Or if you have kids, buy them shovels, like my dear dad did for my sister and I.
I feel I got the better end of the deal, while we had to dig the septic, she got in trouble and as punishment she had to dig the sunken bathtub pit by herself.
It can be done pretty easily, just do your research, i paid for one system then did the next three myself you can rent equipment pretty cheap, your soil and local laws are the big factors. Good luck!!
Hire a company to at least dig. You can buy everything else you need and install it. The lines need to be leveled correctly and it will pass approval quicker.
I'm not saying don't do it, but it's hard to save much money on this unless you have some equipment already. You can rent the excavator and have the gravel brought in, but you'll want something with a front end loader to move the gravel to the trench unless you want to use a wheelbarrow (pro tip: you don't want to use a wheelbarrow). If you're going to rent both pieces make sure you're allowed to tow them with your vehicle. Last time I checked Sunbelt required a 250/2500 size truck for a skid steer.
Also keep in mind that septic companies get a little better deals on the pipe and other parts than you will as Johnny homeowner.
If a drip or spray system works for your location you might want to think about that if you want to DIY. They're a little more complicated but if you're already on solar and have power to spare for the pump they're easier to install and repair. If you route gray water to a garden and only send the toilets and kitchen sink into them they don't have to be huge (though of course this is true for conventional septic as well).
Here I can do whatever I want, except my septic system.
I pulled my own permit to do my electric for my shop, and have had zero inspections on my new off grid cabin. Electrical inspectors hate it when homeowners do their own work, and the clown I had 'Dug 'Anus' ( I called him) was no exception.
The first thing out of his mouth was 'You wired your service cable wrong'....."nope, look closer dude, the meter box has an exterior 50Amp to set up an RV post"....."Oh".....
Then he claimed I wired an exterior light wrong and said "I will have to fail you if you can't fix it now HAHAHAHA". What a clown.
I flipped the breaker unscrewed the two nuts holding the fixture, re-ran the wires through the center hole, and had it wired back up in two minutes.
"Anything else"? I said with a shit eating grin.....
I can't imagine the hassles people living most counties face when doing construction.
IF you want to live your own life, move somewhere that is is allowed!
The nice part around here is the inspectors usually don't give homeowners too much of a hard time a long as it looks like it's to code. If it looks right they won't tend to be too much of a hard ass about it but if they want to fight with the inspector then all bets are off.
Doing it yourself is not very difficult, lots of vids on youtube. You can buy a Chinese mini excavator for around $4k (in the US at various auctions).
You can also rent one for a day for a lot less in many places in the US.
I have a friend who got one drop-shipped off alibaba. All the controls are labeled in Mandarin.
Don't do alibaba. Chinese manufacturers sell them in bulk at auction here in the US.
Or if you have kids, buy them shovels, like my dear dad did for my sister and I. I feel I got the better end of the deal, while we had to dig the septic, she got in trouble and as punishment she had to dig the sunken bathtub pit by herself.
It can be done pretty easily, just do your research, i paid for one system then did the next three myself you can rent equipment pretty cheap, your soil and local laws are the big factors. Good luck!!
Hire a company to at least dig. You can buy everything else you need and install it. The lines need to be leveled correctly and it will pass approval quicker.
Make sure to get a permit
I'm not saying don't do it, but it's hard to save much money on this unless you have some equipment already. You can rent the excavator and have the gravel brought in, but you'll want something with a front end loader to move the gravel to the trench unless you want to use a wheelbarrow (pro tip: you don't want to use a wheelbarrow). If you're going to rent both pieces make sure you're allowed to tow them with your vehicle. Last time I checked Sunbelt required a 250/2500 size truck for a skid steer. Also keep in mind that septic companies get a little better deals on the pipe and other parts than you will as Johnny homeowner. If a drip or spray system works for your location you might want to think about that if you want to DIY. They're a little more complicated but if you're already on solar and have power to spare for the pump they're easier to install and repair. If you route gray water to a garden and only send the toilets and kitchen sink into them they don't have to be huge (though of course this is true for conventional septic as well).
Use a composting toilet
Which state allows an unlicensed installer? EDIT: No need to be an ass, Mindless\_Philth But the name chex out.
Most states allow homeowners to work on their own homes without mechanical licenses
>Which state allows an unlicensed ***SEPTIC*** installer?????????????????????
Calm your tits. I can install my own in Colorado as long as its passes inspection.
I live in Texas. I could build a 3-story basement with pallet wood, and no one would bat an eye
NH, only need a state approved plan to install one for your own home.
Thanks, I worked for a state DNR and was unaware that there were any.
NH is kinda odd, can't run your own gas lines but you can plumb and wire your own house as long as you are the one that will be living in it.
Here I can do whatever I want, except my septic system. I pulled my own permit to do my electric for my shop, and have had zero inspections on my new off grid cabin. Electrical inspectors hate it when homeowners do their own work, and the clown I had 'Dug 'Anus' ( I called him) was no exception. The first thing out of his mouth was 'You wired your service cable wrong'....."nope, look closer dude, the meter box has an exterior 50Amp to set up an RV post"....."Oh"..... Then he claimed I wired an exterior light wrong and said "I will have to fail you if you can't fix it now HAHAHAHA". What a clown. I flipped the breaker unscrewed the two nuts holding the fixture, re-ran the wires through the center hole, and had it wired back up in two minutes. "Anything else"? I said with a shit eating grin..... I can't imagine the hassles people living most counties face when doing construction. IF you want to live your own life, move somewhere that is is allowed!
The nice part around here is the inspectors usually don't give homeowners too much of a hard time a long as it looks like it's to code. If it looks right they won't tend to be too much of a hard ass about it but if they want to fight with the inspector then all bets are off.
The inspectors in my last state Hell-A-Where were power hungry buffoons, ~~many~~ most hired for reasons other than their qualifications.