Hal Owen & Associates Inc., PO Box 400, Lillington, NC 27546
Frequently Asked Questions
Why hire a soil consultant?
A Licensed Soil Scientist is a degreed professional with years of experience evaluating soil (really! It’s required to be licensed). They are versed in land regulations and their applicability; and can tell you if a parcel of land will support the septic needs of your home or business, if flood hazard soils or wetlands may limit your buildable area, or which stormwater treatment options are best for the site. In addition, many planning departments require a soil report or map certification sealed by a Licensed Soil Scientist prior to allowing new lots to be recorded. See our list of Services for a more detailed description of the services we provide.
What information should I provide for HO&A to locate my site?
We need to identify the specific parcel of land that you want us to investigate. We look up the site online using the County GIS, which allows us to see recorded property boundaries, topography, soil mapping, and aerial imagery, all of which aids us in the site investigation. Help us locate your site by providing the COUNTY NAME, ROAD NAME, PARCEL NUMBER, Current Owner Name, and/or Acreage. Lookup Your Site on the NC OneMap .
Can you issue a septic permit?
Yes. Previously, NC residents only had one option for permitting a subsurface sewage system: the Local Health Department (LHD). Recent changes to the laws and rules governing sewage waste disposal have added private permitting options which allow a Licensed Soil Scientist (LSS), Authorized Onsite Wastewater Evaluator (AOWE), or Professional Engineer (PE) to provide some or all of the services previously provided by the LHD. Hal Owen is a NC Licensed Soil Scientist and an Authorized Onsite Wastewater Evaluator (AOWE) who has written many private permits.
The local health department denied a septic permit for my lot. Can you help?
In some cases, the answer is yes. We work with the local health department to determine why the permit application was denied and evaluate options. In some cases we can investigate other areas on the property (if it is large), or check adjacent property for a septic easement or lot recombination. We may be able to design a more complex septic system or recommend an adjustment to the building site or design flow. If the Health Department has been to your site, please forward to us any correspondence or notes from their investigation to help us plan our assessment.
Shouldn’t my land support the same type septic system as my neighbor's land?
Not always. Soil patterns beneath the ground surface can sometimes be very complex. Natural variability exists in the seasonal high water table depth, parent materials, and weathering patterns. Also, there may be unseen disturbances from man’s activities, such as fill dirt or soil cutting. We will identify the best septic disposal area on your property and match a cost-effective system to it.
How do you estimate the cost of services?
Our services are typically billed on an hourly basis. We will talk with you about the type of information you need and determine a scope of service. We estimate the number of man hours that will likely be needed to complete the project from field investigation to report writing. Factors such as dense vegetation, the stone content of the surface soils, complex soil patterns, and other factors can influence the amount of time required to complete an investigation. As our estimate is tailored to your situation, we do not offer arbitrary discounts; generally a fee reduction is only enabled by reducing the level or extent of services to be provided.
Do you collect soil samples for lab analysis?
We sometimes provide this service in conjunction with a soil investigation, such as to determine if soils are expansive, or as part of the plan for vegetative cover over a septic system. If you want to know the fertility of the soil on your farm or in your garden, the NC Department of Agriculture offers this service for free or a reduced cost. Sample boxes are available at your county Cooperative Extension office or at the Agronomic Division office in Raleigh.
Do you perform septic inspections for home sales?
No. We do not offer this service. Find a Certified Wastewater System Inspector who performs such inspections on the Onsite Wastewater Contractor Inspector Certification Board website.
Do you perform soil compaction tests for construction of building foundations?
No. Soil compaction testing, or soil density testing, is used to determine the composition of the soil and if it can properly support a foundation. These tests are performed by an engineer who prepares a geotechnical report. Use the search term "soil compaction test" to locate a company that provides those services.