We install new septic systems for new homes, built to your Tennessee state permit and ready for the state’s inspection before anything is covered.
We don’t pump or repair tanks. We put in new systems.
Get a free site visitYou have the lot and the house plan, and the septic system has to go in before you can move in. We install it to your state permit and plan it with the clearing, the house pad and the driveway, so one job doesn’t get in the way of the next.
We work to the permit and to your schedule. We can take the clearing, the pad and the septic system as one crew, so your trades aren’t waiting on each other.
See builder and developer site prep →In Tennessee you need a state permit to build, change or repair a septic system. The permit comes from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC). A TDEC Environmental Scientist visits the property and does a site evaluation to decide what kind of system it needs. Sometimes the state also asks for a soil map from a private licensed soil consultant. TDEC says processing can take up to 45 days after it receives a complete application.
Once the permit is issued, it goes to a licensed installer. Septic installers in Tennessee need their own permit from the state. They have to pass an exam and install a system under the state’s supervision, and they renew every year.
When the system is in the ground, the installer calls the Environmental Scientist to schedule a final inspection before the system is covered. Nothing gets buried until the state has seen it.
Sources: TDEC septic system FAQs · TDEC installer and related permits · TDEC soil consultants · TDEC septic system permits
Every system goes in to its permit and its plan. Here’s the order of work.
We go over your state permit and its site plan with you before we start.
We stake out the tank and the field lines to the permit, using GPS layout.
Our excavators dig for the tank and the field lines. We set the tank and install the lines to the permit.
We call the state to inspect the system before anything is covered. Nothing gets buried until the state has seen it.
We backfill, grade the area, and leave it ready for the next step.
Our CAT 305 and 308 mini excavators dig the tank hole and the field line trenches. The 305 fits tight spots, and the 308 handles deeper digs and longer reach.
Richard is involved from the first site visit through the final inspection. If something needs a decision on site, the decision-maker is already there.
Most new homes need more than a septic system. We can clear the lot, cut the house pad, put in the septic system and rough in the driveway path, planned together so one job doesn’t undo another.
Getting ready for the state’s site visit? TDEC asks owners to mark the property lines and the house location and to mow or bush hog the site first (TDEC FAQs). If your lot is too grown up for that, we can clear it.
“Thank you Gravel Driveway Recovery for a professional job well done! I especially liked that you met your schedule, you kept us informed, and kept to your estimate. Thanks again!”
Tom DeHartGoogle review
From Gravel Driveway Recovery. Same crew, same standards.“Richard and crew were a pleasure to work with from beginning to end. Knowledgeable, courteous, professional, reliable. Richard was very responsive to our inquiry, gave us accurate quotes…”
JenGoogle review
From Gravel Driveway Recovery. Same crew, same standards.“I can’t say enough good about this company. They arrived on schedule and stayed in communication the entire time at our home. It looks great and FLAT! We are very happy and plan to use them for other work in the future.”
Patricia JohnsonGoogle review
From Gravel Driveway Recovery. Same crew, same standards.Yes. The state requires a permit to build, change or repair a system.
Tennessee works a little differently. A state Environmental Scientist does a site evaluation, and sometimes the state asks for a soil map from a licensed soil consultant.
TDEC says up to 45 days after it has a complete application. We plan the rest of your site work around it.
The permit is for your property. We walk you through the application and then work from the permit and its plan.
Yes. The installer schedules a final inspection, and the state checks the system before it’s covered.
No. We install new systems.
Yes. We can do the clearing, pad and septic as one crew so the trades don’t wait on each other.
We install new septic systems across the six Upper Cumberland counties we serve. Not sure if you’re in our area? Call and ask.
Free site visit and a written quote. We’ll walk the lot with you, look at the permit, and lay out the work.