How do I check the road access and septic capacity at a farm wedding venue?
Drive the access road in poor weather if you can, and look at width, surface, signage, parking and where emergency vehicles would go. For septic, ask for the system’s records, inspection reports and pumping history, and have a qualified inspector judge whether it suits your largest events.
Road access is a daily risk. Travel the route as a guest, a caterer and a delivery truck would. Is the surface sound after rain, is there room for two vehicles to pass, and where do buses or large vans turn? Look at the parking area, the lighting and the walk from car to ceremony. Ask the seller about washouts, snow and any neighbour arrangements for use of the road.
Septic is quieter but just as serious. Ask for the system’s design papers, inspection reports, repair and pumping records, and the permit history. Ask whether the system was sized for the largest events the venue runs, and whether temporary toilets are ever hired. Hire a qualified inspector rather than judging by eye.
Finally, ask your lawyer about easements, shared roads and anything that limits how the property can be used, and ask the local authority what applies to events of your size. Ask what the seller does for emergencies on busy days, such as who has keys and where help would come in.
Key takeaways
- Travel the access route as a guest, a caterer and a delivery truck.
- Request septic design, inspection and pumping records, and ask when the tank was last pumped.
- Hire a qualified inspector to judge capacity for the largest event.
- Ask whether the road is shared and what agreements exist.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
- 03Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)GovernmentUnderstanding your business lease
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