Sewer camera inspection cost

A sewer camera inspection costs $125 to $500. A plumber feeds a waterproof camera through your main line to find roots, cracks, sags and blockages, so you pay for the right repair instead of guessing.

Inspection cost and related services

When to get a sewer camera inspection

• Before buying a home, especially one more than 30 years old or with large trees
• After repeated main line clogs
• Before approving a costly sewer repair or replacement quote
• After a sewer backup
• Before relining or hydro jetting an old pipe

What the camera can find

• Tree root intrusion
• Cracks, breaks and offset joints
• Sags (bellies) that hold water
• Grease and scale buildup
• Collapsed or crushed sections
• The pipe material and the line's depth and location

What plumbers charge for this job

Most of the price of a plumbing job is labor. Licensed plumbers in the U.S. typically charge $45 to $150 per hour, and many add a $50 to $200 service call fee that often covers the first hour. Expect evening, weekend and holiday visits to cost noticeably more; emergency hourly rates commonly run $150 to $350. Master plumbers and plumbers in high-cost metro areas sit at the top of these ranges.

Before work starts, ask whether the quote is a flat price for the whole job or an hourly estimate, and whether parts, permits and haul-away are included. See Plumber rates per hour and Emergency plumber cost for the full breakdown.

How to get the most from an inspection

• Ask for the video recording and a written summary.
• Ask the plumber to mark the line's location and depth.
• Get a second opinion before a major replacement.
• Some plumbers discount the inspection if you hire them for the repair.

Prices are national estimates for 2026 based on published cost surveys and labor data. Your local price can be higher or lower. FairFix Costs is not a plumbing contractor; read our disclaimer.