Cesspool Overflow

No, we don't have a cesspool overflow! But we would like to document our problems here so no one else has to make the same mistakes.

Today, the cesspool was finally capped with about three tons of concrete, thereby bringing to a close the only bad experience we've had with our project.

Our contractor, Marlon, had recommended a licensed cesspool contractor to us before we even arrived on the island. We put off contacting this person because we wanted to get the lot ripped first and firm up our building plans. At the time our lot was ripped, the folks who did a great job of leveling the lot offered to dig our cesspool for us since they already had the available equipment on-site. Marlon reminded us that he had a licensed cesspool contractor lined up, but we went ahead with the guys who were already running heavy equipment on our lot, especially after they assured us that they worked for a licensed cesspool contractor and could take care of all the paperwork. The price was also very affordable. Almost "too good to be true." Warning....

For whatever reason, these guys didn't finish the job. They did complete the hole and did a pretty good job of that. They also partially constructed the steel covering for the cesspool. Negotiations bogged down when we wanted them to bring the rebar for the concrete lid (which was originally agreed on) and no one showed up. Phone calls were not returned. The worst part was that our paperwork was not signed off and even though we did get the cesspool inspector to inspect and pass the cesspool, we still needed a licensed (note the word "licensed") cesspool contractor to take responsibility for the project. The guy that Marlon originally recommended wasn't willing to do this even for a cash payment of $400. Another contractor that was recommended was in Australia! Weeks went by and we were concerned that we wouldn't be able to pour the concrete lid for the cesspool prior to having a licensed cesspool contractor see the hole and agree to take on the responsibility. Finally, Katie contacted a licensed cesspool contractor that had been recommended on http://www.konaweb.com/ and http://www.punaweb.org/ by the name of Paul Andrade at Excavation Tech. Paul returned the call within 12 hours, and within 24 hours, he arrived on-site, inspected the cesspool, and agreed to sign off on the job. Paul was prompt about getting back to us, and helped us put this situation behind us, and although we haven't actually used him for any excavation or cesspool work, we would recommend him based solely on his aloha. We will include his card on our "Recommendations" post.

And the moral of the story is: listen to your contractor (if he's Marlon Ordonez!) and use a licensed cesspool contractor.