How to Choose a Septic Company in Texas (2026)

Check that the company holds a current TCEQ license, get at least 3 written quotes, and verify they carry liability insurance before hiring any Texas septic provider.

Hiring the wrong septic company can mean shoddy work, unnecessary repairs, or failed county inspections that cost $1,000 to $20,000 to fix. With roughly 20% of new Texas homes using septic systems (according to TCEQ), the state takes licensing seriously. Anyone doing paid septic work in Texas must hold a current TCEQ license, and the agency actively investigates complaints about unlicensed operators.

This guide walks you through the specific licenses to verify, questions to ask, and red flags that should send you to the next company on your list.

Step	What to Do	Why It Matters
1. Verify TCEQ License	Look up the company on TCEQ's online portal	Unlicensed work is illegal and can void permits
2. Match License to Job	Confirm they hold the right license type for your work	An Installer I can't do aerobic systems
3. Get 3+ Written Quotes	Compare labor, materials, permits, timeline separately	Quotes for the same job vary 30-50%
4. Check Insurance	Ask for general liability and workers' comp proof	Protects you if something goes wrong on your property
5. Call References	Talk to 2+ recent customers	Reveals patterns in quality, pricing, and reliability

What TCEQ Licenses Should a Septic Company Have?

Every septic professional doing paid work in Texas must hold a current TCEQ license. The type of license depends on the work being performed.

Per TCEQ's occupational licensing program (30 TAC Chapter 285), there are four main license types for septic professionals:

License Type	What They Can Do	Requirements
Installer I	Install, construct, and repair standard septic systems	Application ($111), pass TCEQ exam
Installer II	All Installer I work plus complex and alternative systems	Hold Installer I for 1+ year, 3 verified installations, pass exam
Designated Representative	Perform site evaluations, inspections, and complaint investigations	Work for a county authorized agent, pass exam
Maintenance Provider	Maintain aerobic systems (required quarterly inspections)	Hold Installer II or Class C+ Wastewater Operator license with 3 years experience

Why the license type matters to you: If you need an aerobic system installed, you want an Installer II, not an Installer I. If you have an aerobic system that needs its required maintenance contract, the company needs a Maintenance Provider license. Standard pumping doesn't require an installer license, but the company should be a TCEQ-registered sludge hauler.

All TCEQ licenses renew every 3 years with continuing education requirements. An expired license means the company isn't keeping up with current regulations, and TCEQ can take enforcement action against anyone working with a lapsed license.

How to Verify a Company's TCEQ License

You can verify any septic professional's license for free on the TCEQ website in about 2 minutes.

Here's how to check:

1. Go to the TCEQ Occupational Licensing page (search "TCEQ septic licenses")
2. Use the online lookup tool to search by name, license number, or company name
3. Confirm the license is active (not expired or suspended)
4. Check the license type matches the work you need done
5. Note the expiration date

If a company can't give you a license number or tells you "we're in the process of getting licensed," move on. There's no legitimate reason for a working septic professional in Texas to be unlicensed.

One exception: Texas law allows homeowners to work on their own septic system on their own single-family home that they live in, without a license. But anyone doing paid work must be licensed. No exceptions.

What Should You Compare When Getting Septic Quotes?

Get at least 3 written quotes from different licensed companies. A good estimate should break down labor, materials, permits, and timeline separately.

When comparing quotes, make sure each one includes:

• Detailed scope of work (what exactly they'll do)
• Materials list with specific products and sizes
• Labor costs broken out from materials
• Permit fees and who handles the application
• Timeline from start to completion
• Payment schedule (avoid companies demanding full payment upfront)
• Warranty terms on both parts and labor

A quote that says "$12,000 for septic installation" without any breakdown is a red flag. You need to know what you're paying for so you can make real comparisons between companies.

Price Differences to Expect

Quotes for the same job can vary by 30-50%. Some of that is legitimate. A company with more experience, better equipment, or a stronger warranty will often charge more. But if one quote is dramatically lower than the others, ask why. They may be cutting corners on materials, skipping steps, or planning to charge extras later.

To put costs in perspective: drain field repairs typically run $1,000 to $5,000 with a licensed contractor in Central Texas, while full system replacement costs $5,000 to $20,000 statewide. Unlicensed work that fails inspection can add $250 to $1,500 in permit resubmission fees alone, on top of paying a licensed contractor to redo the job correctly.

For reference on what services should cost, see our septic pumping cost guide and installation cost breakdown.

What Are the Red Flags When Hiring a Septic Company?

Walk away from any septic company that can't show you a current TCEQ license, won't provide a written estimate, or pressures you into immediate decisions.

Watch for these warning signs:

Licensing red flags:

• Can't provide a TCEQ license number
• License is expired or doesn't match the work they're proposing
• Claims they don't need a license (they do, for paid work)
• Workers on-site aren't the licensed person and aren't supervised by one

Pricing red flags:

• Verbal quotes only, refuses to put it in writing
• Demands full payment before work starts
• Quote has no breakdown of costs
• Price is dramatically lower than other bids (cutting corners)
• Cash-only payment with no receipt

Business practice red flags:

• No proof of liability insurance
• Won't provide references from recent Texas jobs
• Pressures you with "act now" urgency
• Offers to skip permits or inspections ("we'll save you money")
• Suggests work your system doesn't actually need

That last one is worth expanding on. Some companies will tell you your drain field needs replacement when it really just needs pumping. Or they'll push an aerobic conversion when your conventional system works fine. If something sounds expensive and unexpected, get a second opinion from another licensed provider.

What Questions Should You Ask Before Hiring a Septic Company?

Ask about licensing, insurance, experience with your system type, and what happens if something goes wrong after the work is done.

Here's a checklist of questions to ask each company:

About their qualifications:

• What TCEQ license do you hold, and what's the number?
• How long have you been doing septic work in this county?
• Have you worked on my type of system before?

About the job:

• Who specifically will be doing the work on my property?
• Will you handle the permit application and inspections?
• What's your timeline from start to finish?

About protection:

• Do you carry general liability insurance? What are the limits?
• Do you have workers' compensation for your crew?
• What warranty do you offer on parts and labor?
• What happens if the work fails inspection?

About costs:

• Can I get a detailed written estimate?
• What could cause the price to change?
• What's your payment schedule?

Don't feel awkward asking these questions. A good company expects them and answers without hesitation. A company that gets defensive or vague is telling you something important.

How Should You Check References and Reviews?

Talk to at least 2 recent customers, and check Google reviews for patterns rather than individual complaints.

Every company will give you their best references. That's fine. When you call, ask specific questions:

• Did the work come in on budget?
• Were they on time?
• Did they handle the permit process smoothly?
• Would you hire them again?

For online reviews, look at the pattern over the last year. Every company gets an occasional bad review. What matters is how they respond and whether the same complaints come up repeatedly. Multiple reviews mentioning surprise charges, missed appointments, or incomplete work are patterns you should take seriously.

Also check with your county's environmental health office. They work with local septic companies regularly and can tell you which ones do reliable work and which ones generate complaints. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension's OSSF program (ossf.tamu.edu) is another reliable resource for understanding system types and maintenance requirements.

What Extra Steps Do Aerobic System Owners Need to Take?

If you have an aerobic system, your maintenance provider must hold a TCEQ Maintenance Provider license and offer the required 2-year maintenance contract with quarterly visits.

Aerobic systems use mechanical components to treat wastewater, which means they need more hands-on attention than conventional septic tanks. The EPA recommends that alternative systems with mechanical components (including aerobic units) receive annual inspections at minimum. Texas goes further: TCEQ requires aerobic systems to have active maintenance contracts. The maintenance provider must:

• Hold a TCEQ Maintenance Provider license (not just an Installer license)
• Perform quarterly inspections
• Submit compliance reports to your county every 4 months (per TCEQ requirements)
• Respond to alarms and system issues between visits

If your current provider isn't doing quarterly visits or submitting reports, your system is out of compliance. That can become a problem during a home sale or if a neighbor complains.

For more on aerobic maintenance requirements, see our aerobic maintenance guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do my own septic work in Texas?

Yes, but only on your own single-family home where you live, and only if you're not being paid. You still need to follow all TCEQ design and permitting rules. You'll need a licensed site evaluator for soil testing and a professional engineer or registered sanitarian for system design. Most homeowners hire licensed installers because the requirements are complex.

How do I report an unlicensed septic company in Texas?

Contact TCEQ's enforcement division or your county's authorized agent. You can file a complaint online through the TCEQ website. Include the company name, what work they performed, and any documentation you have. TCEQ investigates complaints about unlicensed septic work.

Should I hire the cheapest company?

Not automatically. The lowest bid often means shortcuts on materials, skipped steps, or change orders later. Compare the total value: licensing, insurance, warranty, timeline, and reputation. A company charging 20% more but offering a 5-year warranty and handling all permits may save you money in the long run.

How often should I have my septic system serviced?

Pump conventional systems every 3-5 years. Aerobic systems need quarterly maintenance visits plus pumping every 3-5 years. Your household size, water usage, and system type affect the exact schedule. For a detailed breakdown, see our pumping frequency guide.

What should I do if a septic company did bad work?

Document everything with photos, contact the company in writing, and file a complaint with TCEQ if they won't resolve it. If the work was done without proper permits, your county's authorized agent should be notified too. You may also have grounds for a complaint with the Texas Attorney General's consumer protection division.

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Last updated: February 7, 2026 Reviewed by: Texas Septic Guide Editorial Team, content verified against TCEQ licensing requirements and Texas provider industry practices

Looking for a licensed septic company in Texas? Get free quotes from vetted providers in your area

Sources: TCEQ occupational licensing requirements (30 TAC Chapter 285); TCEQ OSSF maintenance rules; EPA SepticSmart Homeowner's Guide; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension OSSF program; Texas provider industry surveys 2025-2026.