Septic system

dummy · Feb 1, 2005

Did that "ballpark price" include removal of the old stuff too?

OhioGuy · Feb 1, 2005

I'm not sure if it included removal. The old system is at least 60 years old, pretty incredible. I believe its only a single "steel" tank.

I'm guessing a pretty good size backhoe is needed for the amount of excavating that needs done for the tanks and how do they set the tanks, can the hoe do that or are they usually set off the truck when delivered.

I considered (briefly) renting equipment and doing this part myself, now I think I'll just get several quotes, ask a lot of questions and go from there.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

Curt

Harleymsn · Feb 2, 2005

I don't know about Ohio, but in Tennessee where regulations are minimal compared to most states, DIY is not an option. Septic systems and wells can only be done by licensed installers. As for the tanks, they are pretty much deliverd on a boom type truck. The guy installing my new system (in about 2-3 weeks) does the whole thing with a Bobcat.

dummy · Feb 2, 2005

The only hard part is setting grade for the tank. In and out are pretty important. Some pictures here Tank install

SPIKER · Feb 2, 2005

harleymsn:

Ohio does require inspections on all new septic systems and wells. they can be done by OWNER but the hoop jumping that is required makes it not worth while unless you already have heavy escavating ewquipment a compact hoe will not work to make the cost worth it... anyhow typical cost around here is 6~10K depending on house SF & nuumber of bathrooms.

MakrM /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

dummy · Feb 3, 2005

a compact hoe will not work to make the cost worth it... Doesn't that really depend on the site conditions? And the size of the compact hoe?

KirkMcD · Feb 3, 2005

( I'm not sure if it included removal. The old system is at least 60 years old, pretty incredible. I believe its only a single "steel" tank.
)

If it is a steel tank, you might want to fill it in, before it rusts away and a hole forms.

Making the tank out of cement blocks was also done. They can collapse too.

JDGREEN4ME · Feb 3, 2005

I wish our system was going to cost $7000! We need a sand mound ( I know it is not the same) at our NY location and have quotes ranging from $15K to $20K! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

BRAVO_WHISKEY · Feb 3, 2005

Curt,
I'd say it's a fair price for the area. You certainly should ask the contractor for a cost breakdown for you own piece of mind. I'm North of you in Geauga County. We have some of the most strict requirements for septic systems up here. Systems here are based only on the number of bedrooms the house will have, I guess since that number somewhat dictates how many people will occupy the house. I'm in the process of building a 4 bedroom home and my septic quotes range from $10 - 12K. My soil is Rawson loam and County code requires 150 L/F of leach field per bedroom in this type soil. (I'm fairly certain of these figures, but don't quote me as I don't have the exact figures in front of me).
You certainly can't go wrong with getting some comparison quotes. By all means, you SHOULD! Gotta keep those contractors honest ya know.

rswyan · Feb 3, 2005

( I'm doing some planning on an addition to my parents house. Part of this project will probably require the septic system be relocated. I received a verbal ballpark quote today of $7000 to do the job. I think the county I'm in requires two 1000 gallon vessels and a leach field. What part of that is labor and what part is materials. )

Give Discount Drainage over on Arlington Road (Akron) a call (800-407-0011)- they should be able to give ya pricing on everything you need. You can go to their website and scope out what they carry - they pretty much have it all:

Discount Drainage

They will deliver the tanks on a flatbed with an I-Beam trolly crane I believe - they should be able to just set them in the hole if there is access to the site.

( It just seems like basic plumbing on a grand scale, why so much money? )

.... because they can /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif