A house on septic is really two purchases: the house and the system buried in the yard. A failed drainfield can cost more than a new roof. You want to know before you sign.
We set up full septic inspections for buyers, sellers, and real estate agents across Northern Nevada. The tank gets pumped, the parts get checked, and you get a written report you can hand to your agent or lender.
What's included
- Pump the tank so the inside can actually be seen
- Check tank walls, lids, baffles, and effluent filter
- Check the drainfield for wet spots or surfacing sewage
- Flow test the plumbing into the tank
- Optional camera scope of the lines
- Written report with photos and findings
Signs you need this
- You're under contract on a home with septic
- You're listing a home and want no surprises
- Your lender asked for a septic certification
- You don't know when the tank was last pumped
- You're adding a bedroom, ADU, or addition
Visual check vs. full inspection
Nevada's state environmental health office offers a basic loan certification inspection for about $133. It's a visual check for surfacing sewage and bad connections. It does not open or pump the tank.
A full inspection opens the tank, pumps it, and looks at the parts that actually fail. If you're spending hundreds of thousands on a home, the full inspection is worth it.
Sellers: inspect before you list
If the buyer's inspector finds a problem, you're negotiating under a deadline. If you find it first, you control the fix and the price. A clean report is also a selling point in the listing.
Septic Inspection cost
Full septic inspections in Northern Nevada usually run about $300 to $600, depending on whether the tank is pumped and scoped at the same visit.
See the full Northern Nevada price guide →
Septic Inspection near you
We serve homes on septic in 22 towns and neighborhoods across Northern Nevada:
Common questions
Who pays for the septic inspection?
Usually the buyer, as part of their due diligence. Sellers sometimes pay for one up front to speed up the sale. It's negotiable.
How long is a septic inspection good for?
Most lenders and buyers want one done within the last few months before closing.
Do you need the tank lids exposed?
Yes. If the lids are buried, we locate and dig them up as part of the visit.