Frequently Asked Questions

1. When Are Inspections Required?

Septic system inspections are required whenever the title for a building with a septic system is transferred, other than between family members, or when the footprint or use of the building is changed.

2. When Must Inspections Be Done?

Inspections must occur before title transfer, except when weather makes this too difficult. Then a written agreement may allow a delay until the weather improves. Inspections are valid for 2 full years. We recommend inspections in warmer and drier times of the year.

3. How Is the Inspection Performed?

Homestead Inc will carefully excavate the specified components of your system to minimize impact on your landscaping. However, some landscape disruption is nearly always required and landscaping / reseeding may be needed following our inspection. The septic tank Inlet ports, Outlet ports and distribution boxes, if any, must be opened and certified. The average inspection takes about 2 hours. Older systems without documentation may take longer. Your knowledge or documents may help us expedite the inspection.

4. What Does Homestead Do?

Homestead can provide all necessary Title 5 services, including inspections, research, coordination, excavation, water testing (if required), as-built documentation, and the report distribution.

5. What Does It Cost?

Title 5 Septic System Inspection fee is $900. This fee does not include municipal fees or tank pumping (if required for inspection). We offer "one call" turnkey service which includes town fees and pumping (when required by local by-law or if desired)- Let us know if you'd like pricing for this option. If we do not require our mini-excavator for your inspection, we will reduce the fee by $200.

Perc Test service is $900 for Repair Perc Tests and $1000 for new construction Perc Tests. Perc Test Service does NOT include town fees, or 3rd party excatation cost, both of which are typically paid by the customer. We can recommend 3rd party excavation contractors, or can include excavation contractor in our service for additional cost (usually $600-1000 depending on location and availability of contractors).

Design Services are unique to each locale, so please contact us for an estimate based on your site specific needs.

6. Is tank pumping required?

It Depends! Some jurisdictions in our area require tank pumping as part of the inspection and many do not. Pumping is NOT a part of MA Title 5 code with regard to inspections, the requirment is driven by local Boards of Health preference. We can tell you if your municipality requires pumping and can provide you a list of local septage haulers, or we can handle everything if you prefer. Either way we coordinate with your chosen Hauler to be there at the inspection whether we hire them, or you do.

7. What payment methods do you accept?

We accept cash, check or credit/debit cards