Septic System Install Cost Question

[GordonMuth]

We have a property in Wharton County, Texas and are preparing to start on our homestead so we can get out of the burbs (that are starting to feel a lot more like the city now). I met with a septic guy today and his seat of the pants opinion was that our system would need to handle 1000 gallons a day and would run about $11K. This was about double what I was expecting, but evidently we need to plan for at least 180 gallons of capacity for each habitable structure and our plan calls for 5 structures that could be lived in. Three of the structures are 12x20 cabins with one bathroom and no kitchen, one is a 12x30-40 summer kitchen with a bathroom and washer/dryer, and the fifth structure is a small one bedroom house with 2 bathrooms. We are also planning a bathroom in the workshop/garage and a trailer connection for our temporary home (while building).

I don't expect we will have even half of the water usage this system will accommodate (and would like to use the grey water in the orchard), but I was curious if this was a reasonable price for such a system. I was also curious if anyone else near Houston knows of a company that designs septic systems that might better meet our needs (and can explain/justify the design to the permit person to reduce the size required). Would also be up for getting additional quotes if anyone knows of any good septic installers in the Wharton County area.

Thanks.

- Gordon

 

[Ken73]

Is this a traditional gravel field septic system, or aerobic? Aerobic will definitely cost more as there are more working parts (air pump, water pump, etc.) but a gravel system requires trenches.

Another method is the "gravelless" trenches, where you basically have a half a corrugated pipe (think 2' diameter) buried for the leech lines. No gravel needed, so probably a bit cheaper, and potentially a lot smaller field.

I have a sort of "hybrid" system here, where I aerate my traditional tank so the aerobic bacteria can eat up the bad stuff fast, so it doesn't clog up the leech lines. My 40+ year old system that wasn't taken care of started to fail and that seems to have fixed it.

 

[C4Ranch]

Sounds about right to me. Could always get a second opinion. Aerobic makes a difference and may cost more if they hit rock and need to use a hammer, check the fine print.

 

[Terrydt100]

You might want to visit with the agency that inspects septic system and get there input. When I was inspecting systems for health Department in Oklahoma I was more then happy to work with with homeowner and give them options and hints on the system. They should also have average water use for each dwelling that you will have.

 

[Alan L.]

I have aerobic and it was $5500 about 12 years ago. But not sure how many gallons a day it handles. Supposed to be good for 5 bedroom house.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Sounds like you are planning to build your own subdivision. Build in phases and add the second system when your number of potential users require would be of interest if it was me.

 

[CurlyDave]

The calculations are based on bedrooms, not bathrooms. This gives a better estimate of actual usage.

Our house in Oregon has 4 bedrooms and we needed a system to handle 250 gallons per day.

What may be killing you is the 180 gallons per day per habitable structure. I would strongly consider consolidating the number of buildings down to 1 or 2. A bunch of 1 bedroom structures could easily be replaced with a single large house with a master suite and guest rooms.

 

[Western]

The way Texas works now (unless they changed it again in the last 3 years) A perk test is required to determine if you have to have aerobic or traditional system, then it has to be inspected. the quotes for aerobic I got where almost twice as much (3years ago) Luckily I was able to only need the traditional system.

11k sounds like allot for a 1000 gallons tank or 2 500 gallons set together like mine. Since construction fell off around here when I had mine done , I shopped around and got one put in for $2600 w/200' of lateral line.( 2- 500 gallon tanks) even still that was cheap. Most bids I received where in the 4-5k range.. Your situation sounds unique though.

Sounds like your building something like a bed and Breakfast, or camping type thing, so the added waste lines, may be a huge factor. I would definitely call around and get a few more quotes, but 11k may be in the "ballpark" with the design you have. If it is an aerobic system, that price wouldn't surprise me.

 

[GordonMuth]

This is an aerobic system. Most of the soil in our area has a high clay content and would fail a perc test, but on the plus side we don't have any trouble with the pond as long as we get enough rain to fill it.

Initially, this will be a home for a family of four, the kids will each get their own cabin (and mom and dad get an extra helping of peace and quiet) and the spare is a guest cabin since the main house is only one bedroom. Since I don't expect the kids to be living at home indefinitely, my plan was that in the future the cabins could be used for a bed and breakfast (with a grass-fed farm and self-reliance focus). If the economy goes South the cabins could also allow us to absorb friends and family that may be having hard times.

The distributed design was the result of wanting to build our own place that we could build at our own pace without a mortgage. Breaking up the spaces also allows us to heat/cool only the spaces we are using. The plan for the main house is actually split into a public and private side with a covered deck in the middle (a variation on a dog run/trot style). I figure we don't need to run the AC in the living and kitchen (public side) while we sleep and during the day we don't need to cool the bedroom side (private side). This design also allows us to sell off rooms/cabins that we don't need if the tax assessor gets a little too aggressive with our property valuation in the future.

- Gordon

 

[mjarrels]

Back in 1998/1999 we paid $5500 for a 550 gal per day for a three bedroom home. Price also included running copper water suppy line to home. At the same time, redid the intire old house system and repair work on neighbors dain field. Backhoe and dump truck didn't have to move for a week plus the guy was an old family friend.

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