How to spend $1,600 to save $16,000

[Teague Anderson]

Today I had a sewer inspection for a duplex I’m under contract to buy. The sewer inspector called to inform me that the house was actually on septic. (Not a good sign if the owner doesn’t even know this piece of information.)

The sewer inspector said he could also inspect a septic system as well, but the lid would have to be dug out, and the tank pumped so its condition could be assessed. They would also do a flow test to see the state of the leech field.

Total cost including initial sewer scope: $1650

I’m about 2,000 miles away, in the middle of a busy day at work. Not a perfect time to be calling and vetting other septic inspectors, but to my credit, I did get one other price and it seemed more or less consistent. I really didn’t want to spend that money though. $1,650 is real money. I could buy new kitchen appliances or go on a vacation. I didn’t want to spend it inspecting a literal s**t hole.

I told the inspector I’d call him back in ten minutes. I needed that much time for the logic of the decision to percolate through my brain. Pay the money and have peace of mind; don’t pay and maybe get screwed down the road.

Boy, am I glad I paid the money. The tank was filled to the brim, falling apart, and the leech field refused to accept more than a cupful at a time.

We haven’t got an estimate yet, but with the way the area is overgrown, the inspector thought it could be upward of $15,000 to install a new system. We’ll see what the seller says to our objection, but either way, that cost won’t be on us.