Anyone here install their own septic

[Frankenkubota]

mine was just installed. i'm pumping up hill so 2 tanks, pump and pump lines and all the rest, $7500.

central NC.

 

[gtbensley]

Jeez some of you have dirt cheap prices for installing system. I had multiple quotes of $15K+ for a basic gravity system with infiltrators. I will be installing myself, starting this weekend.

 

[fried1765]

Jeez some of you have dirt cheap prices for installing system. I had multiple quotes of $15K+ for a basic gravity system with infiltrators. I will be installing myself, starting this weekend.

It seems as though septic system pricing is MUCH higher in the NE, as compared to many other parts of the country.

 

[BoylermanCT]

It seems as though septic system pricing is MUCH higher in the NE, as compared to many other parts of the country.

Ding ding ding! Everything is priced much higher in the NE! To quote Monty Python, Run Away! Run Away!

 

[m1garand762]

I can’t speak for your location but our county needs a set of plans and a soil test by a soil scientist. It’s based on soil type and the number of bedrooms and potential bedrooms

 

[buckeyefarmer]

And then you go to the county 20 yrs later to find the drain field, and you get a hand drawn sketch that’s unreadable. BTDT.

 

[Carl_NH]

It seems as though septic system pricing is MUCH higher in the NE, as compared to many other parts of the country.

Most items except fresh lobster and fish is higher in the NE than the rest of the country! Laborers charged out at $40+ Hr and excavators $200/hr then the required certified septic sand $30/ton, then the approval process, engineering, town approval and permitting is a big $ suck - every agency has their hand in the till.

At the end of the day the real materials cost is similar in NE, its the bureaucracy and regulations, and local labor rates that really drive up the costs. I had a 4 Bdrm septic installed in 1989 for $9K and today it's $30K+.

 

[fried1765]

Most items except fresh lobster and fish is higher in the NE than the rest of the country! Laborers charged out at $40+ Hr and excavators $200/hr then the required certified septic sand $30/ton, then the approval process, engineering, town approval and permitting is a big $ suck - every agency has their hand in the till.

At the end of the day the real materials cost is similar in NE, its the bureaucracy and regulations, and local labor rates that really drive up the costs. I had a 4 Bdrm septic installed in 1989 for $9K and today it's $30K+.

Exactly why I have owned an intermediate size BH since 1986.
I installed my own 3 BR septic (no perk test, design stamp, or permit) in the NE, back in 1986, for $800 in materials.
Simple system is in natural sand, and out of sight, behind the house,....... plus I do have a CE degree.
Design stamped/permitted contractor installed system today would be $30K.

 

[Tx Jim]

In county I live in if one gets caught installing or modifying a septic system without a permit & perk test one will be subject to a large fine($$$$$)

 

[fried1765]

In county I live in if one gets caught installing or modifying a septic system without a permit & perk test one will be subject to a large fine($$$$$)

All my work was completed out of sight.
Due to an unanticipated change in local regulations that mandated random inspections, the municipality inspected my system just weeks after I installed it.
They stated that they could not find the permit.
Only comment made was: "it is fine, looks like it is almost new".
That was 35 years ago!
I think I am safe!

 

[Williy]

I installed two systems last one cost less that $600. Also
I did mine with a shovel was 42 at the time and cut 5 acres
of grass with a push mover for exersize and wife made me
get a riding mower said its take me too long to cut the grass!
Now I'm 81 and she told me to get a tractor with a cab!

THIS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION: Hope this will help
someone

https://www.doh.wa.gov/portals/1/documents/pubs/337-122.pdf

Septic Systems: Operation, Installation, Repair of Septic Tanks, Septic Fields, Septic Designs, Alternatives, Soakbeds, Aerobic

willy

 

[fried1765]

I installed two systems last one cost less that $600. Also
I did mine with a shovel was 42 at the time and cut 5 acres
of grass with a push mover for exersize and wife made me
get a riding mower said its take me too long to cut the grass!
Now I'm 81 and she told me to get a tractor with a cab!

THIS IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION: Hope this will help
someone

https://www.doh.wa.gov/portals/1/documents/pubs/337-122.pdf

Septic Systems: Operation, Installation, Repair of Septic Tanks, Septic Fields, Septic Designs, Alternatives, Soakbeds, Aerobic

willy

I am 80, and bought a SCAG zero turn last Fall. I feel your pain!
Already had 3 tractors.

 

[PILOON]

My DIY septic cost me the price of bags of cement, some plywood for forms and cedar for the cover.
The drain field was a 10 ft stacked block well/pit design (as per as a gov't design) and covered with cedar.
35 years old now.
We recently did dye tests to verify that it was functioning correctly, and it was OK.
Cost? well certainly well under $1K.

Later septics were common in the $3000. range but today count on $30,000.
OK, you can blame inflation somewhat but mostly it is autocrats taking their cut.
Permit for this and that, surveys and soil tests and inspections galore.

Now to add insult to injury we MUST pump every 2 years, subject to fines, and that @ $175 per pumping.
Fortunately as an association we organize an annual 'Blitz' and save members about $25. per event. (Makes sense as fuel and travel is the pumper's main costs) plus the savings reduces their annual dues considerably.

 

[Williy]

I forgot to add that you should put a cake or package of yeast in the tuilet and flush it down the drain every couple of months we haven't pumped our systems in over 39 years and that's all we add we don't buy septic cleaners etc

willy

 

[fried1765]

I forgot to add that you should put a cake or package of yeast in the tuilet and flush it down the drain every couple of months we haven't pumped our systems in over 39 years and that's all we add we don't buy septic cleaners etc

willy

Septic cleaners are generally considered to be a bad idea, yeast is likely not necessary, but cannot hurt!

 

[nyone]

I forgot to add that you should put a cake or package of yeast in the tuilet and flush it down the drain every couple of months we haven't pumped our systems in over 39 years and that's all we add we don't buy septic cleaners etc

willy

39yrs and no pumping...I bet your local septic installer will be loving you shortly.

You pump a septic to get the solids, fats and oils out. Any of that that makes it into the field lessens its ability to accept liquid.

 

[fried1765]

39yrs and no pumping...I bet your local septic installer will be loving you shortly.

You pump a septic to get the solids, fats and oils out. Any of that that makes it into the field lessens its ability to accept liquid.

ALL TRUE !!!!

 

[gstrom99]

I didn't read all 16 pages but... If the OP is still considering this a DIY project and goes ahead himself, good luck selling the place, EVER...

 

[Williy]

I have know people that have never pumped there systems
and I can't tell you how many years they have been in use
but its generations and yeast was added to increase the bacteria
and you never use bleach as it will kill your septic system.
All I am doing is telling you what works!

willy

 

[gtbensley]

I didn't read all 16 pages but... If the OP is still considering this a DIY project and goes ahead himself, good luck selling the place, EVER...

Why? It can be done fully legally and state inspected.