Septic Systems

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Phil's Excavating installs septic systems with the utmost care. Newly washed stones and quality gravel are used and care is taken to prevent contamination. The engineer's specifications are scrupulously followed; safety is paramount at all times; and the finished job is carefully graded and seeded to give you a nice yard as soon as possible. We are a septic system installer who builds systems to last while protecting the surrounding area. 

We handle everything for you, ranging from connecting  with engineers through installation and getting town approval. Your complete satisfaction is our goal.

Cook's Septic Systems merged with Phil's Excavating to give you even more dependability and timely job completion. Brian Cook has more than 35 years experience installing septic systems and has always specialized in fine workmanship and top service. Phil's Excavating combined with Brian Cook's Septic Systems give you more than 70 years experience.

Septic System Installation

Leach Field Installation

Drain Field Installation

Perc Tests

Title 5

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Testimonial

As a local realtor for over 33 yrs,  I have always referred John Vadenais and Brian Cook to my clients  for excavation projects, septic repairs and installations. They have been incredible to deal with.  They get the job done on time, are the best price around and are very professional.  They go above and beyond to make sure the customer is satisfied and are always available to answer questions or concerns.  They work extremely well with local Health Boards and Conservation Commissions to make sure the job is done properly.  I highly recommend Phil's Excavating!!!

Suzanne R.

Bellingham, MA

We are fully insured and have many happy customers. That's because John, our owner, is a perfectionist and he'll be involved  in every aspect of your job from start to finish.

Phil's Excavating is a licensed septic contractor in the following Massachusetts towns:

• Bellingham
• Franklin
• Blackstone

We are a licensed MA Home Improvement Contractor - License #146190  

Phil's Excavating - Your excavating partner

Give us a call now for a review of your new or rebuilt septic system. We are a septic installation company that provides excellence in all our work, won't make a sales pitch and we'll give you a fair price. With more than 70 years experience between Cook's Septic and Phil's Excavating, you'll be getting the best possible workmanship, reliability and care. 

john@philsexcavating.com

508-883-7208 office phone 

Contact us Now to Set Your Job in Motion

Estimates Are Free

STRAIGHT TALK

CONSCIENTIOUS WORKMANSHIP

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

“Oh my God, John was wonderful every step of the way (installation of septic system) Through the entire series of required steps on this job—my property abuts wetlands—he kept me apprised, handled the people who had to look at and approve every detail, and approached it all without skipping a beat.  Anybody can call me anytime for a reference!" Summarized with direct quotes from telephone conversation,

Elizabeth Pell Satisfied Customer, Franklin, MA

Cook’s Septic and Phil’s Excavating were fantastic to work with. When I contacted Brian to inquire about replacing my septic system he came out and met me on the same day and filled me in on the entire process. When they started the job it was completed in a timely manner ( exactly when they said it would be) and the quality of the work was outstanding. This job required coordinating efforts with some other service providers in town and Brian handled everything seamlessly. I was happy to hear Phil’s Excavating was involved as I’d done business with John in the past and was very pleased with his work. I’d recommend Cook’s Septic and Phil’s Excavating to anyone needing their services as they are the model of what contractors should be. 

  Joe Silva - Bellingham MA

"We have used Phils for our last 2 septic systems. John is reliable and professional. He will give you the best price and service out there. We highly recommend him."  

Kerry and Terry S.- house flippers

"Brian, we want to thank you for all you did for us in installing our septic system. There were many times that you went above and beyond the call of duty. We would like to thank you for making this a wonderful experience, we can see why you are so respected in the area."

Greg, Amy & Joshua Crawford

Contact us now for a free job estimate

john@philsexcavating.com

office phone 508-883-7208

In Massachusetts, septic system design and installations are controlled by state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)and your local board of health. The state sets basic regulations and the local boards can add additional requirements to the regulations. Contact your local board and they can give you names of approved engineers to design your septic system. 

The engineer will order a perc test to analyze the soil consistency, determine how fast the soil leaches and identify the level of the water table. This will give the engineer the information he needs to design the septic system.

When the engineer’s design is approved by the board of health you can get bids for installation.

The installer also has to have the septic system reviewed and approved by the town. When completed a certificate of completion is issued. It is signed by the engineer, installer and board of health. With town approval required for both the septic system design and installation you have a degree of protection from shoddy workmanship similar to the safety that a building permit gives.

Massachusetts title 5 requires that all homes that are being sold in the state have their septic system reviewed within two years before the sale to see that it is working correctly. Contact an approved engineer to begin the process. Your local board of health can give you the name of an approved inspector. The cost of the inspection will be $500 or more.

Realtors generally recommend that you have the title 5 review before putting your house on the market. If you have a problem or the yard is dug up for the septic repair when the house is on the market, the house will be more difficult to sell. 

A house can be sold with a septic default, but it often requires an escrow deposit of one and a half  times the estimated repair costs. Repair costs vary according to the problem and can range from $500- to over $12,000-. Even if you don’t sell your house, required repairs have to be done within two years.

Cesspools won’t necessarily fail title 5, but you will need an upgrade if you add a bedroom to the house.

Tax credits are available for 40% of the design and construction costs, with a maximum of $15,000. Credit may not exceed $1500- in any one year.

It has been six months since I first contacted the town of Bellingham about a new septic.  It was a very long process for us due to all the special circumstances with the wetlands and the challenges they presented.  But throughout the process my daughter, Diane, and I had the privilege of working with some of the finest professional people we've ever known.

Laura and Betty, you were so helpful to us by sharing your knowledge and keeping us on track.  You have no idea how important that was to us.  

In the process of selecting a contractor we were required to get three quotes.  Two of the contractors I reached out to were Phil's Landscaping and Cook's Contracting.  As it turned out John Vadenais and Brian Cook teamed up to do the job for us.   

I cannot tell you what a great pleasure it was for us.  Brian and John know the business, they have the skills and the tools, they have a great crew but they have more - they have great work ethics.  They spoke to us in terms we understood and they inspired trust which in my case meant more to me than anything else.  To know that the men in my yard were going to do the job right was all anyone can ask for.

In summary, this experience, although frightening to a novice like myself, was a truly successful one because of the people involved.   I cannot thank you all enough for your great team effort.  Truly means a lot.

I want to wish you all a great Thanksgiving.  I know I am thankful for having met all of you

Warmly, Judy Olivo