Anyone here install their own septic

[grsthegreat]

I did my septic system about 2 years ago. Called around and got prices first, ranging from $8500 down to the lowest at $6500. Called the state environmental dept and found that for $100, you can take a simple test and get a permit. That $100 also includes 3 on site inspections. My total costs for 1000 gal tank, all the pipe, and all the stone was $1800. Our soil is sandy loam, not a rock to be had.... for a 3 BR house, only needed 200' of laterals 4' deep x 2' wide.

The specs will vary greatly from region to region, state to state, and even county to county. It was a no-brainer for me... just due to the cost savings...

if you can do it...go for it. The guys i know that do this work have dump trucks, trailers, excavators, insurance, etc to pay for. plus laborers, gravel delivery and usually less than good working environments....especially when having to repair failed systems.

personally, the guy i work with knows not to bother calling me for old systems. i wont work on any old, failing systems. not enough money in the world.

 

[ruffdog]

the guy i work with knows not to bother calling me for old systems. i wont work on any old, failing systems. not enough money in the world.

Many years ago, my sister worked for a septic installer and she had some real nasty stories too. :yuck:

 

[crazyal]

I would seriously think about having a system designed by an approved engineer. It shouldn't be too expensive and they know what to watch out for. When I installed my septic the guy came and made a map of my property with the locations of any wells and other features that could be impacted. That included a surface well my neighbor has. After I did the work of installing it my neighbor had a question about if his well was downstream. A simple call to the engineer was all it took. Had I done it on my own hen I would have been on the hook for trying to prove it was correct. Plus with an engineer you get a print of exactly what to do.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

you would never believe the junk ive see after nearly 40 years of electrical service. from one entire cabin wired in lamp cord (2 wire electrical light fixture cord wired inside walls),View attachment 682044

The moron that did that gives us real morons a bad name...

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I would seriously think about having a system designed by an approved engineer. It shouldn't be too expensive and they know what to watch out for. When I installed my septic the guy came and made a map of my property with the locations of any wells and other features that could be impacted. That included a surface well my neighbor has. After I did the work of installing it my neighbor had a question about if his well was downstream. A simple call to the engineer was all it took. Had I done it on my own hen I would have been on the hook for trying to prove it was correct. Plus with an engineer you get a print of exactly what to do.

My guy charged $ 800 bucks, that included the well, perk test (I dug the holes), drawing out the septic system, filling out the permits, and inspections. Money well spent...

 

[fried1765]

My guy charged $ 800 bucks, that included the well, perk test (I dug the holes), drawing out the septic system, filling out the permits, and inspections. Money well spent...

Your $800 fee would be at least $5,000 short in the Northeast!

 

[4570Man]

My guy charged $ 800 bucks, that included the well, perk test (I dug the holes), drawing out the septic system, filling out the permits, and inspections. Money well spent...

Here the the county perk test the lot ( for a fee of course ) and draws the system to the specs they think necessary. I’ve never heard of anyone paying an engineer to design one and I doubt the county inspector would approve it even if they did.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Here the the county perk test the lot ( for a fee of course ) and draws the system to the specs they think necessary. I’ve never heard of anyone paying an engineer to design one and I doubt the county inspector would approve it even if they did.

That's exactly how it was done here. God knows what they do in the next county over... :confused3:

 

[riptides]

About 20 to 40k more. LOL.

That's exactly how it was done here. God knows what they do in the next county over... :confused3:

 

[Jstpssng]

We have to have a site plan drawn up by a soil scientist, then get the town CEO (Code Enforcement Officer) approve it. All for a fee, of course. Permits are then filed with the state, and put into a database so that you can tell 30 years later if a septic was legally installed. Yes, it's bureaucracy at work but if you're buying a home at least you can tell whether the system is functional in the long term, or just a pipe dumping into a tank made of hemlock with an overflow out the other end. And I've seen the latter...