The cost of a plumbing inspection varies by type, including visual (the least expensive), camera, and combination inspections (the most expensive).
Large homes have more plumbing to inspect, increasing the inspection price.
You’ll pay more for a plumbing inspection if you need it on a short timeline or if it’s an emergency.
Plumbing costs vary by location, with homeowners paying more in urban and high-cost-of-living areas.
Is your plumbing acting up, or are you about to buy a house? Or maybe you’re setting up a preventative maintenance schedule to keep your home in tip-top shape. Whatever the reason, it helps to get an idea of plumbing inspection costs before you call a plumber. Plumbing inspection prices range from a low of $100 to a high of $500, with an average cost of $300. Find out what type of inspection you may need, possible repair costs, and more.
Plumbing Inspection Cost Factors
When figuring out how much a plumbing inspection will cost, a few factors to consider include the type of inspection, your home size, and your location.
I had an extremely positive experience with Fresno Plumbing. Six and one half years after I purchased my brand new home I had a sewer backup problem. I called the builder to see if there was any warrantly coverage and they referred me to the original plumber for my home, Fresno Plumbing and Heating. Fresno Plumbing and Heating said very rarely there are pipe connection problems and they would investigate. They videoed my sewer line, discovered a flaw in the pipe connection, used their sophisticated diagnostic equipment to determine the exact location of the problem, got all the necessary permits, identified all the nearby utility lines, and took responsibility for fixing the pipe at no charge to me. They could have said I was out of the warranty period, but they felt the problem could have dated to the original construction. They took my problem seriously and investigated. If I had to pay for this myself it would have cost thousands. I am very grateful for their honesty, for the repairs they made, and for the way they treated me in this situation. They were a strong advocate for me in dealing with the various player to get the repairs made at no charge to me.
Plumbers typically offer three main types of plumbing inspections: visual, camera, and combination.
Visual Inspection
The most basic type of plumbing inspection is a visual inspection, which costs $100 to $200. A plumber will visually check all of the plumbing, fixtures, and appliances, both inside and outside. This includes your sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and hot water heater.
The plumber will check that appliances are correctly installed and that everything drains properly. They’ll also look for leaks, corrosion, and other red flags.
Camera Inspection
A camera inspection is necessary to check your underground sewer lines. These pipe inspections cost $250 to $1,175 and allow the plumber to easily spot clogs, leaks, and signs of damage.
The sewer line camera inspection is a great alternative to doing things the old-school way, which involves digging up your lawn or tearing up the flooring to get to the piping.
Combination Inspection
If you want the most thorough plumbing inspection, you should opt for a combination inspection. This way, you can get both a visual and a camera inspection done for peace of mind. Combination inspections range between $350 to $1,375.
Inspection Type
Cost
What’s Included
Visual
$100–$200
Visual check of plumbing
Camera
$250–$1,175
Camera inspection of sewer line
Combination
$350–$1,375+
Both visual and camera inspection
Plumbing Repair 101
Size of Your Home
The larger your home, the more plumbing you have. Your inspection costs are likely to be on the lower end of around $100 if you have a smaller house and only want a visual inspection. On the other hand, if you have a large home, your combination inspection costs can reach $1,375 or more.
Urgency
If you need an urgent inspection because you've noticed leaking, gurgling sounds, or other telltale signs of a plumbing emergency, you may need to pay emergency rates when placing a call to a plumber during night, weekend, or holiday hours. Most plumbers charge emergency trip fees totaling between $150 and $300. However, you shouldn't let fear of a slightly larger bill stop you from placing a call. Letting a plumbing emergency go untreated could result in extensive water damage or mold issues that will cost much more in the long run.
Location
Like most services, plumbing inspection costs are generally higher in cities or high-cost-of-living (HCOL) areas. For example, the average cost for a plumbing inspection in New York, New York is $530. Meanwhile, the same inspection comes with an average cost of $350 in Billings, Montana. Plumbers need to charge more in these areas because they build the higher cost of doing business into their rates. The best way to get a realistic idea of what good plumbing rates look like in your area is to get a quote from at least three different plumbing companies.
What’s Included in a Plumbing Inspection?
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When you call in a plumber for a home plumbing inspection, you can expect them to check out the following things both inside and outside:
Toilet
Sinks
Bathtubs/Showers
Fixtures
Pipes
Fittings
Insulation
Caulking
Supply lines
Drains
Vents
Appliances that use water (dishwasher, washer)
Hot water heater
Proper cleanouts of your drains
Main shut-off valve
Sump pumps
Outdoor hose bibs
Fire hydrants nearby
The plumber will ensure that everything is installed properly and that there are no leaks, damage, or corrosion. Some plumbers may also include water pressure and water quality checks.
If you opt for a camera inspection, then the plumber will check your sewer line for potential clogs, damage, or rust.
A plumbing inspection should take about two hours, although it may take less or more time depending on the size of your home and whether the plumber notices issues along the way.
When to Do a Plumbing Inspection
It’s recommended that you get a plumbing inspection once every two years. If your house is 40 years or older, you should get it done annually.
Another wise time to get a plumbing inspection is if you notice anything seems “off” with your plumbing. You should call for an inspection if you notice ongoing problems like water temperature fluctuations, strange sounds coming from your pipes, or odd odors in your drains.
Additionally, if you’re buying a house, it’s a great idea to order an in-depth plumbing home inspection. Most home inspections only check plumbing fixtures, drains, faucets, and toilets.
So while it may be tempting to pay just $280 to $400 for home inspection costs, this can leave you in the dark. If there are any issues lurking in the main sewer line or elsewhere, you may not catch them without a combination plumbing inspection.
Common Plumbing Repair Costs
In case your plumber finds issues during the inspection, here are the costs of common repairs you may run into. While you may be able to troubleshoot basic issues like a clogged drain or a leaky pipe, it’s usually best to leave most of these fixes to a pro.
Repairs can range anywhere from a minor plumbing leak repair cost of $150, all the way up to $3,000 for a sewer line replacement.
The final repair costs can also vary depending on your plumber’s hourly rate, which ranges between $45 and $200.
Plumbing Repair Type
Average Cost
Clogged Drain
$200
Leaking Pipe
$250
Toilet Repair
$220
Drain Pipe Replacement
$700
Water Heater Repair
$550
New Water Heater
$1,275
Sewer Line Cleaning
$300
Main Sewer Line Repair
$2,500
Sewer Line Replacement
$3,000
Septic Tank Repair
$1,780
Sump Pump Repair
$500
Why You Should Hire a Plumber
Plumbing inspections go beyond a quick look—a local plumber will test water pressure, inspect pipe conditions, evaluate drainage, look for hidden leaks, and identify potential problems before they develop into emergencies. Licensed plumbers also know how to perform maintenance that will extend the lifespan of your plumbing system. Plus, if you’re a prospective homebuyer, an inspection will tell you the state of the home's plumbing system before signing on the dotted line.
Here’s why it’s ideal to hire a plumber
Here’s why you need a licensed expert to perform detailed plumbing inspections:
Plumbers have cameras, gauges, moisture meters, and other tools to detect problems behind walls and underground.
They have the experience to recognize early signs of issues, such as pipe corrosion, sewer line wear, failing water heaters, and drainage problems.
Pros can test drainage performance to identify slow buildup before clogs form and backups happen.
They understand code requirements for venting, supply lines, safety shut-offs, and drainpipe sizes.
Most offer maintenance plans to keep your home’s plumbing running smoothly and warranties on their work and materials.
Documented plumbing inspections can support appraisals and buyer confidence, helping homes sell faster.
How to Save Money on a Plumbing Inspection
To save money on your plumbing inspection, you should find out if your plumber offers maintenance packages. You may be able to bundle your annual cleaning, maintenance, and inspection to get a better deal.
Questions to Ask a Plumber Before the Plumbing Inspection
When hiring a new plumber for an inspection, it's important to take time to find the right fit. The cost of plumbing inspection isn't the only factor that varies among plumbing companies. Quality and service can also be all over the charts. Ask these questions when vetting plumbers:
Are you licensed and insured?
What are the credentials of the plumber who will be conducting the inspection?
Are you able to provide some repairs or updates during the inspection if you uncover issues?
How many inspections does your company do a year?
Do you offer plumbing service contracts that include free inspections and discounts on some plumbing services or repairs? How quickly can I book an inspection if I sign up for one?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Both plumbing inspection cost and length can vary widely based on the specifics of a property. For a larger home, historic home, or rental complex, a full plumbing inspection can take a full day. Put aside at least eight hours from the start of the visit to ensure that you'll be available to answer any of the plumber's questions. However, a thorough inspection of the average one-story to two-story home lasts just two to three hours.
Pipes should be inspected regularly so you can catch any red flags early on. Common issues that you might run into with your pipes include clogs, damage like cracks and leaks, corrosion, or other signs of wear. When you stay on top of an inspection schedule, you'll avoid costly problems like burst pipes.
The average life of your plumbing depends on what material your plumbing is made of. CPVC piping lasts 50 to 70 years, brass, iron, or steel last 50 to 70 years, and copper lasts 50 to 100 years. The longest-lasting piping is PEX, which can hold up for 80 to 100 years.
Regardless of the pipe type, proper maintenance is the best way to ensure a long life span.
The biggest sign that you should repipe your house is if your pipes are past the average life span. Also, if your pipes are made of lead, polybutylene, or galvanized steel, it's best to repipe your home to avoid dangerous chemicals from leaching into your water supply.
You may also want to repipe your house if your plumbing is constantly having problems with leaks, corrosion, and low water quality. The cost to repipe a house is $1,500 to $15,000.
Scott Dylan Westerlund has been writing about homes and real estate for almost ten years. In addition to Angi and HomeAdvisor, he's written for Today's Homeowner, Homedit.com, Flyhomes, and HomeLight.
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