Ingham County Well and Septic Inspections
In Ingham County (MI) it is the responsibility of the seller to have a time of sale well and septic inspection performed before selling a house. My primary focus at MWSI is helping people get those inspections completed so that their home sale process can move forward!
Real Estate Inspections
If you’re looking for a well and septic inspection for real estate transactions I can help! I also provide inspections to satisfy the needs of :
Buyers/Sellers
Lenders
ICHD Time of Sale Program FAQs
How Long Does an Inspection Take?
An inspection for time of sale (ToS) as required here in Ingham County usually takes a couple of hours from start to finish.
When Will I Have My Results?
Here are common estimated turnaround times for ToS inspections:
Scheduling Inspection: 1-3+ days
Water Lab Tests - 1-3 days
County Compliance Letter: 3-7+ days
From your first phone call with me, we have to schedule the appointment. I then have to request well & septic records from the county which can take time to arrive. Then, I’ll have to perform the inspection at your property. After that water samples must be analyzed at the lab. Finally, this compiled information is sent to ICHD for review and they will contact you with your final results.
As you can imagine, with so many moving parts this process can easily take 10-14 days or more from start to finish. Please plan ahead and schedule your ToS inspection well before you need to close on your home.
How Accurate Are These Inspections?
Well and septic inspections are visual inspections of complex systems. My goal is to thoroughly check and analyze your system and its components based on industry best practices. However, due to the dynamic nature of your system and the numerous non-visible (buried) aspects involved, there is always some degree of unknown.
What Does a Well & Septic Inspection Cover?
A ToS well and septic inspection here in Ingham County covers a range of important checks laid out by the local county health department. These include the septic drain field, pressure tank, well location, isolation distances, and other important features critical to public health.
When is Payment Due?
Because the county charges me to process your paperwork, payment for your inspection is due before I will submit your inspection paperwork to the county. To expedite the process, payment by check or cash at the time of the inspection is the most ideal.
Who Needs a ToS Inspection?
Everyone who wants to sell a house in Ingham County that has on-site water supply or on-site wastewater systems must have a ToS inspection performed by a county-certified inspector.
Who Makes the Final Decision?
Your county-level health department will make the final decision on compliance. As an inspector, my job is to be an independent third party to ensure objectivity during the inspection process. I do not have any control over compliance decisions. My job is to accurately report what is found (or not found) during the inspection and allow the ICHD to make final decisions.
Does it Count as a Warranty?
Inspections are not, and should not be perceived as, any kind of guaranty or warranty about your well or septic system.
What Areas Do You Serve?
For ToS inspections I work with all of Ingham County. If you have a need outside of the county give me a call - I can probably help you out.
Why Don’t Inspectors Look in My Septic Tank?
Here in Ingham County sellers are required to have a Septic Tank Maintenance Report (STMR) provided by a licensed septic hauler within 3 years prior to the sale of the home. This STMR details important inspection criteria involving the tank itself. While there are important clues about your system that can be gleaned from the tank, I can’t personally provide an STMR as a Certified Time of Sale Inspector and therefore it’s required by ICHD to let a licensed septic hauler complete this step of the process. (List of preferred septic haulers for STMRs.)
What’s the Point of a ToS Inspection?
Michigan is the last state in the entire county without a state-level well & septic inspection requirement. Therefore it’s up to each county, township, or municipality to decide on these requirements.
Here in Ingham County our health department deems it necessary to check well & septic systems at the time of sale to ensure they meet basic minimum public health standards.