What do plumbing repairs cost?
The cost of an inspection doesn't cover any repairs. You'll pay extra for a professional plumber to repair any plumbing problems you find. The amount depends on the type of repair.
What impacts the cost of a plumbing inspection?
The total cost of a plumbing inspection will depend on the type of inspection, whether or not you inspect the sewer line, and whether or not it's part of a larger home inspection. Type of inspection
A home plumbing inspection will either be visual, done with a camera, or a combination of both.
Visual inspection
A visual inspection is the most affordable way to inspect your home's plumbing. For example, a Thumbtack pro in Phoenix, Arizona, charges $229 for visual inspection of plumbing.
With a visual inspection, a plumbing inspector looks at all the visible plumbing components in your house. The pro checks all sinks, toilets, tubs, and showers, and the connections to the fixtures. He or she checks for water leaks, confirms everything is draining properly, and that all appliances and fixtures are installed correctly. He or she also measures water pressure to make sure it's within the normal range, and inspects the hot water heater to make sure it's operating properly. After inspecting your plumbing system, the inspector will make a report on anything you need to repair.
Camera inspection
A camera inspection lets the plumbing inspector look inside underground pipes to check for clogs or damage with a hi-res video camera mounted on a flexible rod. The camera sends images back to the plumber in real-time while also recording them for later.
Any sewer-related checks will require a camera inspection. For a sewer camera inspection, a camera can be put down the drain in a sink to check the pipes in the house, or an outdoor pipe to check the sewer main in the yard. Sewer cameras can go hundreds of feet into the pipe, so they can be used to scope the main line. The camera will send a signal when it finds the clog, telling the inspector the exact location.
The cost can vary based on the length of the pipes and extent of damage. For example, a Thumbtack pro in Alvin, Texas, charges $300 for a sewer camera inspection.
Combo
You can also get a thorough check of your plumbing that combines visual and camera inspections. The same Thumbtack pro in Alvin, Texas, can do both for a package price of $500.
Whole-house inspection
A standard home inspection typically includes an examination of your plumbing and water heater, but not necessarily your sewer or sewer lines. A sewer camera inspection will be an add-on to your whole house inspection. It is also often an additional cost for a plumbing inspection.
For home buyers, a whole house and sewer camera inspection is a good idea to make sure no potential problems are left uncovered.