The cost of a propane tank is five things added together: the tank itself, delivery, installation, any permit fees, and the first fill of propane. The tank price depends on capacity, on whether it is new or used, and on whether it sits above ground or is buried. The table below lists every tank we sell with its current price and the installation add-on, so you can see the first two or three of those numbers before you speak to anyone.
What tanks cost here today
Lowest listed price for each tank we sell, read from the live catalog. Tanks ship empty; delivery is one flat rate shown at checkout.
| Capacity | Type | Condition | Tank price | Installation add-on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.2 gallon | Cylinder / portable | New | $695.00 | Not offered |
| 45.6 gallon | Cylinder / portable | New | $749.99 | Not offered |
| 120 gallon | Above ground | New | $915.00 | $850.00 |
| 120 gallon | Underground | Used / refurbished | $700.00 | $1,600.00 |
| 250 gallon | Above ground | New | $1,250.00 | $1,150.00 |
| 250 gallon | Underground | New | $1,700.00 | $1,950.00 |
| 320 gallon | Above ground | New | $1,800.00 | $1,150.00 |
| 325 gallon | Above ground | New | $1,350.00 | $1,150.00 |
| 500 gallon | Above ground | New | $1,650.00 | $1,450.00 |
| 500 gallon | Underground | New | $3,800.00 | $2,400.00 |
| 1,000 gallon | Above ground | New | $3,500.00 | $1,950.00 |
| 1,000 gallon | Underground | New | $4,550.00 | $4,400.00 |
| 2,000 gallon | Underground | New | $4,350.00 | Quoted for the site |
What goes into the total
A tank quote that shows only the tank price leaves most of the bill out. Before you compare sellers, put each of these on the same sheet.
1. The tank
Capacity drives price more than anything else, followed by condition and placement. A tank built for burial costs more than the same capacity above ground, because it carries a coating for soil contact and is fitted for a dome at grade. Used and refurbished tanks cost far less than new, with the trade-offs covered below. Every tank we sell ships empty.
2. Delivery
Our tanks travel by freight or LTL from the nearest of our three US yards, in Michigan, Missouri and Texas, to any address in the 48 contiguous states. Delivery is one flat rate, shown and charged at checkout, with no separate freight invoice afterwards. Delivery is curbside with liftgate service: moving the tank to its pad is part of installation, not delivery.
3. Installation
Many of our tanks offer professional installation as a fixed-price add-on at checkout, carried out by a licensed local installer we arrange. For an above ground tank that covers a level pad, setting and securing the tank at code-compliant setbacks, the first-stage regulator and up to 25 ft of gas line, and a leak test of every joint, documented for your propane supplier. For an underground tank it also covers excavation, bedding and backfill in standard ground, setting the tank at the required depth with an anode bag, and the dome. That is why buried installation costs more than above ground for the same capacity.
4. What installation does not cover
- Permits and any fees charged by your local authority having jurisdiction.
- Gas line beyond 25 ft, and connecting appliances inside the home.
- For buried tanks: rock that has to be broken or blasted, a water table that needs dewatering, relocating buried services that were not marked before the dig, and landscaping beyond backfilling the hole.
Large commercial tanks are quoted for the site rather than priced online, because siting and access decide the work.
5. The first fill
A licensed propane supplier makes the first fill on site once the tank is set and tested. When you own the tank you choose that supplier and can shop around on price; see buying vs leasing a propane tank for what owning involves.
New or used: where the savings are
A used tank can cost a fraction of a new one at the same capacity, and for many buyers that is the right call. What you take on is the history of the vessel: ask for the data plate details, expect your propane supplier to inspect it before the first fill, and budget for the installation and fittings either way. Installation add-ons are priced the same for new and used tanks of the same capacity, so the saving is in the tank alone.
Above ground or underground: the cost difference
Above ground is the cheaper installation: a prepared pad and no excavation. Underground costs more twice, once in the tank and again in the dig, and in return the tank disappears from the yard. Compare the two side by side in the table, then read underground vs above ground propane tanks before you decide.
How to estimate your own total
- Pick the capacity your home or business needs; the propane tank size chart helps.
- Find that size in the table above and note the tank price and installation add-on.
- Add the flat delivery rate shown at checkout.
- Ask your local authority whether a permit is needed and what it costs.
- Ask two or three propane suppliers for a price on the first fill.
If anything on your site is unusual, such as a long run to the house, rock, a high water table or tight truck access, tell us before you order and we will say what changes.
Common questions
Does the price of a propane tank include the propane?
No. Every tank we sell ships empty. Once the tank is set and the system has been leak-tested, a licensed propane supplier makes the first fill on site, and you pay that supplier for the propane. Owning the tank means you can choose that supplier and compare prices each time you refill.
Is delivery included in the tank price?
Delivery is charged separately as one flat rate, shown and charged at checkout, so the total you see before paying is the total you pay. Tanks ship by freight or LTL from the nearest of our three yards to any address in the 48 contiguous states, curbside with liftgate service.
Why does an underground propane tank cost more to install?
Because the installation includes the excavation, bedding and backfill, setting the tank at the required depth with an anode bag, and fitting the dome, on top of the regulator, gas line and leak test that every installation needs. The tank itself also costs more, since it is built for soil contact.
Are permits included in the installation price?
No. Permits and any fees charged by your local authority having jurisdiction are not included in our installation add-on. Requirements differ between towns and counties, so ask your local building or fire department before you order, and your installer can tell you what they need to see.
Is a used propane tank worth it?
It can be, if you accept the trade-off. A used or refurbished tank costs far less than a new one of the same capacity, but it has a service history, so confirm the data plate details and expect your propane supplier to inspect it before the first fill. Installation costs the same either way.