Sewer Construction Help Me!

I am in the middle of building a modular home in NJ. I own the land. My engineer's plans for the sewer where approved, but the sewer connection is 9 Ft. deep and I need run it from one intersection to the next, approx. 260'. This will definetly involve well points. I cannot get a contractor to call me back with an estimate so I have no idea how much money I'm going to need. Everyone says it's expensive, but how expensive? The town will be installing sewers lines in 2 years, but I do not want to be tied up in this that long. I want the most bang for my buck. I will make more profit if I finish the house, but the land has appreciated so can make some money selling the land too. Would it be better to go septic and sell the property after construction? Extend the sewer , then sell? Or Sell the land with some of the approvals I have already attained?

Comments(8)

  • woodsong1st December, 2004

    Please explain a little more....
    When you say run it from one intersection to the next...do you have to install the line under the street paving? Crossing other driveways? What do you mean by "well points"??
    What size line did your engineer call for...6"? 8"? Just one manhole @ the end of the line? Are you coring into an existing manhole or do you have to doghouse an existing line and set a new manhole?
    Also important to know...does the line you are installing only cross your property, is it in the public street right of way, or is it crossing private property that requires an easement?

    All these items will impact the cost. For a ballpark estimate without my knowing any of the above, if you are running 8" sewer line with only one manhole @ the end of the line and coring into an existing one at the tie-in, you can estimate that it will probably cost around $9,000, a very very high price for one modular home.[ Edited by woodsong on Date 12/01/2004 ]

  • samonenate1st December, 2004

    This needs to be installed in the public right of way., under the road. Since the sewer line is deep it will go under the water table, well points drain water out of the trenches so the line can be laid. I'm told there's a machine on a generator that pumps the water out through the well points. The engineer called for 8" pipe. The line will run from an exsisting manhole and then be plugged.

  • woodsong1st December, 2004

    under the road?

    Your costs to install this line for 260' are going to be higher than what I stated in my previous email, by a lot. I don't know what the fair market value of a modular home would be on this lot but I HIGHLY doubt it is worth the cost to do this sewer line. I am surprised your engineer did not tell you this from the start. Also, by the way, 9' depth on the line, in the world of sewer lines, is not really that deep. a normal track hoe can easily dig to 15' without issue.

    Either way, I am quite sure that a septic system on the lot will save you a bunch of money, and I do mean a bunch.

    Is it a highly traveled street? Will they let you saw cut the road or do you have to bore it?

  • samonenate1st December, 2004

    They will let me saw cut and patch the road. It is just a a small residential street. I appreciate your input.

  • hlgmoney1st December, 2004

    You may not need to wellpoint at this depth. Here we very rarely wellpoint at 9 feet, but it does happen. If you have a good sewer man, not just a hoe operator, you can get it done. One word of caution, do not attempt this install yourself. 260' of 9' deep sewer requires someone with previous sewer experience. If you were closer I would be glad to help.

    Best wishes

  • samonenate1st December, 2004

    What would you charge for this job in SC? The road is flat and it is a gravity system.

  • woodsong1st December, 2004

    Unless your area requirements are different, any and all 8" main lines are required here to always terminate into a manhole.

    Estimated costs:

    $135 per verticle foot of manhole construction (Precast). 1 MH @ 6.5 VF= $877.50 total (assumes 261' installed @ roughly 1.1% grade, lower invert level 9' below grade. Note that if you get within 6' of pavement grade, at least around here, you will have to switch from SCH 35 pipe to ductile iron (DIP) which is more expensive).
    $20 per linear foot for 8" pipe to be installed= $5220 (this is a higher price per ft. quote but may be applicable for such a small job, includes bedding stone).
    $750 to tie into existing line (core MH, build new invert).
    Build invert for new MH=$200.
    6" lateral w/ cleanout= $400.
    Pressure and mandrel test of new main ($1/ft)=$260.
    Saw cut road for 261 feet= around $2,500.
    Recompact backfill, install 6" conc. base and 1" topping pavement= $3,000.
    Traffic control= $1,000 (flagman, signage, etc.)

    Total estimated cost for this line= $13,500.00, give or take a little.

  • hlgmoney1st December, 2004

    Manhole (includes invert, cover, etc) 8-10 ft deep 1750.00

    0'-6' 8" SDR 35 22.00 lf
    6'-8' 8" SDR 35 30.00 lf
    8'-10' 8" SDR 35 37.00 lf

    Cost will depend on how much of the 260' is near the 9' depth.

    Without going ontp too much detail you're probably looking at 18-22k for this job considering the roadway cut, etc, etc. It all depends on how busy guys are in your area too.

Add Comment

Login To Comment