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The Septic Contractor Pre-Hire Checklist
Twenty-one questions to ask before, during and after a septic service visit in Davidson County — including the truck-marking check that takes five seconds and tells you whether the operator is permitted to be hauling septage at all. Written to be printed and kept with the property paperwork.
It works against any contractor, including us. That is the point of it.
What is on it
The full checklist
Nothing is held back behind the form — the questions are all here. The download is the printable version, formatted to take to the property.
Before booking
- Does the contractor hold a TDEC Septic Tank Pumping Contractor permit?
- Will the quote change if the access lid has to be located and excavated? By how much?
- Is the tank emptied to the floor, or is liquid drawn off?
- Are sludge and scum depths measured before pumping, and recorded?
- Are the inlet and outlet baffles inspected while the tank is empty?
- Is the effluent filter located and rinsed, if one is fitted?
- Will findings be provided in writing, dated?
When the truck arrives
- Does the vehicle display the firm name and address plus the septage removal permit number, in lettering at least two inches high on a contrasting background?
- Is a department-issued identifying sticker displayed?
- Has the liquid level been read against the outlet invert before anything is pumped?
- Ask to look into the tank before the lid goes back on — the floor should be visible.
Before they leave
- What was the sludge depth, and what does it mean for the interval?
- What condition are the baffles in? Ask to see a photograph.
- Was there an effluent filter? If not, how was that confirmed?
- Is there anything to monitor, and anything to fix?
- What is the date of the next service?
- Get the written findings before the truck leaves.
For the property file
- Dated service record with volume removed
- Photographs of the empty tank interior
- Tank position measured from two fixed points
- The county permit file, if you have not pulled it before
Get the printable version
Sent by email, formatted for a single page.
Ready to book instead?
Covering Nashville and Davidson County. Price confirmed before any work starts.