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 Inspection fee is $1000. This fee does not include municipal fees or tank pumping (if required for inspection). We also offer turnkey service including town fees and pumping (when required by local by-law or if desired). Full service for towns without pumping requirements: $1250.00. Full Service for towns with pumping by-law (or if requested by the property owner): $2,055.00. If we do not require our mini-excavator for your inspection, we will reduce the fee by $200 for any of the options above.

Perc Test service is $800 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).

6. What payment methods do you accept?

We accept cash, check or credit/debit cards