Systems that fail must be repaired or upgraded. If you own a home with a septic system or cesspool and have plans to put it up for sale, add a bedroom or convert it to a different use, you will need to have your system inspected - and possibly fixed or replaced. This brochure is intended to help you make the right decisions about who to hire and how to finance repairs if they are necessary. When you need to hire a system inspector, there are two important things you need to bear in mind. First, inspection fees are not regulated by the Department of Environmental Protection or anyone else.
Inspectors can charge whatever their customers are willing to pay.
The fee also may vary depending on the complexity of the inspection. Ask for and check each inspector's identification and references. Before signing any contract, be absolutely certain that it spells out precisely what work is going to be done, how much it is going to cost, what the payment terms are, and what, if any, guarantees the inspector is willing to provide. And, once the inspection is complete, make sure the person who signs the form is the same person who conducted the inspection. What To do If Your System Fails If your septic system or cesspool fails inspection, Title 5 allows up to two years for the completion of repairs or an upgrade.