Cooper's Septic Service

Called company to ask about process of pumping and checking spetic tank in preparation for house sale. Tank had not been pumped in a while. Company replied not too concerned since only two elderly people were living there. He quoted the cost pump and add bacteria to be about $300. On day of work, they opened tank and informed me that the lid needed to be replaced since the old one was oxidized. Fine. They pumped and added bacteria. Great. The system was working fine and the drain field was at the proper level. Great. They then told me that the cost would be $1200 plus tax because they had the replace the lid and the ground was frozen so the tank was hard to find. Not so great. Suggest get written quote ahead of time and costs prior to any addition work (like new lid) being started.

It went poorly related to price/cost. We had an emergency and the septic needed to be emptied. We had worked with this company before and thought they were reputable. The company charged us 1000.00 and told us they needed to come back the next day to complete the cleaning for another 1000.00. While the first days work also included snaking the line and some other assorted work it was confusing why the second day, for doing the septic pumping , would have been the same price. Luckily common sense prevailed and we held off on the second day and called other companies who were charging 300.00 to clean out the tank. When we called the Coopers about why their fees were so much and how we thought they had overcharged us they had various excuses (he had to transport the waste up by Albany, gas prices were high, other companies who charged less were probably illegally dumping the material). He also stated that he had done the other work for us as well but was then unable to explain why the second day was also going to cost 1000.00. He was unwilling to refund any of the money.

Interviewed 3 companies and assessed them on knowledge by phone. Chose Cooper's. 4 workers showed up for a shovel dig - father, son, one > 60 and a forth. They were nervous about my watching (first clue) and suggested I could continue with my work inside. I kept a close eye on them, just because they looked a little on the questionable side. They showed me the break, and discussed the repair. I ducked inside to pack another box since we were moving, and when I returned the repair had been covered with dirt. I was suspicious and wanted to test the system, and expressed my disappointment they had not shown me the final repair. The owner started ranting and raving (second clue) saying he had better things to do and "they were guaranteed - they were in the yellow pages". What a ridiculous statement! We ended up not testing the system largely because the break was so severe it had saturated the ground and would be difficult to test whether the flow had been fully stopped. Net net - flow not repaired, hired another company which dug up the repair - quick drying cement NOT used around pipe at septic tank juncture, and short new pipe loosely fitted into the existing pipe with no sealing around it. Bunch of clowns. Steer clear.