Buying and Installing Your Propane Tank Online

Long Beach Off-Coast Depot Professionals will help you through the process of selecting a tank for your home.

Residential customers can Get a Quote online.

Long Beach Off-Coast Depot representatives are always available at longbeachoffcoastport@gmail.com Just a few quick questions and our representative will be able to provide you with:

• A recommended tank size
• A price quote
• Details on the installation process
• Assistance with any local permits and paperwork (if necessary)
• An installation date that works best for you

Your initial service may include a survey of your property to provide the best recommendations for tank size and location. Your installation will include a walk-through of your new Long Beach Off-Coast Depot propane tank system and safety procedures.

Propane Tank Cost Factors

Your propane tank’s size and capacity, labor, prep work, and location are some of the biggest factors in your total tank installation spending. Let’s break down the most significant cost factors.

Tank Size and Capacity

Size has the biggest effect on the price of a propane tank. A 250-gallon propane tank costs between $900 and $1,800, while a 15-pound tank bought from the store might only be around $50.

It can feel a little confusing when comparing propane tank prices because some tanks might be labeled by the gallon while others are labeled by the pound. For the most part, larger tanks for whole-home systems will use gallons, while smaller tanks for outdoor grills and backup generators are more likely to use pounds. But this isn’t true in all cases, so you’ll want to keep a close eye on the propane tank you plan on purchasing to avoid buying the wrong size.

Propane Tank Size by Gallons

Propane tanks can cost as little as $150 if you’re buying a small tank to hook up to the grill and don’t require any labor or other installation expenses. However, for tanks to fuel your home and appliances, which come with installation costs, you’ll pay at least $3,850 and upwards of $5,500 or more for 1,000-gallon tanks. Here is a chart breaking down the cost of your propane tank by the gallon.

Propane Tank by Gallons	Average Price Range
Under 100 gallons	$35–$300
100 gallons	$350–$500
120 gallons	$400–$800
250 gallons	$500–$1,000
500 gallons	$700–$3,000
1,000 gallons	$1,500–$5,500

Propane Tank Size by Pounds

One gallon of propane is roughly a little more than four pounds. It’s not uncommon for manufacturers to label 100-gallon units by the pound, so be on the lookout for a 420-pound tank size on the label to quickly identify the correct tank size. Here’s a breakdown of common propane tanks by the pound and their average price range:

Propane Tank by Pounds	Average Price Range
15 lb	$105–$255
20 lb	$200–$350
100 lb	$300–$550
200 lb	$550–$1,700
420 lb	$800–$2,800

Labor

Whereas the price of the tank itself only costs between $830 and $3,500 depending on the capacity, the price for labor can range anywhere from $1,850 to $5,000.

Location

If you’re just installing a small propane tank for an outdoor grill, you might only pay for the tank and the propane. Installing a propane tank underground is where you’ll see the biggest cost disparity—underground tank installations cost $1,800 to $2,700 more than aboveground tanks.

Prep

If you’re installing an underground propane tank, anticipate spending more to prepare the site for the installation. You’ll spend anywhere between $150 to $500 per cubic yard to excavate the area. Some aboveground tanks require a concrete slab, which costs $250 to $575.

Permits

Permits can cost around $250 to $550, depending on your location, tank size, and zoning requirements. Obtaining permits ensures that your tank is compliant, protecting both your property and the surrounding environment. It also hedges you against fines during the installation process.

Concrete Pads

Concrete pads cost anywhere from $50 to $175 on average or between $4 and $25 per square foot, depending on how thick you pour them. Before you can install an aboveground tank, you’ll need to make sure you have a place to put it. Concrete pads—also called concrete slabs—are required by most municipalities. The size you need depends on the number of gallons your propane tank holds:

Tank Size	Pads Cost
120 gallons	$50–$75
250 gallons	$75–$125
500 gallons	$125–$175

Propane Tank Removal

If you’re replacing an old propane tank with a new one, you could pay as little as $500 or as much as $3,500 to remove the old one. The vast price difference comes down to the cost of excavating the area to remove a below-ground tank versus the cost of simply unhooking an aboveground tank and having it hauled away. If you need to replace the concrete pad, that will be an additional expense of around $800.

Gas Line Installation

The average cost to run an underground gas line is $740, but it can range anywhere from $850 to $1,500 for the average homeowner. How much you’ll pay depends on how long you need the line to be in order to operate, with costs between $50 and $85 per linear foot.

Ongoing Expenses

Adding a propane tank to your property entails some recurring costs associated with its maintenance and operation.

Filling the Tank

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average price of propane is $2.58 per gallon as of March 2024. For a 250-gallon propane tank, that would amount to $645 for one fill. It’s important to note that prices vary greatly depending on where you live, with some states averaging roughly $3.60 per gallon and others averaging over $8 per gallon.

Inspections

You’ll need to undergo annual inspections to ensure your tank complies with safety standards. Inspections cost $250 to $575 a year. This inspection checks for leaks, secure valves, and proper placement of the tank.

Propane Tank Rentals

You might decide to rent a propane tank to leave the installation hassle (including regulatory compliance) for the company you’re leasing from, but it also means you’ll pay more overall. You’ll spend between $850 and $1,800 yearly for a rental tank—though some companies only charge you for the cost of propane. You might find that they charge you a higher rate per gallon than you’d get if you filled a tank you owned.

Aboveground vs. Underground Propane Cost Factors

You’ll see a noticeable difference in the cost of your propane tank depending on whether you choose an aboveground or underground propane system. Again, underground tanks cost $1,100 to $4,700 more than aboveground ones. Let’s look at what plays a part in impacting these price differences.

Factor	Aboveground Tank	Underground Tank
Cost	$400–$3,500	$1,500–$5,500
Maintenance	Easier to maintain due to being visible and accessible	Requires special equipment and expertise to maintain and inspect
Longevity	More susceptible to damage and corrosion	Longer lifespan due to reduced exposure to outside elements
Best for	Areas prone to flooding	Preserving property landscape

Aboveground Propane Tanks

The price for an aboveground propane tank falls between $400 and $5,500 for a 100-gallon and 1,000-gallon tank, respectively. If you live in a region prone to flooding, installing an aboveground tank is likely your best option.

The main downside is that aboveground tanks are exposed, meaning they’re more subject to weather conditions and may be visually unattractive on your property.

Underground Propane Tanks

Underground propane tanks cost more than aboveground propane tanks. You’ll spend between $1,500 and $5,500 or more to install one. This comes down to a few additional labor expenses:

• Excavation costs: $500–$3,400

• Plumbing costs: $45–$200 per hour
• Trench costs: $400–$1,800 per 100 linear feet

• Gas line costs: $120–$1,950

You might want to choose a below-ground tank if you don’t want your tank to be visible. These tanks are also temperature-controlled. At the same time, it’s harder to know when there’s an issue with an underground tank and harder to access, making it important to stay on top of yearly maintenance services.