Building on land in Colorado? Start the septic sooner than you think.

On land without sewer service, the septic system affects where the house, the well and the driveway can go. Plan it first and the rest of the site falls into place. Leave it for last and you may find the only good spot for a leach field is under your garage.

Step 1: Before you buy, if you can

Not every lot can take a simple septic system. Shallow rock, heavy clay, steep slopes and high groundwater all limit the options. If you have not closed yet, ask what is known about the soil, and consider making a soil evaluation part of your due diligence.

Step 2: Soil evaluation

Test pits are dug where the field is expected to go, and the soil is evaluated. This decides what type and size of system the lot needs. It is the step everything else waits on.

Step 3: Design

The system is designed for the soil, the number of bedrooms and the layout of the lot. The design has to keep required distances from the well, the house, property lines and any water.

Step 4: County permit

The design goes to your local public health agency for review. Review times vary by county and by season. In many counties the building permit for the house depends on the septic permit, so a delay here is a delay for the whole build.

Step 5: Installation and inspection

The installation itself is usually the short part. The county inspects the system before it is covered.

Where the delays come from

• Waiting to start the soil evaluation until the house plans are done
• Changing the bedroom count after the design is finished
• Frozen ground. See installing a septic system in winter.
• Busy seasons at the county

What to have ready when you call

• The address or parcel number
• The number of bedrooms you plan to build
• A site plan or survey, if you have one
• Where the well is or will be

Call or text (720) 273-0109 and we will set up a site visit. For what it is likely to cost, see how septic pricing works.