Should I have septic inspected? (agent, investment, inspection, contractors)

[tarascon]

I need some advice.
We are under contract to purchase a house. The house is 6 years old. The inspection was unremarkable. The house has a septic system. The tank was pumped out 18 months ago and, according to the contractor's invoice, was in a good working order at that time.
Should I have it inspected? It will probably cost about $500.

[Silverfall]

Yes.

[TexasHorseLady]

Yes. Absolutely. Said not just as an agent but as someone who has a septic system.

[fallingwater]

Yes also from someone that has a septic system. I looked at a house that was 8 yrs old. The listing sheet stated the septic had been replaced. Some people don't take care of them so age sometimes doesn't matter so much.

[Synergy1]

Yes

[tarascon]

Wow. Nobody is saying- no, it is fairly new and recently pumped out?
Thanks. I guess I will have to have it inspected.

[STT Resident]

I'll say no. A six year old house and $500? Ridiculous and unnecessary unless contractors these days are building septic tanks out of papier maché. Unless you have a strong suspicion that this is so or you've spoken to neighbors who've encountered problems with their systems, put that money to more practical use.

[tarascon]

OK. I just called the company that pumped the septic out 18 months ago. What they recommended was to uncover, inspect and stress test the system without pumping it out. They will do this for $250. I bit the bullet.

[Rakin]

Originally Posted by tarascon

OK. I just called the company that pumped the septic out 18 months ago. What they recommended was to uncover, inspect and stress test the system without pumping it out. They will do this for $250. I bit the bullet.

Money like this is cheap to have peace of mind and it could save you thousands if something is found wrong.

A wise and cheap investment.

[399083453]

Just because its new doesn't mean its working. Contrators screw up all the time, tanks get dropped, etc. I had one pumped for an inspection for $190. $500 seems high. Call around.