Anybody build thier own septic system? If so what are your thoughts? After the first estimate came in around $12K I am really considering putting that cash into a back-hoe and doing it my self. In my state of NH owners may build thiere own. I have a design for a "Presby" system and they look fairly simple and strieght forward. The kicker is you gota have the equipment! I am going to price out the materieal this week and see what the coat is. $12000 just seems like a lot of cash for not a complicated system.
Any thoughts, ideas and/or warnings? Should I forget about DIY and just put out the cash?
If mine were going to be $12k I would absolutely give DIY serious consideration.....however, I can hire out a conventional simple system for a 3 bdrm house for around 4k to 5k even if it needs to be a sand system. I wonder why the big difference in price? Have you checked into the Infiltrator system? That might be an option for you if "they" allow them.....
I am going to get a few more bids. I am hoping this guys was way high.
I know that where my property is, you can build your own. The catch is you have to build it yourself (it reads as if you can't even have outside help) and it must be a simple gravity system.
The county even has a great site on how to build it.
I would love to find someplace that gives a complete description on how to do a soils (perk) test, tho and what the results actually mean. My plan would be to do one myself around the property to try to find the best place before spending the $$ on having the county do it. Once I find my spot, then they can come and basically confirm my results.
But I have yet to find a site that can give me good, clear directions on how to run the test, and most importantly, how to interpret the results
I've not heard of that type of system - my guess is that it is a type of pressure system?
I built my own using the Infiltrator system. Tank was 900 and the infiltrator panels were 700. Total cost 1600..... Very easy to do. Infiltrator even has guidelines based on type of soil on their website.
I have put in several and I never ever came anywhere to that much. I would really want to find out why. Is there something you are missing in this or is there a special system required? Right now here permits are running close to a grand, a 1200 gallon cement tank is not much more that set unless you are a long distance. I would figure 1000 for pipe and infiltrators depending how many and far the State / County require. You might have to dig to China and back fill with sand then lay your domes but I just do not know why the 12000 K
325ABN,
Are you building in NH? Where abouts? I am also and also have a quote for a system in the 12-14k range... and I have been thinking about doing it myself. Would love to know what information you come up with regarding costs of materials vs. cost to hire a firm to put it in.
My understanding of the presby maze system is that it's pretty straight forward and most of the cost involved is excavation and bringing in materials. Seems like one should be able to do it themselves with the assistance of a "septic mentor"... and I'm sure they are around.
We are a-ways off from building but am very curious to hear what you find out and decide to do. If you do the owner-built route, please post a thread here on it.
Acworth, NH and you?
I'm on the other side of the country but doing septic for me might cost $8k if I were to do it. The problem for me is that I'm in very rocky country and getting down below 4-5 feet is tough!
However, since this is a cabin and we don't plan to live there we are putting in a composting toilet and a privy.
Hancock, NH. Our lot is seasonal access though so it's hard to justify a 12-14k septic system for part time use.
what do you mean seasonal access???
In western Maine, we paid $6500 for our septic system. 1000 gal tank and a 700 sq ft leach field. I could have saved money DIY.
what do you mean seasonal access???
road is only maintained and techically open to vehicles from april to early december... and is not plowed or sanded during the winter. summer cottage area. town will make you post a bond if you want to use it in any form of regular access during the winter.
If you are only going to be there seasonally have you considered a composting toilet? A lot less digging is involved.
Just a reminder, if a septic system is not used on a regular basis it will not function properly.
I bought a composting toilet a few years back, while it may work for some people my family refused to use it after one weekend. Believe it or not I then went to the system outlined in the Humanure Handbook and things have been going smoothly for three years. It is a little work, but no big deal.
We are currently building a house and are going to plumb in for regular toilet and septic, but believe me that septic will be the last thing done. Of course it helps to live in a county with no building inspector etc. I did ask the health dept about gray water and they just told me to "keep it away from the property lines."
If you are only going to be there seasonally have you considered a composting toilet? A lot less digging is involved.
we have considered that. we were told that we needed a full septic system even if it is just for gray water.... which seems overkill but... that's what the state and town says.
Quote from: dmanley on May 25, 2010, 03:26:07 PM
Just a reminder, if a septic system is not used on a regular basis it will not function properly.
Can you please expound on that? ???
www.TankDepot.com Has good prices on septics and State by State requirements. I don't know about your exact permitting for your state or town. My land has an existing septic system in place. But if I did not I would have to hire an engineer to design and stamp a design$$$$$$
I am not affiliated with this company at all. I found there site a few years ago and have found it informative. I know some parts of New England can be tough on septic regulations. Good Luck pete
Quote from: dmanley on May 25, 2010, 03:26:07 PM
Just a reminder, if a septic system is not used on a regular basis it will not function properly.
I'm curious about that, too. I've heard that, but then I remembered our summer cottage, which was only used 3 months a year. We never had trouble with the septic system. ???
i think it may have something to do with keeping bacteria active in the system... that'd be my guess.
where are you getting the info that you can install it your self??
Dave
Quote from: dmlsr on May 27, 2010, 03:19:56 PM
where are you getting the info that you can install it your self??
Dave
Not sure if you are referring to me, but I get my basis for being able to build it myself from the Okanogan County law; specifically, the following link, section 10 http://www.okanogancounty.org/ochd/2008_oss.pdf (http://www.okanogancounty.org/ochd/2008_oss.pdf). Even more specifically, section 10.02
The big caveat in that regulation is that you, the owner, and
only you the owner are allowed to do the work. If you want Joe from next door to help, he can't unless he is a licensed septic installer. He can't even lift a shovel to help dig the trenches. Yes, that's the strictest reading of the regs, but my guess is that you'd have to talk to the county to find out what they say. And then again, there's the old, "what they don't know won't hurt them" theory. Which could be true, especially out in the boonies where some of us are building ;D
I also found this document to be quite informative:http://www.okanogancounty.org/ochd/const_stand.pdf (http://www.okanogancounty.org/ochd/const_stand.pdf)
looking for info for NH
Start here: http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/ssb/index.htm
I spoke with them numerous times and they said that an owner (and only the owner) can design and install thier own... otherwise you need a licensed designer and installer. All regs apply - have to have a perk test & test pit, design approved and pass inspection, etc., etc. etc.
I read the same thing.
The way it reads, it must be "primary domicile"
Could leave out us cabin owners. I haven't tested the theory.
http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/ssb/documents/ssb-4.pdf (http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/ssb/documents/ssb-4.pdf)
i would bet that can be argued... cleary put in there to protect the designers/installers. i spoke with them a few years ago and i think the regs changed since then because they knew i was building a cabin and it was not my primary domicile and they told me i could do it myself.
i was going to get a design done professionally and then find a "septic mentor" who could help me put it in and let me do some work but be there to oversee and make sure it was done properly. with the economy being what it is i know guys are hurting for work so they're out there. if you go with the "presby" system they only sell through dealers and installers.
something to be said for a composting toilet or electric toilet.
btw, that site has a link that shows installed systems and who did them... so you can find someone familar with the area. same for wells.
It's clear in NH the home / land owner can install his own system. It only makes since, as long as it passes inspection what difference does it make who does the labor?
Quote from: 325ABN on May 28, 2010, 06:41:43 AM
It's clear in NH the home / land owner can install his own system. It only makes since, as long as it passes inspection what difference does it make who does the labor?
::)
The difference is in how successful certain folks have been in lobbying to force every step of the way to require licensed designers and installers. It's not the effluent flow; it's the money flow that's critical.
As for an infrequently used septic going "bad", that certainly wasn't the case with a seasonally used septic at our family cabin that saw 2-3 months of use per year, typically only during the summer. It was a pump to gravity system that functioned just fine for over 25 years and had no problems when we sold it. It's been another 10+ years, and I haven't heard from the neighbors that the new owners had any issues either, and they hardly ever use it. My guess would be that if you're not using it, nothing needs to be broken down. When you start using it again, what you put into it provides the needed bacteria for proper operation. Consider a brand new septic system: I've never heard of anyone building a new septic system that had to "prime" it.
My current county requires licensed designers and installers. A friend of mine built in Kitsap County, and he paid a designer but did the install himself. Total cost was under $4k for his gravity system, with design cost included.
Does anyone know what additional costs are involved with a pump-up system? There is a property for sale that has an approved gravity system... but to resite the house in a spot that is most private, it would require a pump-up to the leach field. I know what the gravity fed system will cost... but what would the added cost be to put in a pump-up unit? need to go about 100' to the tank/drain field....
Quote from: 325ABN on May 28, 2010, 06:41:43 AM
It's clear in NH the home / land owner can install his own system. It only makes since, as long as it passes inspection what difference does it make who does the labor?
If the plumbers or people who install septic systems in your area have successfully lobbied local politicians it matters. That was the hard lesson I learned in Alabama years ago. I found myself in violation for doing my own plumbing without a license. I repeatedly asked the city how many houses had burned down from faulty plumbing and got no answer. Basically the local plumbers had paid enough politicians to pass an ordinence that you had to use a licensed plumber for everything. That way they always had plenty of business and could charge what they wanted. I hate corrupt little towns like that! I moved the first chance I got.
Quote from: cbc58 on June 10, 2010, 12:04:39 PM
Does anyone know what additional costs are involved with a pump-up system?
I've no actual direct knowledge of how much it cost, but looking at what my neighbors have it looks like it's not crazily expensive - maybe $2K-$3K installed at CA prices(and probably <half that if you do it it yourself). Looks like a big tub with a pump in it, 20A/240V power to it, some basic alarm system so you know when it's gone wrong, and some 2"
This looks kinda like it: http://www.plumbingsupply.com/sewage.html
that's kind of what i thought but i have yet to find a site that explains it outright. tks.