Austin’s Pumping Service offers a full range of septic solutions including installations, inspections, and servicing for commercial and residential properties throughout southwest Missouri. “We learned early on that a lot of people don’t know what a septic system truly does or how to maintain and service it,” says founder and owner Douglas Wade. “We try to educate individuals on the maintenance that is needed. For example, we change the oil in our cars all the time, but when it comes to a septic system, it’s out of sight out of mind, so people don’t think of it until it’s a problem. We encourage regular, routine maintenance to avoid those problems.”

Prior to opening Austin’s Pumping Service, Douglas was part owner in a company that serviced bank ATMs, scanners, and printing equipment. In 2008, during the banking collapse, he decided to make a change. “My uncle told me to find something no one else wanted to do and be very good at it.” While there were other companies in the same industry, they each specialized in certain aspects of septic services. “We decided to be a full service company, which includes pumping and hauling grease and septic waste, repairing, installing, and inspecting. As far as I’m aware, we’re still the only company that is full service,” says Douglas.

In those early days, Douglas needed a good name for the business. The Yellow Pages were still an important marketing tool, so Douglas wanted a name that started with an A. “We were all discussing names one day at the dinner table. There were a bunch of names in the hat, but my son came in and said, ‘I don’t know what you guys are doing, but my name is Austin and it starts with an A,’ so that’s how we became Austin’s Pumping Service,” Douglas shares.

Septic tanks aren’t only found in rural areas. According to Douglas, “Larger and mid-volume cities have city sewer facilities, but 40% of people are still on septic and sewage on-site systems. Some people don’t realize they’re on a septic system because they’re in the city, but their property had originally been outside of city limits. Lagoon systems, which are still used quite a bit in the rural areas, are also considered its own septic system.”

Douglas and his team also work closely with commercial properties such as restaurants, schools, churches, and property management companies. “We service grease interceptors for many types of commercial properties,” says Douglas. “That’s more challenging than regular septic work because of all the different types of food waste that there is, so it’s important to choose a company that is familiar with that type of work.” 

Austin’s Pumping Service works with real estate agents on a daily basis because whenever a property is sold with septic system, it has to be inspected and/or brought up to code before making the transfer. According to Douglas, “About 50% of our business is through real estate agents. We work with them on anything from answering a simple question to performing an inspection or replacing entire systems.”

“We enjoy a good relationship with our clients because of the level of education that we offer about systems. Through an inspection, buyers want to know exactly what they’re buying - if it’s working or not working and how much money they need to fix it, or if it’s even worth it because the system is failing,” shares Douglas. “It can be so expensive these days that it’s part of the purchase decision – if there’s a failing system, it could change the whole game.”

When it comes to their clients, Douglas wants them to know how much they are valued and respected. “I would like our clients to know that we're not just out there to collect a check for our services. We want to build relationships so they use us time and time again and refer us to family and friends. Relationships are worth so much more than making money at the time of service. Anybody can charge for a service and companies come and go, but if you develop relationships, you’re always going to be around.”

For more information, visit austinspumpingservice.com