Heating & Air
4.5(
104
)

Serving Santa Barbara, CA and surrounding areas

In business since 1989

"While this was not the lowest price bid for the job, I am glad we chose Bob and Marc plumbing.  The service technician was extremely knowledgeable and competent.  He found excellent solutions to the installation challenges in our home.   Installation in our house was very challenging and they did an amazing job. 


"
Recommended by89%of homeowners
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FAQs for septic system installation and replacement projects in Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara, 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.