Since codes and regulations set minimum requirements for system installations, a lot of installers often bid and install to those minimums in order to be competitive with their pricing.
However, there are several things that can be offered to customers as options or alternatives on the proposals, in addition to the base bid, that would add value and longevity to the system — and additional revenue to the installer.
Let’s start with the items that are the low hanging fruit, the easiest but biggest impact items.
Larger septic tank capacity
Here’s where treatment starts, and larger capacity gives longer retention time which is a win-win for the system. Longer retention time gives the bacterial action more time to work its magic on the solids. In reviewing this idea, Minnesota actually increases septic tank capacity if the house will have a garbage disposal or if the water is pumped into the septic tank by a sewage ejector or grinder pump. In Nebraska, septic tank size increases if the house has a whirlpool tub. Larger capacity is always a good idea if the customer can fit this in the budget.
Decades ago, before two compartment tanks and filters were typical, we would offer a second septic tank as an option to make the system more efficient. We installed a lot of two-tank systems.
Septic tank concrete additives
Some manufacturers offer additives that prevent concrete corrosion and other additives that prevent or actually seal tiny leaks. Additives do add considerable cost to a septic tank but some people who have had tanks fail from concrete corrosion (or know of someone who has) might actually consider an additive that will protect their new tank(s) from the same issue.
Additional square footage of soil distribution area
If area permits, I give an alternate for additional square footage of the soil distribution area. Just because the code gives you a minimum doesn’t mean the minimum is what has to be installed. If the owner can fit it in the budget, more square footage is excellent for any system. I always watch the loading rate, and as the loading rate decreases (i.e., finer textured soil) I tend to stress the importance of the additional square footage a little more.
Additional effluent filter
On every system we already have the filter screen in the second compartment of the septic tank. On pressurized or dosed systems we always give our customer the option of adding an additional filter at the pump outlet.
Text alarm
For dose systems and holding tanks where Wi-Fi is available we offer the option to upgrade their alarm to text up to three phone numbers if the alarm activates, alerting them of the high level.
Solar panel for holding tank alarm
Holding tanks only need one low-voltage wire for the alarm. We’ve actually had several jobs where it would have been quite difficult to either run a wire to the building or have power at the close end of the building. In each of those cases, we used solar-powered alarm panels. This option has come in very handy on several replacement (existing building) projects where there was no easy place to run a wire or have power.
Pretreatment
This one isn’t a novel idea but in some instances pretreatment is a fit for either downsizing a system or for the customer who asks about the most environmentally sound system. I’ve actually had customers contact me to add pretreatment to their existing system to prevent a biomat from forming so that their system would last much longer. Others ask about pretreatment when researching ideas for their new system.
Rerouting water softener and iron filter re-gen
Luckily the state I’m in allows the re-gen of water softeners and iron filters to be rerouted outside of the onsite system. Recently I witnessed firsthand the damage an iron filter can do to an onsite system. We had a family who, while waiting for a system replacement, used their septic and dose tank temporarily as holding tanks for six months. For six months their tanks were pumped clean weekly. A week after their system was installed, a walk-through to educate the family on the system found that all three chambers of their tanks — two septic and the pump tank — all had a very troubling brown mat 5 to 6 inches thick, but the effluent screen was clean. They immediately had the tanks pumped (once again) and completely cleaned to rid the system of the thick brown scum layer. In one week it was back again in all three chambers. Through a process of elimination they unplugged their iron filter, and the thick brown scum layer immediately stopped appearing as long as the iron filter remained unplugged. We recommend to our customers, where allowed, to install a type of French drain so the re-gen of the water softener and iron filter has somewhere else to go. We are finding some builders requiring two separate sewer lines exit the house: one for sanitary, and one for the water treatment re-gen.
The above are just a sample list of alternatives that can be added to a proposal after the base bid. The more you can offer to increase the efficiency of your customer’s system, the longer and more problem-free their system will function. That makes a happier customer. And by offering additional options, it also covers you when they say, “Why wasn’t I aware I could have done X?” (You were aware, I offered it in writing on the proposal you signed.)
About the author
Todd Stair is vice president of Herr Construction, Inc., with 34 years’ experience designing, installing, repairing, replacing and evaluating septic and mound systems in southeast Wisconsin. He is the author of The Book on Septics and Mounds and a former president of the Wisconsin Onsite Water Recycling Association.
