A residential sewer camera inspection in Canada is commonly quoted at roughly $200 to $500 in 2026 for a single house with good access, including video and a basic report. Toilet-pull access, locating and depth marking, cleaning before the camera, after-hours visits and coded reports add to that. These are planning estimates; prices vary by city, access, depth and contractor.
- A straightforward house scope through an existing cleanout sits at the low end of the range.
- Access is the biggest variable: no cleanout, a toilet pull or a roof vent adds time and cost.
- Clean-and-scope packages cost more but often give a more complete picture of the pipe wall.
- Always confirm that the price includes the video file, distances and locates; a cheap scope without them is weak evidence.
- Multi-unit and commercial work is usually priced by the half-day, day or length, not per house.
01 /How much does a sewer camera inspection cost?
A sewer camera inspection costs a few hundred dollars for a typical house. The table shows typical quoted ranges for common service packages. They are planning estimates for 2026 in Canadian dollars, compiled as broad ranges rather than surveyed prices, and your quotes may land outside them.
| Service | Typical quoted range | What is usually included |
|---|---|---|
| Camera inspection through an existing cleanout | $200 to $400 | Push camera to the main, video, short summary |
| Camera inspection with locate, depth and written report | $250 to $500 | Above plus surface marks, depth estimates, observation list |
| Add-on: toilet pull for access | $75 to $175 | Remove and reset toilet with new wax ring |
| Scope added to a home inspection | $150 to $350 add-on | Varies widely in detail; confirm deliverables |
| Clean (auger) plus camera | $350 to $750 | Mechanical clearing and a camera pass |
| Hydro jet plus camera | $500 to $1,200 | Jetting and a camera pass; more for heavy roots or grease |
| After-hours or emergency visit | Premium, often a higher call-out rate | Priced by the contractor's after-hours schedule |
| Coded (PACP / LACP) report | Additional charge, varies | Standardized codes and grades |
Some owners consider renting a camera instead. A day's rental plus deposit and cleaning charges can come close to a professional scope, without the locate or the report; renting a sewer camera compares renting, buying and hiring.
02 /What makes a sewer inspection cost more?
A sewer inspection costs more when access is difficult, the line is long or complex, cleaning is needed first, or more deliverables are required. These factors are what a contractor weighs when quoting.
| Factor | Lower cost | Higher cost |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Accessible main cleanout | No cleanout; toilet pull, roof vent or excavation needed |
| Line condition | Flowing freely | Backed up or blocked; must be cleared first |
| Length and layout | Short lateral, few bends | Long run, rural lot, several branches |
| Deliverables | Video and verbal summary | Locates, depth, map, coded report |
| Timing | Scheduled weekday | Evenings, weekends, emergencies |
| Location | Within the contractor's normal service area | Travel charges for rural or remote sites |
| Building type | Single house | Multi-unit, commercial, larger pipes |
A price that is much lower than others is worth a question: does it include the full video, distances, and a surface locate? A scope without them is harder to use for repair quotes or negotiation. The report checklist lists what to expect.
03 /Is a clean-and-scope package worth the extra cost?
A clean-and-scope package is worth the extra cost when the line is blocked, slow, or heavily rooted, because a camera cannot see a pipe wall hidden behind roots or grease. For a pre-purchase baseline on a line that flows, a scope as found is often enough, since the buyer wants to see the condition they will inherit.
Some contractors do a pass, clean, then a second pass. That costs more but gives both answers. For cleaning methods and what they suit, see PipeCleaning.ca.
04 /What does adding a cleanout cost, and is it worth it?
Adding a cleanout costs anywhere from a few hundred dollars for an interior fitting on accessible pipe to a few thousand where an exterior cleanout needs excavation to the lateral's depth. It is often worth it when a house has no good access, because every future inspection and cleaning becomes cheaper and less invasive.
| Type | Typical quoted range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior cleanout on exposed building drain | $300 to $900 | Depends on pipe material and access |
| Exterior cleanout requiring excavation | $1,200 to $4,000+ | Depth, surface, frost and utilities drive cost |
| Cleanout added during another repair | Lower incremental cost | Pit is already open |
Any excavation needs utility locates first. See locating and depth. Before paying for a new cleanout, check that you do not already have one hidden behind finishes or under sod; sewer cleanouts and inspection points lists where they usually are.
05 /What do multi-unit and commercial inspections cost?
Multi-unit and commercial inspections are usually priced by the half-day or day, or by the metre or foot inspected, with cleaning, traffic control and coded reporting as separate items. A small duplex may be priced like a house with an extra run; an apartment condominium with parkade drains and several laterals is a proposal-style job.
| Structure | Typical quoted range | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Half-day push camera | $600 to $1,200 | Small buildings, a few runs |
| Full-day push or crawler camera | $1,200 to $2,800 | Larger buildings, several runs |
| Per-length pricing | Varies by pipe size and access | Long mains, municipal-style work |
| Coded reporting | Additional | Boards and managers tracking condition over time |
Condo-specific planning is covered in condo and multi-unit inspections.
06 /How do you compare sewer inspection quotes?
Compare sewer inspection quotes on deliverables first and price second. Two quotes at the same price can produce very different evidence. Ask each contractor the same questions and put the answers side by side.
- Is the full, unedited video file included, and in what format?
- Are distances shown on screen and in the report, with the zero point stated?
- Are significant defects located on the surface with depth estimates?
- Is a written observation list or map included?
- What happens, and what does it cost, if the camera cannot enter or cannot reach the main?
- Is cleaning included, optional, or quoted separately?
- Is a toilet pull needed, and is resetting the toilet included?
- Does the operator also quote repairs, and are the documents separate?
- Who pays if the camera gets stuck or a seized fitting cracks? See can a sewer scope cause problems.
Price is easier to judge once you know what a strong provider looks like; how to choose a sewer inspection company sets out red flags and better signs.
For comparing repair quotes that follow an inspection, SewerQuotes.com walks through line items. To get inspection quotes for your property, request a quote.
07 /Is a sewer inspection worth the cost?
A sewer inspection is usually worth the cost when the pipe is old, when trees are near the line, when there is backup history, before buying, and before renovation over the line. It is a small cost relative to excavated repairs, and the video has lasting value as a baseline and as evidence in a negotiation or a claim.
It is less clearly worth it on a recently built house with a PVC lateral, no trees and no symptoms, though sags and construction debris still turn up. Use the risk screen in should you scope before buying to decide, or the three-question test in is a sewer scope worth it. On a new home, the best value usually comes from scoping before warranty coverage for plumbing ends; see sewer scopes on new builds.
Pay for the evidence you can use, not just for a camera visit.
FAQQuestions people ask
How much is a sewer scope in Canada?
A typical residential scope with good access is commonly quoted around $200 to $500 in 2026 as a planning estimate. Access problems, cleaning, locating and reporting can raise it.
Is a sewer scope cheaper with a home inspection?
An add-on to a home inspection can be cheaper than a standalone visit, but the deliverables may be lighter. Confirm video, distances and locates are included.
Why do some companies offer free sewer camera inspections?
A free or very cheap scope is sometimes offered as part of a cleaning or repair sale. It can be fine, but get the video and consider an independent review before committing to large repairs.
Does a sewer inspection include cleaning?
Not usually. A standard scope inspects the line as found. Cleaning is a separate service or a package; ask what is included.
Who pays for a sewer inspection when selling a house?
Buyers usually pay for their own scope. Sellers sometimes order one before listing to identify issues or provide the video to buyers.
Does insurance pay for a sewer camera inspection?
Sometimes, when it is part of investigating an insured loss. Routine inspections are generally not covered. Check with your insurer.
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