Septic System Costs
Hi all,
Looking at a single family rehab possibility. I can assess the necessary structural repairs but a new septic system is required. Any insight to how much septic systems cost to remove and install new in the northeast would be greatly appreciated. I do plan to contact some contractors for this but looking for discussion and ballpark numbers.
Thanks in advance.
Hello,
Two years ago we had to install an at-grade mound system because the septic was failing. That was $11,000.
We're in the Milwaukee, WI area.
Now, I'm not sure if in your area the completely replace the septic system. What they may do is hook up to it and add a mound system.
What's the difference between an at-grade mound system and a mound system? About 4 to 5K. That's it.
Thanks,
OnTheWater
Based on preliminary research I'm finding that this could run as high as 20k in extenuating circumstances.
I had a system installed here in NW Jersey, (very rocky) unexpected shelf rock required a change in the system. Net, $2K more and a smaller capacity for the system. Total cost $13K. The site dictates the details of the system. Probably can't go wrong using $20K as an estimate.
get an estimate,
I know one excavator who will dig a system for under 5k, and another septic installer who does systems for 10 - 25k.
hmm, 5 for a sandmound, or 25 for a sandmound?? On a rehab, i think it's pretty simple. on your own "forever" home, maybe spend a little more.
Shop around, prices can vary.
~Matt
[addsig]
Septic tanks are really labor intensive which is where most of the money goes.
I have put them in complete for $3,000 but you should have seen my hands and back at the end of that little goody.
In and around Boston? Oh my god, I would be tempted to use Shaped Charges. Turn all the radios on loud and fire away. Just kidding, I did this on the Big island of Hawaii, but that was Lava rock and I had no money. That was a thrilling drilling time. Funny thing was that nobody seemed to hear the explosives go off. Ah well
In your area, I might read up on it and arrange to handle the digout and trenching myself working with selected labor that is everywhere. Just check their hands to be sure they have a prior experience, cause this is hard work. Water the hell out of them and every now and then pick up a spade or a Drill and spend about five minutes or so being a complete idiot. They will laugh and then go on to show you up. Increases their efficiency about 50%.
Some contractors like that you do this part of the job. The other is pretty straight forward. I suggest you do heavy leach lines and enjoy a little of the side effects. I do love gardens and veggies growing in great abundence with a little help from your normal eliminations and Mother Nature where ever she is.
In your area you should be utilizing this intervention. It holds your cost down to about $7,000 plus or minus depending on the accent of the workers and contractors. Also when they finish, furnish the beer and allow that horrible ranchero music. I always play a little Wagnerian stuff on my boom box. sort of a revenge thing. Also believe it or not sometimes they listen. With Fledermaus they identify, rats are rats..
Enjoy, the dirt it certainly is leveling.
Lucius
I designed these sytems for many years. $20k is a good, conservative estimate. If you call the health department and talk to the inspector in charge of certifying these systems they will definitly be able to tell you what type of conditions are under the soil in your area. This is the biggest determining factor for how much the system will cost. If there is high groundwater, you raise the system and pay for the mound. If the soil contains to much clay, it can't drain and you have to replace the dirt with something more sandy. That will cost more than if the natural soil is perfect.
If you have the choice...I recommend a gravity system versus a pressure\pump system. Basically a gravity system feeds waste water to the leach field that resides downhill from the septic tank. In a pump system the field is above the tank and needs to be pumped. In a pump system the field can generally be smaller which will reducce building costs but the ongoing maintanace will be a bit higher.
If you have the option, make a case for seepage pits. Many munis don't allow them anymore but they are very effective, take less room and are less costly to install and maintain.
Talk to a local engineer and he can fill you in on all the local regulations. PM me if you have any other detailed questions.
I am sorry I should have mentioned one more item which may save you a lot of money or maybe arrange free board and room in the local lockup.
Many long years ago, in the hills of Hollywood. I bought a small little house that looked old enough to have been one of the prior residences of Peter the Hermet. A resident in these here hills dating back to the early 30's.
It was of course on Septic tanks. I opened them up had a quick swim and could get no response on a quick stir, sorry to be so graphic but well you know sh-- is but one of the ingredients in living. Anyhow what I did is the following.
I waited until a nice big old DC-4 flew by and I dropped a percussion grenade into the septic tank. There was a rather large explosion which brought back many bitter scary memories. But, yes,
it worked.
The system was now at function. I have no idea for how long, but during the next five years or so it stayed at function. I think it was pumped just once during that time.
Of course I have no idea as to the rapidity or amount of afluent content that the new owner ingested into the system, but, and this is always a problem out here in LaLa land he seemed to be no more fuller of it then most!
Giggling in memoria. Lucius
Too bad you guys aren't in the South.
I had a brand new system installed in 2002 in my personal home. The old one was emptied and covered. They dropped a new tank, all of the fill line and the leach field for $2,800.
Works like a charm.
The way it is done here in Ok, and how we did it in AR is:
we rent a backhoe ($ 75.00/day), get somebody to drive it (50.00/day), who is experienced.
Buy the tank at Lowe's or similar (shop for prices), they can be anywhere between 800 - 1200, depending on size; buy the pipes and leach pipes, etc.
Have somebody install it (when they deliver the tank, they will put it in the hole) the pipes, etc.
Ours cost, all in all, in AR 1250.00!
Shop around, and compare prices!
Good luck!
Ladybug
One very important thing that you need to know is that FHA requires that if you have a septic system that is within 100-150' of a sewer system (don't remember
exactly what specs are), you must hook up to the sewer!!!!!!
You need to go out to the property and see where the sewer is. Then call some guys out and get some bids. You might get away with pumping it or have to put in a couple leach lines, or even replace the entire systems which costs about
$3500.00 in California.
Do you homework, dont put your profit into the septic system! If you are required to hook up to sewer, big $$$$
Best RIches,
Jeffrey Adam
_________________
"The only place success comes before work
is in the dictionary."[ Edited by JeffreyAdam on Date 01/27/2004 ]
Bexo- you're wasting your time polling the entire country about costs for a septic system in your location.
Septics are something that I have found can vary from the low of $500 to $35,000. The variables are infinite, but your location is going to be the biggest factor in determining the price. Just from a few of the responses here you should be getting an idea of how much the costs vary depending on the location. This is because the soil and local regulations are going to be huge factors in the system.
The 2nd biggest factor is going to be the local codes. Every place is different for what you are required to have in regard to what is coming out of the house. Some places have grey water and black water issues, some don't. Some use square footage of the house to determine systems and some use amount of bedrooms. The list goes on and on.
Just get the yellow pages out and you will have an estimate in 10 minutes.
Bexo
When I lived in Kingston MA I was told 4-5K because of the very sandy soil. No removal and replacement of clay ect. I have heard of people who needed a raised system because of their close proximity to the water or just high ground water who have payed in the mid twenties.
You might check with the local DEP agency. Sometimes they are required to give permits and O.K.plans.