If this story sounds familiar, it's because I asked about it a while back. I have an intake appointment tomorrow before scheduling a consultation, and I just want to make sure I know as much about what I'm doing as I can.

I bought a house in March 2024. I knew when I bought it that the septic field needed replaced, and asked that the previous owner pay for this to be done. They agreed and wrote a check that is being held in escrow until the job is done. The job still hasn't been started, and the contractor has 1000 different excuses as to why.

Here's everything I knew when I closed on the house:

-Someone tried to buy the house before me, and that's when the septic issue came to light. That buyer backed out at that time.

-My sales disclosure says both the holding tank and the septic field have no issues, but they do, and I was made (partly) aware of that before even making an offer.

-I signed a Hold Harmless agreement pertaining to the septic and well.

-I was just told that the septic fingers were not doing their job and needed replaced.

-The invoice from the contractor didn't explain the scope of work. It just said "3 bedroom septic - $32,010."

Here's what I've learned since November 2024:

-If just the septic field was fixed, my septic system would drain to a nearby creek. This is illegal.

-The contractor got permission from a farmer to direct my drainage to a private drain on his land. This will also require digging through my neighbor's property, and he has not asked my neighbors for their permission yet.

-That farmer doesn't want anyone except this contractor digging on his land, and if I try to hire a different contractor the farmer will decline to let them do the job on his property.

-If my neighbors do not give their permission, the health department will give me 15 days before they decide either the septic has to be pump & dumped or the house has to be condemned.

-The contractor was consulted before I ever made an offer on the house. Either the contractor knew & didn't tell the previous owner or the previous owner knew and didn't disclose how bad the septic issue was.

If this house is condemned, I've paid less than $5000 toward the principal on it. I certainly can't afford to take that big of a loss on the remaining cost. I'll have to foreclose, for sure, at that point.

What documentation should I be prepared to bring when I have my consultation, and what the hell am I even trying to do? Am I trying to sue for the money I lose on the sale of the house? This is all so far over my head, but it's got me scared out of my mind worrying that my home could he condemned in the next couple of months.

Edit to add that I am in Indiana, United States