The Cost of Missing Small Details in Your Construction Plans
In construction, the devil isn’t just in the details—it’s in the fine print on the plans. A single missed note, overlooked soil condition, or unchecked line item can lead to thousands of dollars in unexpected costs once the work starts.
One of the biggest examples we see in Massachusetts is with septic systems.
When Soil Conditions Don’t Match the Plan
A septic system leach field must be built on soil that drains properly while still protecting groundwater. If the native soils below your field don’t meet Title V requirements, they have to be removed and replaced with Title V sand—a highly specific, tested material.
What does that mean for your budget?
Sometimes 2–3 feet of unsuitable soil needs to be removed.
Other times, 5+ feet must be taken out across the entire footprint of the field.
That can add up to hundreds of yards of Title V sand trucked in, compacted, and installed.
It’s not uncommon for this kind of oversight to cost tens of thousands of dollars once construction begins.
Why This Mistake Gets Missed
Plans vs. Reality: Plans may assume good native soil, but the ground doesn’t always cooperate.
Inspecting Agents: Health agents or inspectors don’t always catch soil inconsistencies during review. The issue only shows up when the excavation is open and it’s too late to “redesign” without major delays.
Contractor Oversight: Some contractors don’t flag these issues until it becomes a change order—leaving homeowners shocked at the added cost.
The Bigger Risk: Groundwater and Community Health
Using unsuitable soils isn’t just a budget problem—it’s a public health issue. A system built on the wrong base may:
Fail prematurely, leading to backups and costly repairs.
Allow untreated effluent to reach groundwater.
Contaminate wells or neighboring properties.
This is why Massachusetts has strict septic regulations—but strict rules don’t help if small details get overlooked before construction starts.
How Amex Construction Prevents These Costly Surprises
We’ve seen how badly one missed soil note can derail a project. That’s why our process includes:
Careful plan reviews before breaking ground.
Test pits and soil evaluation up front, not halfway through construction.
Honest conversations with clients about potential soil replacement costs if conditions aren’t favorable.
Compliance with Title V standards to protect your system, your property value, and your community’s groundwater.
The Bottom Line
A missed detail on paper can turn into truckloads of unexpected sand, days of lost time, and a massive change order. The difference between a contractor who catches it early and one who doesn’t could be the difference between a smooth project and a financial nightmare.
At Amex Construction, we don’t just “build to the plan”—we make sure the plan matches the reality of your site. That’s how we protect your budget and your property from costly surprises.
Final Thought
Before you break ground, make sure every detail has been checked, double-checked, and confirmed in the field. Because in construction, small oversights can create big bills—and when it comes to septic systems, the health of your family and neighborhood is on the line.
