Need advice on buying a house with a cesspool

[Angel Medrano]

Found a couple houses in a rural area selling houses with cesspools. Wondering if anyone has done a deal like this. What’s the process to change to septic cost permits etc. and was it worth it!

[George W.]

It depends on a few things. For starters most places cesspools are a giant no-no and need to be ripped out. Some places do allow to put a septic tank in front of the septic if the soil percolates well but I wouldn't count on it. 

If the soil percs good then you can get away with a tank and leachfeild.

If the soil does not percolate very you'll need a raised mound most likely. the costs goes way up if that's the case because of the pump tanks. 

If I were you I'd call a local septic company and have them inspect the cesspool. If you haven't had it inspected yet you might find it's not even a cesspool. Ive seen before where sellers had another clue another clue what type of septic they had. The septic guy will know alot better what type of system would be needed there and if it could be retrofitted than asking people online.  Also they'd know your local rules and regulations which often vastly differ from state to state as well as costs.