What to do if you want to build a 4 Bedroom home and your lot is rated for a 3 Bedroom Septic System
Septic questions like this are common in North Carolina, as nearly every lot larger than .5 acres requires a septic system - and most systems are rated for 3 bedrooms.1. Septic Option: Modify Your Floor Plan
In general, a room is determined to be a bedroom if it has egress window (a window you could open and leave the room from in case of emergency), a closet, and a door. Another factor is direct access or being close to a bathroom.
But if your builder converts the bedroom to an office by removing the closet and expanding the doorway to either a wide opening without a door or possibly a pair of French doors, this could allow acceptance by the building department.
If the fourth bedroom is upstairs, your builder may be able to convert it to an open bonus room or loft. You'll still have all the same square footage and usable space, but the room will be much more open.
2. Septic Option - Panel Block Septic System
It may be possible to install a panel block septic system instead of a standard septic system, depending on the soil determinations and requirements for your Improvement Permits.
A panel block system can expand the capabilities of a standard septic system to support at least one extra bedroom.
But it can also add 25% to 75% to the cost of installing a septic system, depending on how close the original septic system layout came to supporting that fourth bedroom.
A panel block septic system needs to be approved by the building department, and a lot of factors can come into play, such as that soil type and requirements that vary by county.
Every lot is unique. To best determine your options, have a trusted NC build on your lot builder review your lot and your septic system permit.
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