15 Questions to Ask a Septic Company Before You Hire Them (2026)

Ask these 15 questions about TCEQ licensing, $500,000+ liability insurance, and written cost breakdowns before hiring any Texas septic company.

A few direct questions before you hire a septic company can save you from unlicensed work, surprise charges, and problems that show up months later. Per TCEQ's occupational licensing program, Texas requires specific licenses for septic installation, repair, and maintenance. The right questions help you separate qualified providers from the ones cutting corners.

Print this list or save it on your phone. Ask these questions when you call for quotes.

Category	Key Questions	Why It Matters
Licensing	TCEQ license type and number, on-site crew credentials	Unlicensed work violates Texas law and voids insurance
Insurance	General liability ($500,000+), workers' comp certificate	You're liable if an uninsured worker is injured on your property
Pricing	Written estimate with line-item breakdown, change order policy	Prevents surprise charges that can double your bill
Service Details	System type match, process timeline, permit handling	Wrong license type for your system means the work isn't legal
Warranty	Parts and labor terms in writing, inspection failure policy	Verbal promises disappear when something goes wrong

What Licensing Questions Should You Ask a Septic Company?

Every Texas septic company must hold a current TCEQ license. Ask for the license type and number, then verify it on the TCEQ database.

1. "What TCEQ license do you hold, and what's the number?"

This is the most important question on the list. Under TCEQ's occupational licensing rules (30 TAC Chapter 285), septic work in Texas requires specific licenses:

• Installer I for standard septic system installation and repair
• Installer II for complex systems, aerobic units, and alternative designs
• Maintenance Provider for aerobic system maintenance contracts

The company should give you a license number without hesitating. If they dodge this question or say "we're working on it," call the next company.

2. "Who will actually do the work on my property?"

Sometimes the person answering the phone holds the license, but the crew they send doesn't. Ask who will be on-site and whether that person is licensed or working under direct supervision of the licensed professional. TCEQ allows apprentices to work under supervision, but the licensed professional should be involved in the job.

3. "Has your license ever been suspended or revoked?"

You can verify this yourself on the TCEQ website, but asking directly tells you a lot about the company's transparency. A company with a clean record won't mind the question. A company that gets defensive might have something to hide.

What Insurance Questions Should You Ask a Septic Company?

Verify the company carries at least $500,000 in general liability insurance and workers' compensation before any crew sets foot on your property.

4. "Do you carry general liability insurance?"

General liability covers damage to your property during the work. Ask for the coverage amount and request a certificate of insurance. A standard policy for septic work should be at least $500,000 in coverage.

5. "Do you have workers' compensation?"

If a worker gets injured on your property and the company doesn't carry workers' comp, you could face a lawsuit. This is especially important for installation and repair jobs where heavy equipment is involved.

6. "Can I get a copy of your insurance certificate?"

Don't take their word for it. Ask them to have their insurer send you a certificate. Any legitimate company with active insurance can do this within a day or two.

What Pricing and Estimate Questions Should You Ask?

Always get a written estimate with line-item costs for labor, materials, permits, and disposal before work starts.

7. "Can I get a detailed written estimate?"

The estimate should break down:

• Labor costs
• Materials and equipment
• Permit fees (and who handles the application)
• Disposal fees (for pumping)
• Any potential add-on charges

If a company gives you a single lump-sum number without explaining what's included, ask for the breakdown. You need specifics to compare quotes fairly.

8. "What could cause the price to change?"

Good companies are upfront about what might increase the cost. Common legitimate reasons include:

• Tank lid buried deeper than expected (extra digging)
• Unexpected damage found during inspection
• Soil conditions requiring different materials
• Permit complications

The key word is "unexpected." If the company quotes you one price and then tacks on charges for things they should have anticipated, that's a problem.

9. "What's your payment schedule?"

Be cautious of any company that wants full payment before starting work. A reasonable arrangement for installation or repair is:

• 25-50% deposit to schedule and order materials
• Balance due on completion and your approval

For routine pumping, full payment after service is standard. If a pumping company wants money upfront, that's unusual.

What Service-Specific Questions Should You Ask?

Confirm the company's license covers your system type, ask about the process and timeline, and verify who handles permits and inspections.

10. "What type of system do I have, and is your license authorized for this work?"

This question does two things. It tests whether the company knows enough to identify your system, and it confirms their license covers it. Installer I license holders can't legally work on alternative or aerobic systems. That requires an Installer II.

If you're not sure what type of system you have, a good company will help you figure it out. A bad one will just start working.

11. "What's the process you'll follow, and how long will it take?"

For pumping, the answer should include setup, pumping, inspection, and cleanup (1-2 hours total). For installation, expect site preparation, tank placement, drain field or dispersal system installation, electrical connections for aerobic, and county inspections. For more on what to expect during pumping, see our pumping process guide.

12. "Will this require permits, and who handles them?"

According to TCEQ permitting guidelines, most septic installation and major repair work in Texas requires a county permit. Your provider should handle the application and schedule inspections. If a company suggests skipping the permit "to save you money," that's a major red flag. Unpermitted work can mean fines, and it'll cause problems when you sell your home.

What Warranty and Follow-Up Questions Should You Ask?

Get repair warranties of 6 months to 2 years and installation warranties of 1-5 years in writing before any work begins.

13. "What warranty do you offer on parts and labor?"

Warranty terms vary widely in the Texas septic industry:

Service Type	Typical Warranty
Pumping	None (one-time service)
Repair	6 months to 2 years on parts and labor
Installation	1-5 years on labor, manufacturer warranty on equipment
Aerobic maintenance	Covered under maintenance contract terms

Get the warranty in writing. Ask specifically what it covers and what voids it. Some warranties require you to use the same company for maintenance, so understand the terms before signing.

14. "What happens if the work fails county inspection?"

For installation and repair work, the county inspector must approve the job. Ask who is responsible for correcting any issues the inspector flags, and whether that's included in the original price. A confident company will tell you they handle it at no extra charge. A company that hedges on this question may be planning to charge you again.

15. "What maintenance will I need after this work?"

For new installations and repairs, the company should explain ongoing maintenance requirements. Conventional systems need pumping every 3-5 years. Aerobic systems need a TCEQ-required maintenance contract with quarterly inspections. If the company installs an aerobic system and doesn't mention the maintenance contract, they're not giving you the full picture.

For aerobic maintenance specifics, see our aerobic maintenance guide.

What Are Common Septic Company Upselling Tactics?

Watch for unnecessary tank replacements, aerobic conversions your soil doesn't require, and additive sales that TCEQ does not recommend.

Some tactics to recognize:

• "Your tank needs replacing" without showing you evidence (ask for photos or let you see the damage)
• Pushing aerobic conversion when your conventional system still works and your soil supports it
• Selling additives or treatments (per TCEQ guidance, commercial septic additives are not recommended and may harm your system)
• "Emergency" pressure to make a decision right now without getting other quotes
• Bait pricing with a low initial quote that grows once work starts

If something sounds expensive and unexpected, get a second opinion. A legitimate problem will still be there when the next company looks at it. For context, routine pumping costs $235-$500 in Texas, while repairs range from $627 to $3,040. A company pushing a $10,000+ replacement when a $300 pumping might solve the issue is worth questioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many quotes should I get for septic work?

Get at least 3 quotes from different TCEQ-licensed companies. This gives you enough data to spot outliers and compare scope, pricing, and warranty terms. For routine pumping, 2-3 phone quotes may be enough. For installations or major repairs, get written estimates from at least 3 providers.

What if a company refuses to answer these questions?

Move on to the next company. A qualified, legitimate provider will answer all of these questions without hesitation. Defensiveness, vague answers, or refusal to provide license numbers or insurance certificates are all signs the company isn't operating professionally.

Should I always choose the company with the best online reviews?

Reviews help, but check the pattern over time rather than the star rating alone. Look for repeated complaints about the same issues (surprise charges, missed appointments, sloppy work). Also verify that the company is TCEQ-licensed, since positive reviews don't replace proper licensing.

Can I verify a septic company's TCEQ license online?

Yes. Search the TCEQ Occupational Licensing database by company name, individual name, or license number. The database shows license type, status (active or expired), and expiration date. It takes about 2 minutes. Do this before every hire, even for companies you've used before.

What's the difference between Installer I and Installer II?

Installer I covers standard septic systems only. Installer II covers all system types, including aerobic, alternative, and complex designs. To get an Installer II license, the professional must have held an Installer I for at least a year and completed a minimum of 3 verified installations. If your property needs anything other than a basic conventional system, you want an Installer II.

How much should I expect to pay for common septic services?

Routine pumping runs $235-$500 for most Texas tanks, while repairs range from $627 to $3,040 depending on what's wrong. New installations cost $5,300-$12,000 for conventional systems and more for aerobic. Emergency or after-hours calls typically add $100-$300 to the base price. Always compare at least 3 written estimates before committing to anything beyond routine pumping.

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Last updated: February 7, 2026 Reviewed by: Texas Septic Guide Editorial Team, content verified against TCEQ licensing requirements and Texas septic industry consumer protection practices

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Sources: TCEQ occupational licensing requirements; TCEQ septic system regulations (30 TAC Chapter 285); Texas provider industry surveys 2025-2026; Texas Attorney General consumer protection guidance.