Septic and house value

[starjj]

How much does a septic system cost? Realtor said should be around $1800.00
but I have no idea if that is high, low, or somewhere inbetween. I suppose it would depend on the distance from the house? Believe it or not this house never had one from what the grandson said waste just ran off. Of course since it is being sold a septic has to be installed.

Also a question if the land is a little over 6 acres and acreage in the area is going for 1500-1800 per acre. How do I put a value on the house? It just seems like they are asking WAY too much since there is a lot of work to be done in the house. It is very liveable but cosmetically in poor condition. Needs paint, appliances (they are too old to want to use), carpet and really could use new cabinets in the kitchen, window coverings in all rooms are needed (just some cheap vinyl blinds are there). The only bath I would consider a gut job although it is funtional.

[Old Vet]

It only cost me 1200 to get a septic put in. Most of the job is labor. The tank will only cost about 700 and field line is about 40 so everything else is labor. Labor varies with the location. 1800 is reasionable.

[Macybaby]

There are a lot of variables.

We had a new one put in here in SD. Cost $1800 (four years ago) for everything installed and hooked to the house. Old one was shot so this was a new drain field, new tank, all new lines (even came into the house in a different location.)

In WI, we needed a mound system. Cost around $5000 and that was 8 years ago. We got lucky as it ended up being on the low end of what we expected to pay.

I wouldn't rely on the Realtor for any advise about costs. Sounds like you need to do some research for yourself to determine if this property will be worth it to you.

Cathy

[Beeman]

Do not believe anything a realtor tells you, they are working for the seller and themselves. Get real written ironclad estimates and a certified permit in hand before making a decision. There is no guarantee you can put a septic in so price becomes a moot point.

$1500 per acre sounds extremely cheap, land around here is 10k plus an acre.

[Wolf mom]

If you are buying through a realtor, get a "comparable" list. That would be a list of houses & land in comaprable size, (land, house, etc) to the one you are looking to buy then you can tell the APPROX. value.

You adjust for fireplace, garage, etc. by adding or subtracting the value.

Or you can get a buyer's broker. That's a realtor that works exclusively with buyers, not for the seller.

The larger the land parcel, the less expensive - go figure. You can always go to the yellow pages & call septic companies for APPROX costs. **** You NEED a percolation test before you can put in a septic. **** NEVER buy a piece of land that doesn't perc. Maybe you don't care, but if you go to sell it, you'll have issues.

If you think the kitchen needs new appliances & the seller hasn't deducted for that, lower the bid on the property. You can always have a contractor look at the property & tell you what it would cost to paint, etc & lower the house bid by tht amount.

Sounds like this is a first tme home for you. Become educated!!! If you are a first tme home buyer, there are special low cost loans out there for you. Check on it.

[Jalopy]

$1800 would be a bargain for where we live. We built a new house in '03 and our 1200 gallon system cost us $3600 with 4 fifty foot laterals for drainage field . But if I were you I would check with an excavating contractor to get an estimate. JMO

[cchapman84]

I am so envious of those of you who can get a septic for less than $2000. In Vermont we have to have an engineered design, which alone will run at least $1,000, and then installation can be upwards of $5,000 to $10,000 (for a conventional, mound systems can run two or three times that)! But, at least in Vermont you're explicitly allowed to have composting toilets and alternative wastewater systems (as long as they're engineer-designed).

[Nevada]

Originally Posted by Jalopy

$1800 would be a bargain for where we live. We built a new house in '03 and our 1200 gallon system cost us $3600 with 4 fifty foot laterals for drainage field . But if I were you I would check with an excavating contractor to get an estimate. JMO

Same here. Septic systems (1200 gallon tank, 150' of length of leach field) typically run around $4,000. I just had a neighbor get a 1200 gallon concrete tank for $1200, and he told me it cost less than a poly tank would have.

[marvella]

too many variables.

this area has a lot of karst, and a very high water table. it's quite difficult to site septic systems. i was lucky to get off paying only 5000. it is only 2 bedroom/ 1 bath so i was able to use a conventional septic system. any bigger and the cost begins to double.