The Reed Corporation

Septic Systems

How much does a new system cost?

To answer properly, we break the answer down into two categories:

System engineering and design associated cost. These "up front" costs are included in our fee schedule and remain relatively constant from one site to another.
System installation cost - Prior to having an approved engineered plan in place, we can provide some average system installation costs based upon on site conditions and access to the work site.

Our precise estimate can only be worked up once we have an approved design plan to work from.

If I have to have a "Raised" leaching area, do I have to have a mounded look?

No, with the proper aesthetic treatment, this look can be eliminated. Raised systems can be disguised and blended into most landscapes with creative grading and terracing.

Why would I need to have a raised system disguised?

Most raised systems are designed this way because of ground water separation issues. Title V states that there must be a four foot separation from the bottom of the selected leaching facility to the estimated season high groundwater level. Prior to Title V many systems were designed and installed without regard for this horizon of filtration to protect our groundwater. This is why raised systems have only come into play since Title V code changes occurred in 1995.

Do I have to have a "candy cane" for my system?

In most cases, no. In most cases, it is the engineer's and homeowner's option whether to design this feature into the system or not. Under certain conditions when venting is required creative measures can be taken to design or even hide a venting structure. Also - some health agents require venting.

Once I acknowledge that I have a failed septic system, how should I proceed to remedy my situation?

A design plan needs to be engineered and be approved by the Board of Health before the system can be installed. The two pathways one can take to achieve this goal area:

Contract with an engineer to develop a design plan. Then select and submit bids from installation contractors of your choice. You become the General Contractor.
Decide on a contractor to contract with an engineer and to manage / coordinate all the activities from the design work through the installation and landscape reconstruction phase. The Reed Corporation becomes the General Contractor and acts as a "One Stop Shop".

Would I need to contact a landscape company to incorporate drainage and landscape improvements into the reconstruction phase?

Not with our project involvement. With our landscape background and experience solving drainage problems, we can incorporate these kinds of improvements into the scope of the project.

How long does it usually take to develop a septic design plan and have it approved?

The length of time can be extremely variable from a few weeks to a few months. The best change for a short duration would be to work with one contractor for optimum coordination efficiency. The Reed Corporation offers the best hope for a quick turn around process. We do the management and coordinating of the necessary activities with our engineer and health agent for the smoothest ride.

When installing a new system, how long will our family be inconvenienced?

If we are replacing the septic tank, only the day when we pump and remove the old one and set the new one will service be interrupted. We can usually construct the new leaching facility before the new tank fills up.

Can I install a new septic system during the winter months?

Most communities allow septic installations to take place even during the winter months as long as the weather does not become so severe that the quality is compromised. Usually it is the severe cold that would create this kind of situation. There are, however, some communities that do not allow any septic installations - not even repairs to occur during the cold weather months.

How can a septic estimate for the same-engineered project be so varied?

Much of this has to do with interpretation of the quantity of sand fill and how it is structured in the contract can mean a large swing in the pricing. In addition, the aesthetics aspect can be the other real swing factor. What condition one contractor intends leaving the site in can be much less in detail and aesthetics from another contractors intentions. How one contractor interprets and deals with a raised leaching field, final grades and aesthetics or lack there of can also be a contributing factor.

ANTIQUE GRANITE RETAINING WALLS

How much do your granite walls cost?

There are many factors that affect the pricing. These include:

The amount of materials needed.
Whether the wall is to be straight or curved.
A wall with a radius requires more shorter stones and more detailing hence they are typically more expensive.
Site access, the better the access for equipment and materials, the lower the cost.
Staging area, if there is enough room to establish a good size staging area; more material for a better selection can be brought in and spread out. This almost always accelerates the building process - thus lowering the cost.

What size pieces would you use for my wall?

We try to keep the granite pieces proportional with the desired height of the wall. The taller the wall, we would tend to use more larger pieces for stability.

How tall can you build your antique granite walls?

There is no real limit. Walls over 4' need to have an engineered plan to accompany them to satisfy local building codes. Many times we suggest building shorter - multiple walls rather than one great big tall wall. This we do for better aesthetics, better safety, better structural integrity and typically a lower cost.

Do you use mortar in your granite walls?

No, all our antique granite wall work is dry laid with detailing or filling the crevices with stone chinkers.

What is the backfill material for your walls?

We install filter fabric against the backing of the wall before we backfill - keeping the fines from bleeding through the wall. Behind the filter fabric, we use a nice porous gravel material for good drainage. Because our walls are dry laid, each one we build is extremely porous minimizing any hydraulic pressure buildup.

Can your granite walls be used as an option for septic "breakout" retaining walls?

Absolutely, all the septic design engineers and health departments we work with encourage this material for this application because of the sheer weight, mass, and structural integrity of granite… not to mention the fact that we are using a "green" product that provides great aesthetics and durability. Behind our septic retaining walls, we install an impervious barrier to meet Title V codes.

Can you build these walls even in the winter?

Yes, as long as the footings for the wall(s) can be excavated and constructed before too much frost interferes with this process. Once the footings are built, the actual wall building process can continue all winter long.

COBBLESTONES

How many cobblestones would I need for my driveway installation?

If you install them vertically, you will need approximately 2 ½ stones per square foot. If you install them as paving blocks, on their sides, you will need only approximately 2 stones per square foot.

How much do they cost?

The cost depends on several factors such as the quantity desired and the form that they are in for either pickup or delivery. Palletized cobblestones are a little more expensive than stones in bulk orders. For more accurate pricing call or e-mail us.

Do you deliver these cobblestones?

Yes, we can arrange for delivery to virtually all US and many foreign destinations.

Can you do my installation work as well?

We absolutely can. Whether it is a roadway, a driveway, parking area, patio, sitting or retaining wall, edging, or apron, we can provide a quote on any installation.

Do the cobblestones for a driveway installation need to be set in cement?

Typically only those for the boarders and aprons need to be set in cement. The main body of the driveway need only be set dry laid in sand or stonedust.

How much do cobblestones weight?

Jumbo cobblestones average 30 pounds while mediums average about 25 pounds.

How many cobblestones come on a pallet?

Minimally 100 - most have an average of 104.

BRICK PAVERS

How do I figure how many bricks I need for a particular job?

Bricks are all sizes but most clay pavers typically average 4'' wide X 4'' thick X 8½'' long which translates into approximately 5 pavers per square foot.

What is the cost of paving blocks?

The cost depends on variables such as quantity orders, type of brick and project location. These are all factors that affect the cost of shipment and total price of the brick.

How much do these brick paver's weight?

Approximately 10 pounds.

Do you deliver? In what form are they delivered?

Yes, we can arrange delivery to virtually any desired zip code in the US and beyond. All bricks are stacked, wrapped and shipped on pallets of approx. 300 pavers/pallet. 16 pallets/truck load.

Do you do the installation work as well?

Yes, our extensive landscape background lets us provide whatever level of detail is required for your project.

How do brick pavers compare with cobblestones in the same application?

Both materials are extremely strong and durable. While they provide two totally different looks, many times both products are used to highlight and enhance the other, i.e. as borders, aprons, etc.

Are brick pavers less or more expensive than granite cobblestones?

They can be less expensive but many times quite comparable in price. Call or e-mail us for accurate pricing.