Find answers to common questions about septic systems, grease interceptors, permits, and project planning in Miami-Dade and Broward County. Understand what to expect before starting your project with 87 Construction & Engineering.
Yes. We provide septic-system installation, replacement, modification, and abandonment services for residential and commercial properties throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County. Service availability depends on the property location, site conditions, and permitting jurisdiction.
Depending on the project, our services may include:
We review the property before construction to determine the specific services required.
Yes. New septic systems and most septic-system replacements or major modifications require a permit. Additional building, plumbing, environmental, zoning, or municipal approvals may also be required.
We can review your property and help coordinate the required plans, applications, inspections, and approvals.
Common warning signs include:
A site evaluation is usually necessary to determine whether repair is feasible or full replacement is required.
Yes. We can evaluate and replace failed drainfields when permitted by the site conditions and applicable regulations. The replacement design may depend on the available property area, soil conditions, groundwater level, building use, and required setbacks.
In some cases, yes. If the drainfield remains functional and compliant, replacing only the damaged or deteriorated tank may be possible. The permitting authority may require an evaluation of the entire system before approving a tank-only replacement.
Yes. We work on both residential and commercial septic projects. Commercial systems are generally designed according to the building’s use, estimated wastewater flow, occupancy, plumbing fixtures, and site conditions.
Yes. We provide septic-abandonment and sewer-connection services where public sewer is available. The work may include:
Possibly. Connection requirements depend on the property location, the applicable utility, local regulations, and whether an official sewer-availability or connection notice has been issued.
We can review the property and help determine whether a connection is currently required.
The cost depends on several factors, including:
We provide project-specific estimates after reviewing the property and proposed scope of work.
Actual construction may take several days, but the complete project also includes design, permitting, utility coordination, inspections, and closeout. The overall schedule depends heavily on the permitting jurisdiction, system complexity, and site conditions.
Our primary focus is septic-system construction, including new installations, replacements, repairs, abandonment, and sewer conversions. If pumping is required as part of a construction project, it must be completed by an appropriately authorized septic-service provider.
Yes. We install and replace grease interceptors and grease traps for restaurants, cafés, bakeries, commercial kitchens, supermarkets, food-production facilities, and other businesses that generate fats, oils, or grease.
The terms are often used interchangeably, but they may describe different types and capacities of grease-control equipment.
A grease trap is commonly a smaller unit installed indoors near plumbing fixtures. A grease interceptor is typically a larger-capacity unit installed outdoors or underground. Hydromechanical grease interceptors may also be installed indoors or outdoors, depending on their approval and application.
The appropriate device depends on the facility, plumbing arrangement, anticipated grease discharge, available space, and requirements of the permitting authority.
Most restaurants and commercial food-service facilities that discharge—or have the potential to discharge—fats, oils, and grease into the sanitary system will require an approved grease-control device.
This can include:
A project-specific review is needed to determine the applicable requirements.
Miami-Dade businesses that handle, prepare, or process food and have the potential to discharge fats, oils, or grease may be required to obtain a Fats, Oils and Grease Discharge Control Operating Permit, commonly called a FOG or GDO permit.
We can assist with the grease-control-device plans, calculations, permitting documents, installation, and required corrections.
Yes. We can review the Notice of Violation, inspection report, or permitting comments and develop a plan to bring the facility into compliance. Depending on the violation, the work may include:
Yes. A cracked, leaking, deteriorated, or improperly installed interceptor may require repair or complete replacement. We can evaluate the existing installation, determine the appropriate replacement unit, prepare the required plans, and complete the permitted installation.
Grease-interceptor sizing may be based on factors such as:
The smallest or least expensive unit is not always acceptable. Proper sizing is important for permit approval and long-term performance.
Yes, when an indoor grease-control device is allowed and suitable for the facility. The installation must provide adequate capacity, accessibility for maintenance, proper venting, and compliant plumbing connections.
Some facilities may be required to install a larger outdoor or underground interceptor instead.
Yes. We install underground grease interceptors, including the associated excavation, piping connections, access covers, backfill, inspections, and surface restoration included in the approved scope of work.
Site access, groundwater, existing utilities, traffic areas, and structural loading must be evaluated before installation.
Possibly. The existing interceptor must be appropriately sized, structurally sound, accessible, properly connected, and acceptable to the permitting authority.
An inspection and review of the existing system are recommended before assuming it can remain.
Yes. When required, we can include an approved grease-monitoring device or alarm as part of the grease-interceptor installation or compliance work. The specific equipment and alarm settings must be compatible with the interceptor and applicable agency requirements.
Construction time depends on the interceptor type, location, excavation requirements, plumbing modifications, inspections, and restoration work. The permitting and plan-review process may take longer than the physical installation.
We provide a project schedule after evaluating the site and identifying the required approvals.
It depends on the location of the interceptor and the extent of the plumbing work. Temporary interruption of kitchen or sanitary service is often necessary while the grease-waste piping is disconnected and reconnected.
Whenever practical, we can plan the work to reduce disruption to business operations.
Yes. 87 Construction & Engineering can coordinate the technical planning, permitting, and construction phases of the project. This integrated approach can reduce communication problems between the designer, contractor, property owner, and permitting agencies.
Please provide:
A site visit may be recommended before providing a final construction proposal.
We combine construction experience with technical engineering and permitting knowledge. Our team understands that a successful septic or grease-interceptor project requires more than excavation and plumbing—it also requires accurate plans, properly selected equipment, agency coordination, inspections, and documented closeout.
Contact 87 Construction & Engineering with your property address and a brief description of the work needed. If you received a correction notice, failed inspection, or Notice of Violation, include a copy so we can evaluate the requirements and recommend the next steps.
We serve clients throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County.
