Sewer Hookup and Backhoe

[KTurner]

Our county is putting a sewer system in our neighborhood that we have to hook up to. Something about EPA and chesapeake bay pollution.

In the family, there are three houses that need to be hooked up (cha-ching). They said a general rule of thumb is $20/ft for a plumber to run the line from the house to the hookup point. One run ~65ft, one at ~100ft and the last at ~200ft. That's about $7,000. There's no significant obstacles that I can see (not heavily wooded, no major elevation changes). Not sure exactly how the water lines run, but thats what 'call before you dig' is for.

I have a Ford/NH 3230 (2wd, no remotes). I'm considering trying to find a used 3PH backhoe and getting the needed parts to run the hydraulics so that I can do the digging myself and save some money. This would be the first time I've ever done any digging work. I don't know that I'd have a use for the backhoe after this project, so I could probably sell it after I'm done to reclaim most of the purchase price - but keep the hydraulic remotes. I've thought about renting, but that would make me feel rushed to get the job done quickly. I would still need to either switch the line over myself, or find a plumber willing to do the job with me doing the trench. And the county require that the existing septic tank be pumped and filled/crushed/etc

Is this a really bad idea or a way to save some money (and add hydraulics to the tractor)? Any been-there-done-that words of wisdom? I have about a year to figure this out.

Keith

 

[bucktaker]

unless you have other needs for it. Rent a track hoe or backhoe for a weekend. save more money

 

[JB4310]

Yeah rent a mini excavator, will do much better and faster job than anything you buy.

Sewer install is pretty easy provided you have no major grade changes that work against you.

Does your house sewer go thru the wall of your basement, or under the floor.

Usually with septic it goes thru the wall, if you upgrade to sewer, you can go below floor for future gravity drains. But that requires you to dig deeper near the house, and depending on the topography of your yard, may have to stay deeper the whole way.

JB

 

[Coyote machine]

Rent. By the time you find a workable hoe for your tractor, pay for it and rear remotes and then the steep learning curve to dig with it and then try to do several ditches to state specs you could rent a hoe and hire a guy to run it and be done. Plus resale recoup is not what you think it's going to be.
Rent- job done.

 

[Luremaker]

I don't think you guys understand... he "wants" us to say "buy the hoe attachment", "many future uses", "best thing I every bought was my hoe", "go for the hoe"

I say if you will have other uses for the backhoe attachment look around and see what the total cost will be. This might be your only opportunity to purchase a family subsidized hoe or it may backfire and you may end up subsidizing your family's sewer installations.

 

[Bigkrank]

Around this area you are required to go to a class to be able to do it yourself then they come out and inspect it before you cover it up. Just some thing else to be aware of.

 

[Mark Page]

I've got money that says it'll still cost $20.00 per foot. There'll be some bogus reason why your work will be inferior. Not deep enough or too deep or you didn't finish in time to accomodate the plumber's schedule. Those guy's are all in bed together. Had the same problem with the electric company when we ran power to the stables. Trench had too many turns. I dug it to avoid damaging a bunch of Hollys that I paid dearly for.

 

[Coyote machine]

Hey, you've got a YEAR! Break out the neighborhood kids with a shovel!!:thumbsup:

 

[Luremaker]

I've got money that says it'll still cost $20.00 per foot. There'll be some bogus reason why your work will be inferior. Not deep enough or too deep or you didn't finish in time to accomodate the plumber's schedule. Those guy's are all in bed together. Had the same problem with the electric company when we ran power to the stables. Trench had too many turns. I dug it to avoid damaging a bunch of Hollys that I paid dearly for.

Heck, who needs the plumber... just dig the trench to required depth, add required sand (if any required), pack it down, lay and glue sewer pipe, cover pipe with more sand, place warning tape and back fill. I've down it a few times and it's not that hard. It's not like he is installing a septic system. He has a year to plan this out and really want's the backhoe attachment.

 

[AndyMA]

The run on your property won't be the problem. In the areas where I've worked only trained and licensed people are allowed to do the tie in at the street, Also if the roadway is asphalt you'll need to cut it and repair it.

In most areas where you are required to put in a sewer connection you can finance it over many years and make the yearly payments on your property tax bill.

Andy