You’d think that if a business advertised that they installed septic systems and home sewage treatment plants they would be experienced, qualified and equipped to do so… but sadly that isn’t always the case. And with a sewage treatment system being a substantial investment and a system that you will use everyday while you continue to live in your property, it makes sense to do a little bit of extra leg work and ensure that you have engaged a trustworthy business to undertake the installation for you. 

We’ve come up with 6 ways to tell if a sewerage treatment installer is trustworthy...

1. Do they have the right licence/s and insurance?

If a business is advertising that they install septic systems and house sewerage treatment plants they should be licenced and insured with the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC). Not sure if the business that you are considering is licenced? You can check for and QBCC licences they hold by following this link. 

2. How much of the installation is done in-house vs by sub-contractors? 

A septic or house sewerage treatment plant (HSTP) installation involves a lot of different specialised services such as plumbers, drainers, machine operators, electricians, sewerage pump out services and designers. By having as many of these professionals part of the team that you are engaging it ensures the installer has better control over the timing and the quality of the installation.

Ask your installer whether they will be using their own team to provide these services, or outsourcing it to sub-contractors. 

3. What’s their reputation like & how much experience do they have? 

Sometimes the best way to determine the quality and service of the work of a company is to look online for testimonials from happy clients. These can be found in many places; the company's website, Google & Facebook are the most likely places to find reviews, but the list is endless. It may also pay to investigate how long has the company been around? You can ask them over the phone or search the web, ensuring reviews have been consistently strong over the life of the company is a good indication of a well run business, and a business that is still going to be around for time to come.

If an installer has done well by others, they’ll probably do the same for you. You may get the odd bad review - it’s almost impossible to keep everyone happy, but if there’s more than a few dissatisfied customers, alarm bells should be ringing.

4. Do they stand behind the product they sell? 

While all installers can choose to install any product you choose, it pays to investigate the recommendations that your installer is providing. 

Is the product they propose installing a reputable product? 

Does your installer service the product that they are installing? 

How much after installation support will you receive in the event that something goes wrong with your sewage treatment system in the future? 

At this point it is best to investigate whether your installer is simply quoting to install the cheapest product available, or whether they are quoting to install the system they believe is best!

5. What warranty/guarantee does the installer provide? 

If your installer is confident in their work, they will have no qualms in providing you with a guarantee for their installation services (in addition to the product warranty).
Ask what kind of guarantee the company will offer, and get documentation. This can be a physical copy, an email or publicly available on the company website.
Guarantees should cover a few basic things: The materials used, the workmanship, and most importantly, your satisfaction. This gives you assurance that you have something to hold your installer to.

6. Is your installer local? 

Both septic systems and house sewerage treatment plants require ongoing service and maintenance. By choosing a company who is local to your area and who offers strong after sales service you ensure you are choosing a supplier who will protect your investment in your HSTP. Sewage treatment systems have a lifespan of over 15 years so you really want to ensure that you establish the right partnership to ensure your system works well for the it’s lifetime!

If you would like to discuss your needs with a Toowoomba and Darling Downs based sewage treatment installation company, give us a call on 0439 648 390.