Why we don't post a price list

We're a quote-matching service, not a pumping company, and Gulf Coast providers set their own prices. Quotes depend on your trap, your location, and how the job is scoped, so any single number would mislead you. Quotes vary. What we can do is explain what moves the price, so you know what to ask about. These are also the details providers will want when you request a quote.

1. Trap type and size

Size is usually the biggest factor. A small indoor or under-sink trap can be pumped quickly, with little waste to haul. A large outdoor interceptor, which can hold hundreds or thousands of gallons, needs a vacuum truck, more time on site, and more disposal capacity. Multi-compartment interceptors with several lids take longer still. If you don't know your size, check an old manifest or your building's plumbing plans, or choose "Not sure" on the form and let a provider measure it. See grease trap vs. grease interceptor.

2. How full it is, and how long since the last pump-out

A trap serviced on schedule is mostly liquid with a manageable grease cap. A neglected trap can be packed with hardened grease and settled food solids that take longer to break up and remove. First-time and overdue cleanings often cost more than routine visits for that reason.

3. What's included in the visit

Quotes aren't comparable unless the scope is. Under Harrison County Utility Authority (HCUA) rules, "clean" means the entire contents are removed, the walls are scraped or cleaned with high-pressure water, and the trap is pumped again. A quote that only skims the top may look cheaper but doesn't match that definition. Ask whether the price includes:

  • A full pump-out of grease, water, and solids
  • Scraping or jetting the walls and baffles, then re-pumping
  • A check of baffles, tees, lids, and gaskets
  • Transport and disposal of the waste
  • A signed manifest or service record

4. Access and location

  • Hose distance. If the truck can't park close to the trap, a long hose run adds time and equipment.
  • Indoor traps. Running hoses through a back door and kitchen means more setup and floor protection.
  • Buried or paved-over lids. If a provider has to find or uncover lids, expect it to show up in the quote.
  • Travel. Where you are on the Coast relative to a provider's base and disposal site can matter.

5. Scheduling: recurring, one-time, after-hours, or emergency

Many providers price a recurring service agreement differently from a one-off visit, because a regular route is easier to plan and the trap is in better shape each time. Requests for an exact time window, service before opening or after close, weekends, or same-day emergency response can all change the price. If your trap is backing up right now, see emergency grease trap service.

6. Hauler requirements

In HCUA's area, only HCUA-permitted haulers may remove grease trap waste. The regulation requires each hauler permit applicant to post a $5,000 bond, carry general liability and property damage insurance with at least $500,000 in coverage, keep vehicles in good repair, and hold a Mississippi State Department of Health license. Those are real costs of doing business legally, and one reason an unusually low quote deserves a second look. HCUA publishes its list of permitted haulers on its Grease Permits page.

7. Extra work

Hydro-jetting grease out of the line between the kitchen and the trap, camera inspections, and replacing broken baffles, tees, or lids are usually priced separately. Ask providers to list them as separate line items so you can compare.

Compliance costs to budget for

Some costs come from your sewer authority, not your pumping provider:

  • HCUA grease trap permit: every generator in HCUA's program must hold a permit and pay an annual fee. HCUA's checklist dated 1/19/2022 lists it as $120.00 per year; confirm the current amount with HCUA.
  • JCUA retail customers: JCUA's Rules and Regulations (revised March 9, 2026) list a $75.00 annual administrative fee and a $50.00 compliance inspection/visit fee for Category 2FS food service customers.

The cost of skipping a pump-out

Delaying service rarely saves money. In HCUA's area, a generator that goes 90 days without cleaning can be ordered to have its trap inspected and tested; if a violation is found, it pays for the inspection, testing, and cleaning plus fines, and continuing a violation past a written notice's deadline can be fined $50 to $500 per violation, per day. In Hancock County, a generator found responsible for blocking a sewer line faces civil penalties of $1,000, $1,500, and $2,000 for the first three violations within two years. Details are in our guide to HCUA fines and inspections.

How to get comparable quotes

  1. Know your trap type, approximate size, and last service date, or say you're not sure.
  2. Ask each provider for the same scope: full pump-out, scraping, and a manifest.
  3. Ask whether pricing is per visit, per gallon, or by contract, and what surcharges apply.
  4. Confirm they're permitted to haul grease trap waste in your county.
  5. Ask what interval they recommend, and why. See how often to pump a grease trap.

Fill out our free quote form and local providers serving Gulfport, Biloxi, Ocean Springs, and the rest of the Coast will contact you directly with pricing.