Septic System Costs

We designers receive much of our work from installers, homebuilders and property owners. The typical scenario is for one of these persons to call us, settle on our design fee and make an appointment to meet at the site.

A challenge arises, however, when that person has already fixed in his mind the amount of money to be budgeted for the septic system. The installer calling us might have already given a bid on the job. The homebuilder might have already budgeted what the system “should” cost and have relayed that to the property owner.

He might have already poured the slab and set the sewer drop at an incorrect location or depth before we even arrive at the site. The property owner himself might have already set in his mind what the system should cost.

When any of these occur, the designer can easily get into the dilemma of concluding, from his site evaluation, that the system type or size that is needed to comply with the Regulations is one that is more costly than his hiring person had in mind.

Envision this analogy: You have a job working under a boss who sets your salary and signs your paycheck. He asks you to do something that is illegal or immoral. What goes through YOUR mind?

It's an all-to-common designer dilemma.