Septic Inspection in Des Moines, IA

Time-of-Transfer Septic Inspections in Iowa

If you're selling a home in Polk, Dallas, Warren, or Madison County that has a septic system, Iowa law requires a certified time-of-transfer inspection before the property changes hands. The buyer's lender will require it. The title company will require it. The county will require it before recording the deed. We are Iowa-certified time-of-transfer inspectors (through IOWWA, the Iowa Onsite Waste Water Association, which administers the certification under DNR rules) and complete these inspections regularly across the Des Moines metro. We can typically schedule within 3 to 5 business days, complete the inspection in about 2 hours on-site, and have the official report to your title company within 48 hours. Inspection cost is $295 to $425 depending on tank size and access.

What a Real Septic Inspection Includes

A real time-of-transfer inspection is not a visual walk-around. It includes: opening the tank and visually inspecting baffles, walls, and contents; measuring sludge and scum levels with a Sludge Judge to determine if pumping is needed; running a hydraulic load test on the drain field to verify it can handle expected wastewater volume; inspecting any pumps, alarms, or treatment components on aerobic or advanced systems; documenting everything with photographs; checking for setback compliance from wells, property lines, and waterways; and producing the official Iowa Time of Transfer inspection report that the county requires for transfer. If the system fails, we explain exactly what's wrong, what it'll cost to fix, and whether the seller or buyer is typically responsible.

Pre-Purchase Inspections (Buyers)

If you're buying a home with a septic system, we strongly recommend a pre-purchase inspection even if one isn't legally required (for example, on private sales between family members). Buying a home with a failing septic system can mean inheriting a $10,000 to $20,000 repair bill in your first year of ownership. A $400 inspection that catches it before closing gives you leverage to negotiate or walk away. We can complete pre-purchase inspections on the same timeline as time-of-transfer reports.

Routine Health Inspections

If you're not selling but want to know how your system is doing, we offer routine inspection at the same price point. This is especially valuable if you bought the home several years ago without records, if you've never pumped, or if you've recently noticed warning signs (slow drains, smells, soft spots in the yard). We'll measure, document, and recommend the right service interval going forward.

Septic Service Questions, Answered