How to Hire a Septic Contractor

Installing a septic system is an expensive but essential project when building a new home in an area not served by public sewers. Here's how to find a contractor to get the job done.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Yellow Pages
• Septic Contractors
• Personal Organizers

1. Make sure you have a septic design approved by the local board of health. The design will specify the exact location, shape, size and materials of the septic.

2. Make sure the site of the septic is accessible. The contractor will need to get excavation equipment and large trucks into the site.

3. Contact several septic contractors. Ask friends and relatives or check the yellow pages for contractor leads. Note that most excavation contractors install septic systems, but you'll want someone with considerable experience.

4. Have the contractors inspect the site.

5. Give each contractor a complete copy of the design.

6. Have the contractors give you price quotes for the entire project (labor, equipment and material).

7. Ask each contractor for references, including one or more older ones (to check up on any problems with operation). Check these references. Was the job done in a timely and professional manner? Did the contractor cause as little damage to the surrounding site as possible? Has the system operated properly without any problems?

8. Make sure the contractors are properly insured.

9. Select a contractor based on price, references and your impressions.

10. Execute a contract for the work, specifying cost, payment schedule, start date and estimated completion date. Make sure the contract provides a guarantee of the work.

Tips & Warnings

• A septic system includes a number of different materials and components that can be confusing for the home owner to supply. Rely on your contractor to get the supplies you'll need.
• Septic tanks require a variety of materials, including the tank and related components, high-quality fill dirt (known as "select fill"), crushed stone and PVC piping.
• Lots with difficult geographic or soil conditions may require complex septic systems. Pump systems are used when the area of the septic lies at a higher elevation than the house. Mound systems are used when the soil is wet or poorly drained.
• Expect to spend $5,000 to $25,000 for a typical septic system (depending on size and complexity as well as market conditions). Complex systems can cost more - up to $100,000 in extreme cases.
• Septic price quotes can vary enormously - by over 100 percent in some cases - so make sure you get at least three to five bids.
• Make sure the contractor provides you with a valid certificate of insurance before work commences or payment is made.
• Always try to minimize the deposit paid and keep the payment schedule closely aligned to the progress of work and the delivery of materials to the site. Notwithstanding this, be advised that the contractor must order a large amount of material and will probably insist on some type of deposit.

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