What a septic change order is for
Opening a septic tank often shows what nobody knew: a missing baffle, roots in the outlet, a pump that hums but does not run. A change order with the finding, a photo and the price, approved before the repair, keeps the visit honest and the homeowner informed.
What to put on a septic change order
- The original estimate.
- What was found, with photos.
- Added repairs and credits.
- Permits if needed.
- The new total.
- Approval before the repair.
A worked example
While pumping, the crew finds the outlet baffle missing and roots in the outlet line. The owner skips the risers for now.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outlet baffle replacement | 1 | each | Your price |
| Line jetting, roots in outlet | 30 | ft | Your price |
| Credit: risers postponed | -2 | each | Your price |
Photos of the open tank make the baffle finding clear. Note that roots may return and the line may need jetting again.
Line items septic companies use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Septic tank pumping | gal | By tank size; say the size pumped. |
| Locate and dig up lids | each | When lids are buried. |
| Riser and lid install | each | Brings lids to the surface for easy access. |
| Septic inspection | each | For a sale or maintenance; name what it covers. |
| Camera inspection of lines | each | House to tank, tank to field. |
| Baffle repair or replacement | each | Inlet or outlet. |
| Effluent filter cleaning | each | Where the system has one. |
| Line jetting | ft | Clears roots and buildup. |
| Pump or alarm replacement | each | For pump systems. |
| Drain field evaluation | each | Probing and inspection of the field. |
| Drain field repair or replacement | each | Design and permits often required. |
| Permit and health department fees | each | Repairs and replacements often need county approval. |
Terms and deposit language for septic
- Deposit. No deposit on pumping and inspections. Repairs and drain field work take a deposit for permits and materials.
- Payment. Due on completion for pumping and inspections; repairs by milestone.
- Warranty. State your workmanship warranty on repairs; pumps and alarms carry the maker's warranty.
- Lids must be located; digging is billed if they are buried.
- Drain field work usually needs county or health department permits and may need a design.
- Driving over the drain field can damage it; trucks stay off it.
How to fill it in
- Put in the original estimate number and amount.
- Write what changed in the reason box, plainly.
- Add the new work; type a minus quantity for any credit.
- Fill in the days added.
- Print it for a signature on site, or send it from Koira to sign by phone.
Free tools for septic
- Labor rate calculator
- Pipe volume calculator
- Maintenance plan pricing calculator
- Satellite measuring tool
The same change order for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, remodeling, roofing, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.