Looking for affordable septic tank installation in Plymouth? Great! MrBluePlumbing is at your service 24/7. In this guide, we cover common questions for residents of Plymouth including:
- How Much Does It Usually Cost To Install A Septic Tank In Plymouth?
- What Type Of Septic Tank Is Best For Plymouth?
- Lawn Protection Best Practices For Septic Tank Installation?
- What To Expect During Installation?
Want a quick pricing quote? Tell us about your project in the form, and we’ll get you connected with our expert septic tank installers in Plymouth, or continue reading to learn what you should consider when it comes to septic tank installation for your home.
What Is The Process For Septic Tank Installation In Plymouth?
Plymouth is a tourist town located in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, and 40 miles south of Boston. In addition, Plymouth has a rich history, culture and is known as America’s hometown. According to the 2010 population data, “Town of Plymouth Population Projections”, Plymouth has approximately 58,271 people.
Probably you’re already a resident of Plymouth or looking to move to the city. If you’re wondering how the process for septic tank installation is like, we got your back. Let’s face it! Without the right information, it can be intimidating and a real hassle.
So, how should you go about it? More importantly, you can never carry out septic installations in Plymouth without the right permits. So, let’s quickly look at how this comes to play!
How Does Permitting Work For Installing Septic Tanks In Plymouth?
Before embarking on a septic tank installation project in Plymouth, it’s important to seek approval from the city authorities (public health and public works department) and other relevant state bodies like OSHA. This ensures development coherently takes place and that the environment is protected.
That being said, you’ll need permits for carrying out feasibility studies of soils, rocks, and the water table, percolation test application, and trench permits, and the final inspection permit. In addition, the different septic tank installation permits will cost you anywhere between $50 and $350, depending on the nature of the work involved.
Now that this is out of the way, here’s the step-by-step guide for installing tanks in Plymouth. Let’s get to it!
1. Carry out Feasibility Studies
What’s a feasibility study? You could be asking. This is an in-depth analysis of a project, including the internal and external factors that affect it. Every construction work requires a feasibility study of soils, rocks, and water.
Installing a septic tank appears minor, but it’s not immune to this requirement. More importantly, this exercise helps in determining the most suitable place for situating the septic tank. Also, this will determine aspects like the depth of the septic tank and construction materials because not all soils can support septic tank installation.
In addition, you want to ensure the septic tank isn’t close to water tables. If this happens, it could jeopardize public health, thereby putting everyone at risk, especially those who use well water. So you want to avoid it by undertaking a feasibility study.
2. Designing and Drawing the Septic Tank Plans
When the feasibility report is ready, and you’ve got the best location for the septic tank, you’ll want to get a certified and licensed septic tank designer in Plymouth. However, if you don’t know where to find one, we can help you out, so it doesn’t need to be a hurdle.
At this stage, the septic designer should come up with the septic design and plan drawings as inspired by the feasibility studies report.
3. Email Copy of Feasibility Reports, Septic Design Plans, and Copy of Check
The final copy drawings and septic designs should be emailed to the Public Health Department in pdf formats. Other materials to accompany the email include the feasibility report for soils and a payments check.
In addition, you should email the original copy of these documents to the town of Plymouth Health Department. This too you should accompany with payment. Lastly, you have the option of making online payments, so if it suits you, you can try it out.
4. Apply for Percolation Test and Trench Permit
According to the city guidelines, you need to apply for a percolation test and trench permit after emailing copies of the design and soil report. This permit determines your relationship with the city authorities, including what you must do to be compliant.
It permits you to excavate, the duration of the project and liabilities. By this we mean, the amount you pay as reimbursement fees should you fail to comply.
According to the city regulations, you’re liable to reimburse the city authorities for all the expenses incurred while following up with this process. So, it’s best if you fully comply to avoid time wastage and avoidable fines.
When you’ve successfully filled out the application form, mail it to the city authority. The total cost you’ll incur for the percolation and trench permit is $350, which is payable online. Upon receipt of your application, the city authority will review and set a date for picking the permits.
5. Collect Septic Installation Application Permits
When the permits are ready, you should set aside a $100 permit pick-up fee. Why is this necessary, you ask? According to the city’s guidelines, this fee will go into the backfill and final inspection when the septic tank installation is completed.
In addition, you can carry the cash when you visit the town offices or make the payment through online channels. If you decide to go by the latter option, you have to fill up and upload this form. Lastly, all check payments should be mailed to the Town of Plymouth-Health department.
Upon receipt of payments, the septic tank installation permit will be emailed to you for digital signature.
6. Carry on With the Actual Installation and Construction
Once you have the permit, you can begin the installation and construction process with the help of a licensed and certified septic tank installer. More importantly, this should be guided by the feasibility studies report.
First, the septic installer will clear and prepare the site. Excavation will follow next to dig a trench according to the anticipated septic tank volume. After excavation, the city department of health will visit the site for inspection before backfill to verify you’re following the guidelines.
Lastly, the septic installer backfills the septic tank and completes the installation process. The last stage involves checking the septic tank’s functionality, and it involves testing the water, pressure, vacuum, and plumbing leaks.
7. Final Inspection
Congratulations! Your septic tank is fully installed and ready for use. So, should you go ahead and begin using it? Not really. First, you’ll need to email a copy of the As-built septic design plans to the city authorities in preparation for the final inspection.
Secondly, you need to produce a copy of the As-built septic design plans and pin them on site, ready for the final inspection. Also, remember to include your contact details in the As-built design plans when you email them to the relevant city department.
Lastly, submit a Title 5 inspection report (if you’re selling your home) via mail to the town of Plymouth, certifying the newly constructed septic tank as compliant. This will cost you a final fee of $50 that you can pay online or mail a check.
How Much Does Septic Tank Installation Usually Cost In Plymouth?
According to case studies by HomeAdvisor, Septic tank installation in Plymouth usually costs anywhere between $465 and $25,000. However, the typical range is $3117-$10,146, depending on several factors like materials, permits, septic system, and the household size.
So, let’s quickly look at how these affect the ultimate cost of septic tank installation in Plymouth, MA.
Cost Factor: House Hold Size
Bigger households require a high-volume septic tank to cater to the intensive domestic activities that go on. In addition, big-sized septic tanks cost more to install than small-sized septic tanks.
Several factors like the cost of materials, type of septic tank, and labor contribute to the overall cost. So, the bigger the septic tank, the more materials will be required, and the more the work will be intensive. This will therefore cost you more!
According to studies, a three-bedroom house requires at least 1,000 gallons of a septic tank. To install this septic tank, it’ll cost anywhere between $2,100 and $5,000, depending on other related costs like labor, materials, permits, etc.
Cost Factor: Materials and Nature of Work
Septic installation materials cost anywhere between $600 and $2,500 depending on quality and availability. Adding the cost of materials to other factors like labor should help you arrive at the estimated budget for installing the septic tank.
In addition, a complete installation usually costs more than a basic installation. A complete septic tank installation costs between $10,000 and $25,000. The setup includes a leach field which adds an extra cost of between $5,000 and $20,000.
Cost Factor: Permits
The different types of permits you need when installing a septic tank in Plymouth are feasibility studies for soil, percolation test application and trench permits, and the final inspection permits. The cost of securing these permits ranges between $50 and $350, depending on the kind of work involved.
Cost Factor: Type of Septic Tank
There are two main types of septic tanks based on the system they operate on—anaerobic and aerobic. While the anaerobic septic doesn’t require oxygen, the aerobic one requires oxygen for effective operation.
Anaerobic septic tanks are relatively cheap to install and will cost between $3,000 and $8,000, while aerobic septic tanks costs between 10,000 and 20,000 since they’re more effective at breaking down the wastes.
What Type Of Septic Tank Is Best For Residents In Plymouth?
Topography varies between places in Plymouth. Therefore, settling on one best type of septic tank for Plymouth may be a hurdle. In addition, there are several options you can consider for your residential home.
However, this decision should be based on location in the city, distance to a well and other water bodies, and property lines. That being said, it would be best if you installed the modern septic system, precisely the concrete septic tanks, because of reliability and efficiency.
How Often Do Homeowners In Plymouth Need To Have Their Septic Tank Inspected?
According to the Massachusetts Environments Department guidelines, homeowners in Plymouth should have their septic tanks inspected after ½ to 5 years. In addition, the inspection can take place when the home is on sale or when conditions demand an inspection.
Other conditions include property change of use, changes in building footprint, property core ownership, and whenever the environment department deems fit.
Are There Any Rebates Available For Septic Tank Services In Plymouth?
According to a guide by the Massachusetts government, homeowners qualify for a tax credit of up to $6,000 over four years to cover up the cost of septic repairs.
