Septic tank repairs and installs

Homeowners with failing systems, people selling a home that needs to meet current rules, self-builders, farms and small developers.

Quoted price per job covering survey, materials, labour and plant hire. Smaller repairs and inspections give steadier work between larger installs.

• Groundworks or drainage experience
• Operating a mini digger safely
• Quoting and costing jobs
• Explaining regulations simply to customers

• No general trade licence is needed to install septic systems, but check the rules on discharges to ground or water with the Environment Agency (or the Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish equivalent). Some discharges need registration or a permit, which is usually the homeowner's responsibility, so you should be able to advise customers on it
• Building regulations approval and percolation testing for new drainage fields: check with the local council's building control
• Check whether you need a waste carrier registration before taking away old tanks or sludge; rules and exemptions vary, so confirm with the Environment Agency
• Public liability insurance, tools and plant cover, and employer's liability if you hire help
• Risk of dig-ins on buried services and trench collapse, so use safe digging practice
• Failed installs can be costly, so quote carefully and keep records

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on the tools, plant hire or equipment you need and your insurance. Hiring plant as needed can help keep upfront costs down.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £3,000 to £14,000, depending on the number and size of jobs you take on. Careful quoting matters, as failed installs can be costly.

Check the rules on discharges to ground or water with the Environment Agency or its equivalent, as some need registration or a permit. Also check building regulations and percolation testing with local building control, and whether you need waste carrier registration.