Before signing a sewer repair or replacement contract, ask for the camera footage, the exact start and end of the work, the method and why, the pipe specification, who pulls permits, whether the city side is included, what restoration is included, how extra work is priced, what the warranty covers and when payments are due — and get every answer in writing.
- Every answer that matters should end up in the written quote or contract, not just the conversation.
- The questions about scope boundaries, restoration and change orders prevent most cost surprises.
- Good contractors answer these questions readily; evasive answers are useful information.
- Ask all contractors the same questions so their written answers are directly comparable.
01 /How to use these questions
Send these questions by email after you receive each quote, or bring them to the site visit and ask the contractor to add the answers to the written quote. The goal is a document that answers all fifteen, so you can compare contractors on paper. Pair this list with the line-by-line comparison worksheet.
The questions are grouped by the stage of the job they protect: diagnosis, scope, method, site and city, money, and after the work.
| Common problem after signing | Question that prevents it |
|---|---|
| Paying for a replacement the pipe did not need | 1, 2 and 3 — footage, defects fixed, smaller alternative |
| A surprise bill for work past the property line | 4 and 8 — start and end points, city side |
| A trench left as bare dirt | 9 — restoration standard |
| Extras billed at unknown rates | 11 — unit rates and written approval |
| No recourse when the new line fails | 14 and 15 — post-work video and warranty text |
| A permit problem at resale | 7 — who pulls the permit |
How the contractor answers is as informative as what they answer. Specific, written, unhesitating answers usually come from contractors who do this work properly every week. Answers like "we'll figure that out on the day" or "don't worry about the permit" tell you where the risk will land — on you.
02 /Questions about the diagnosis
- 1. Can I have the recorded camera video and the defect list?
A good answer: yes, a video file with a distance counter and a written list of defects, their distance from the access point and approximate depth. Without it you cannot get a second opinion. See camera inspection cost.
- 2. Which specific defects does this work fix, and which does it not?
A good answer names each defect by distance and says whether the proposed work addresses it. If a sag at 12 m is not addressed by a liner, the contractor should say so.
- 3. Is a smaller repair a reasonable alternative?
A good answer compares a spot repair or sectional liner against full replacement and explains the trade-off honestly. A contractor who says only full replacement will ever work, without reference to the footage, deserves a second opinion.
03 /Questions about scope
- 4. Exactly where does the work start and end?
A good answer names physical points: "from the basement cleanout at the front wall to the property line at the sidewalk", ideally on a sketch. Vague answers like "the sewer line" lead to disputes.
- 5. How many metres of pipe are included, at what depth?
The length and depth should be stated. They let you convert the price to a per-metre rate and check it against typical ranges.
- 6. What pipe or liner will you install, and what size?
Look for a material, diameter and rating: for example 100 mm PVC SDR 28 or 35, HDPE DR 17, or an epoxy liner of a stated thickness. "New pipe" is not a specification.
04 /Questions about the site and the city
- 7. Who pulls the permits, and are the fees included?
A good answer: the contractor pulls the plumbing permit and any right-of-way permit, and fees are in the price. "Permit by owner" shifts cost and responsibility to you. See permits and who pays.
- 8. Is any work on the city side included, and who pays for it?
Ask whether the quote covers anything past the property line — the service connection, a road or boulevard cut, traffic control. Then confirm the ownership boundary with your municipality.
- 9. What will the site look like when you leave?
Restoration should be specific: compacted backfill, topsoil and seed or sod, and whether concrete, asphalt or pavers are replaced to match. "Rough grade" means you pay someone else to finish.
- 10. How will you protect utilities and the trench?
The contractor should arrange utility locates before digging and explain how they will meet trench safety rules on deeper digs. You should not see workers in an unsupported deep trench.
05 /Questions about money
- 11. How are unforeseen conditions priced?
A good answer gives unit rates in writing for likely surprises — rock breaking per hour, extra metres per metre, extra pits per pit — and states that no extra work proceeds without your written approval.
- 12. What is the payment schedule?
Look for a modest deposit, progress payments tied to milestones, and a final payment after completion, restoration and the post-work video. A large payment before any work starts shifts risk to you. If financing is offered, ask who the lender is and what the rate is after any promotion — see paying for sewer repairs.
- 13. Does the price include tax and disposal?
The quote should state whether GST or HST is included and whether hauling excavated soil and old pipe is included.
| Possible extra | Typical unit basis | Illustrative range |
|---|---|---|
| Extra pipe length | Per metre | $500–$2,000/m depending on method and depth |
| Rock or concrete breaking | Per hour of equipment | $150–$400/hour |
| Extra access pit | Per pit | $1,500–$6,000 |
| Dewatering | Per day | $200–$800/day |
| Additional cleanout | Each | $600–$2,500 |
06 /Questions about after the work
- 14. Will I receive a post-work camera video?
A good answer: yes, recorded footage of the new or lined pipe from end to end, showing connections and the absence of sags, gaps or large wrinkles. Make it a condition of final payment.
- 15. What does the warranty cover, for how long, and who backs it?
Get the warranty text. It should state the period, what is covered (materials, workmanship, connections, settlement of backfill), what is excluded (for example future root intrusion at unlined joints) and whether a manufacturer backs any part of it.
Once you have answers from each contractor, remove any quote whose answers are vague or missing, enter the rest in the quote comparison worksheet to see what each still lacks, and check the totals with the sewer cost estimator. If answers raise concerns, the red flags guide explains which patterns to walk away from. Ready to collect comparable quotes? Request quotes with your scope written out.
FAQQuestions people ask
What should I ask a plumber before sewer line replacement?
Ask for the camera footage, the start and end points of the work, the method and pipe specification, who pulls permits, whether the city side is included, what restoration is included, how extras are priced, the payment schedule, the post-work video and the warranty terms.
Should I get the answers in writing?
Yes. Verbal assurances are hard to enforce. Ask the contractor to add answers to the quote or confirm them by email before you sign.
How do I check a sewer contractor's insurance?
Ask for a certificate of liability insurance naming the policy period, and check workers' compensation account status with your provincial board. Many provinces offer an online clearance check.
Is it rude to ask a contractor so many questions?
No. Clear questions help both sides avoid disputes. Experienced contractors handle them routinely and often have standard answers in their contract.
What if the contractor will not give me the camera video?
Treat the diagnosis as unverified. Ask why; if the answer is unsatisfactory, get an independent inspection before committing to major work.
Do I need a written contract for sewer work?
For any significant repair or replacement, yes. Many provinces have consumer protection rules for home improvement contracts. The contract should include scope, price, schedule, change-order process, payment terms and warranty.
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