Get a Septic System Design That Saves You Time, Money & Headaches
Avoid rework, prevent delays, and get fully compliant septic plans engineered specifically for your property. Land Perc provides clear designs, accurate soil data, and smooth permitting so your project moves forward without surprises.
Start a New OrderWe’ve worked with hundreds of residential builders across the state. The difference between a smooth build and a stalled one often comes down to who you hire to handle the septic side of the project.
If you’re hiring a septic designer, here are five questions you should always ask before you move forward. Because a few good answers now can save you from delays, redlines, and failed inspections later.
1. Do you understand Florida’s septic codes and how they change from county to county?
Florida’s septic rules are governed by the Florida Department of Health under Chapter 64E-6, but how those rules are applied can vary significantly by county. Some counties are stricter with setbacks. Others have unique expectations for high water tables, lot sizes, or system types.
If your designer doesn’t know the specifics of the jurisdiction you’re building in, you’re risking a rejected permit.
What to ask:
- “Have you submitted septic designs in this county before?”
- “Do you know what this reviewer typically looks for?”
- “Are you current on the latest rule changes from the state or county?”
You want someone who’s already worked with the health department you’re dealing with—not someone learning on the job
2. Do you provide a full engineered design that matches the home layout and site plan?
The septic system isn’t an isolated feature. It needs to work in context with the house location, driveways, grading, and utility layout. If the septic layout conflicts with anything else on the lot, it won’t get approved, and it might not even get built correctly.
We’ve seen builders lose weeks because a drainfield was drawn too close to the house or under a future pool location. These aren’t theoretical problems. They’re real, expensive mistakes.
What to expect: A quality septic designer will request your site plan and structural layout before starting. They should verify space for the tank, drainfield, setbacks, and any required shoulders or slopes based on your specific system type.
3. How do you handle soil analysis and high water table challenges?
Florida soils are all over the map. One lot has sandy, fast-draining soil. The next one is packed clay with a high water table. A good design depends on a clear understanding of what the ground can handle.
Some counties require a site evaluation performed by a licensed engineer or septic contractor. Others allow the health department to handle the percolation test. Either way, the design has to match the soil and the season.
What to ask:
- “Do you perform the site evaluation or coordinate it?”
- “How do you determine if a mound system is needed?”
- “What happens if the water table is too high for a conventional drainfield?”
A knowledgeable designer will walk you through your options without guessing or oversimplifying.
4. Do you help with the permitting process?
A septic design isn’t worth much if it doesn’t pass permitting. Some designers simply provide a drawing and then move on. Others guide the plan through submittal, review, and any required revisions.
What to clarify:
- “Do you handle the permit application, or do I submit it?”
- “If the county comes back with a revision request, who handles that?”
- “How quickly can you respond to a permit comment or correction?”
Even if you’re submitting the permit yourself, you want a designer who is responsive and knows how to communicate effectively with the reviewer. That alone can shave days—or even weeks—off your timeline.
5. Can I see examples of septic plans you’ve had approved in Florida?
This is where you separate the pros from the pretenders. If someone says they design septic systems but can’t show you a clean, permitted plan from a recent project, you may be taking a risk.
A good septic plan should show:
- Correct tank and drainfield placement
- Required setbacks from buildings, property lines, and wells
- Elevation or contour data, if needed
- Sizing based on the number of bedrooms and usage
- Proper slopes and shoulders, especially for mounded systems
Ask to see: A sample plan from a county you work in or a similar type of lot. That’s the best way to tell if this designer understands your build environment.
The Right Septic Partner Keeps You Building
As a builder, your time is valuable, and delays cost money. A well-designed septic system, built around Florida code and the realities of your site, helps keep things moving forward.
At Land Perc, we specialize in septic system design for residential construction across Florida. That’s all we do. We know the permitting process, we’ve worked with the health departments, and we understand what it takes to get your septic plan approved the first time.
We don’t guess. We don’t cut corners. We help builders keep projects on track with septic systems that pass inspection and actually work.
Need a septic designer you can count on? Contact Land Perc today—we’re here to help.