How Much Does Sewer Line Camera Inspection Cost, And When Should You Have One? (2023)

For basic sewer camera inspection, you can expect to pay about $280, with an average price range of $125 to $500. Lowest inspection costs are close to $70, while the maximum price point is closer to $900. These price points take into account different rates, cost of living and the scope of services provided by your inspector.

There’s a lot going on behind the scenes in your home, and most of that is your plumbing system. This complicated system includes your sewer pipes and your fresh water pipes. The plumbing system carries fresh water to many points in your home, and removes sewage as well. It’s crucial that the pipes that make up this system remain clean, functional and free of debris.

That’s where a sewer camera inspection comes in handy. Here, a plumber will use a small camera to get a closer look at plumbing in your home to spot issues like leaks, cracks or other issues.

If you notice skyrocketing water bills, slow draining sinks or low water pressure, it’s time to call a pro to inspect your plumbing.

There are a few different times when a camera inspection of your sewer lines might be prudent. Let’s take a look at a few below:

You’re About to Close on a New Home

You were lucky enough to get a contract on a home in today’s hot real estate market. But that doesn’t mean everything is perfect below the surface. Be sure to include a sewer scope inspection as part of the home inspection that’s required. Otherwise, you could be in for a costly surprise if that pristine home has a damaged sewer line.

You’ve Noticed Consistently Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure in your home can be a sign of a water line problem, but it can also signify an issue with your sewer line. If you’ve noticed unsatisfying showers or laundry that doesn’t seem clean when you take it out of the washing machine, you could have a leaky sewer pipe.

You’ve Noticed Slow or Backed up Drains in Your Home

Similarly, slow or backup up drains can indicate a blockage within your home’s sewer line. A sewer camera inspection can help identify the source of the issue.

It’s Been Awhile Since Your Last Inspection

Some professionals recommend a yearly camera inspection of your sewer system to ensure it stays in top condition. If this feels excessive, or if you have a brand-new home with a new sewer system, try booking a sewer line inspection once every three years. Regular inspection of your sewer lines can help fend off expensive repairs.

Plumbing camera inspection costs can vary based on several different factors. Below, we’ll take a look at just a few.

1. Part of a Home Purchase

In some cases, you can request a sewer camera inspection as part of the home inspection that takes place before you purchase a new home. Some professionals will tack on this service for a nominal additional fee instead of charging the entire price (since they are already performing a different service at the home).

2. Length of Sewer Lines

The further the inspector’s camera has to travel, the higher the price you’ll pay, since you’ll be paying for more of the inspector’s time. Don’t feel bad if you don’t know how long your sewer lines are: most people don’t. Just be prepared to pay a bit more or even a bit less than the price stated on your estimate.

3. Whether Your Home has a “Cleanout”

A cleanout is a pipe located somewhere in your yard that allows a plumber easy access to your sewer line. If you don’t have one of these, the plumber will have to remove a toilet in your home, snake the camera down into your sewer line, then replace the toilet afterward. The additional work associated with this process will drive up the price of your sewer scope inspection.

While it’s certainly possible to perform a sewer camera inspection on your own, the amount and price of the equipment you’d need in order to do it often makes this an unpopular choice. Some estimates indicate that the cost of the camera alone can be as much as $1,000 to $15,000. And you’ll need other equipment as well, including a video monitor, a locator and a memory card.

Attempting to pay less for budget equipment will likely yield poor results, especially since your sewer lines exist in complete darkness. An option to consider if you truly want to attempt to save money and do this job yourself is to rent a sewer inspection camera. For this you’ll pay, on average, $200 per day.