I’m in a similar position right now, trying to understand the septic design process before committing to anything. From what I’ve gathered, soil testing seems to be one of the first steps, and it can take a while depending on how busy the testing companies are. I’ve also heard that the design phase can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the complexity of the site and how quickly the local authorities approve the plans. A friend of mine mentioned that one mistake people often make is not planning for enough space for the drain field, which can cause issues later if the property is smaller or has poor soil conditions. I’m also curious about whether it’s better to go with a designer who also handles the installation, or if it’s smarter to keep them separate. If you’ve been through this, I’d be interested to know what you learned and what you would do differently.