We asked Rooter Plus to come pump our septic, due to their immediate availability and their $275 "special," which they said included 60 feet of hose. (That should have been our first red flag.) They showed up, parking at the END of the driveway, which is 60 feet all by itself.
After the diagnostic, the $275 special was inflated to $2,927 due to our "extreme situation," requiring removal of excessive solids, "crust buster," extra hoses, extra pumping, a new filter, a special oxidizer to unclog the drain field, blah, blah, blah. We were supposedly in danger of "imminent collapse" and should not even run water until we had the system serviced.
Thankfully my husband had the sense to tell them we'd think about it and we called another septic guy that we'd used in the past. (We did pay Rooter Plus a $125 "diagnostic fee.") The second pumper knew about Rooter Plus and said they have a bad reputation in the septic trade. Checking with my neighbors who have used them, they got an identical diagnosis. The "crust buster" is particularly ridiculous ($125), and the oxidizer chemicals absolutely unnecessary. The second pumper got the whole thing done with a shovel and hoses in about half an hour for $350 total.
DO NOT FALL FOR THIS COMPANY'S "SPECIALS"! They are very smooth and will rip you off with a smile and a handshake.