A standalone residential sewer camera inspection in Canada typically quotes between about $250 and $600 CAD in 2026. Added to a cleaning visit it often costs $150 to $350 more. The fee should buy a recorded video, footage distances, a written summary of defects and a surface locate of anything that needs repair.
- Ask what the fee buys: a recorded video file, distance markings, a written defect list and a surface locate are the four things that make an inspection useful.
- A live-only inspection with no recording leaves you with nothing to show a second contractor.
- Inspections are cheap relative to the repair decisions they drive — skipping one to save money on a $20,000 decision is poor economics.
- An inspection by someone who does not also sell the repair removes a conflict of interest.
01 /How much does a sewer camera inspection cost?
Most standalone residential sewer scopes in Canada quote between $250 and $600 CAD in 2026. The price depends mainly on access to the line, whether cleaning is needed first, the length of line inspected, and what you receive at the end.
| Service | Typical range | What is usually included |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone scope via exterior or basement cleanout | $250–$450 | Push camera, live view, recorded video, short summary |
| Pre-purchase (real estate) inspection with report | $300–$600 | Recorded video, written report, defect distances, photos |
| Camera added to a cleaning visit | $150–$350 extra | Scope after the line is cleared |
| Access through toilet pull or roof vent | $100–$300 extra | Remove and reset a toilet, or rooftop access |
| Surface locate with sonde | $0–$200 | Marking the location and depth of a defect on the ground |
| Crawler camera for larger or longer lines | $500–$1,200+ | Commercial or multi-unit lines, long runs |
02 /What should a sewer camera inspection include for the price?
A useful inspection gives you evidence you can hand to another contractor, an insurer or a buyer. Before booking, ask for these deliverables in writing.
- A recorded video file of the full run you paid for, from the access point to the city main or the furthest point reached, with a footage or metre counter visible on screen.
- A written summary listing each defect, its distance from the access point and its severity, ideally using a recognised coding approach such as NASSCO PACP.
- A surface locate — paint or flags marking where a defect sits above ground, and its approximate depth, when a repair is likely.
- Pipe material and diameter as observed, including transitions (for example cast iron inside the house changing to clay outside).
- Where the camera stopped and why — an obstruction, a collapse, a belly full of water, or the municipal main.
For more on what the footage shows and how defect codes are graded, SewerInspector.ca explains reports frame by frame.
03 /What makes a camera inspection cost more?
Access and line condition are the two biggest price factors. If there is a clean exterior cleanout and the line is flowing, the inspection is quick. If the camera has to go in through a toilet flange and the line is full of roots, it becomes a cleaning job first.
| Condition | Effect on price | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Accessible exterior cleanout | Lowest | Camera goes straight in; no fixtures disturbed |
| Basement cleanout behind finishes | Moderate | Time to reach it, protect finishes |
| No cleanout — toilet pull needed | Adds $100–$300 | Remove and reset toilet, new wax ring |
| Standing water or blockage | May require cleaning first | Camera cannot see through water or debris |
| Long run or multiple branches | Adds time | More cable, more defects to document |
| Written report with coded defects | Higher than video-only | Office time to review and write up |
| After-hours visit | Premium | See emergency pricing |
If a line is blocked, the camera cannot record much. Most contractors will quote cleaning first, then the scope. The combined price is still usually lower than booking two separate visits — see drain and sewer cleaning cost.
04 /Is a free sewer camera inspection really free?
A free inspection is usually a sales visit. That does not make it dishonest, but it changes the incentives: the person operating the camera is often also the person who will price the repair. That is the situation where overdiagnosis is most likely.
Protect yourself with three rules:
- Ask for the recorded video file before any repair is discussed, whether the inspection is free or paid.
- If replacement is recommended, have the footage reviewed by a second contractor or an independent inspector before signing.
- Be cautious of a scope that finds a serious problem but produces no recording, no distances and no written summary.
Paying for an independent inspection is often money well spent before a large repair. The red flags guide covers the upsell patterns that show up after free inspections.
05 /When is a sewer camera inspection worth paying for?
A camera inspection pays for itself when a decision worth thousands of dollars depends on what is inside the pipe. It is poor value when you already know the answer or nothing will change based on the result.
| Situation | Worth it? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Buying a house built before about 1980 | Usually yes | Clay, cast iron or Orangeburg laterals and mature trees are common in older stock |
| Recurring backups after cleaning | Yes | Finds roots, offsets or sags that cleaning cannot fix |
| Before a basement renovation | Yes | Cheaper to fix under an unfinished floor |
| Replacement quote received | Yes — second opinion | Confirms the defect justifies the scope |
| After a repair or lining | Yes | Proof of workmanship before final payment |
| Single clog, first time, clears easily | Optional | May be a one-off, but footage creates a baseline |
If you are buying a home, ask your real estate professional how to time the scope within your condition period. If it finds a problem, who pays for sewer repair compares price reductions, seller repairs and holdbacks. When you have footage in hand, request quotes from contractors using that video so every quote prices the same defects.
06 /How do I compare camera inspection quotes?
Compare camera inspection quotes on deliverables, not price alone. A $275 scope with no recording is worth less than a $425 scope with a video file, distances, a written defect list and a surface locate, because only the second can be used to get repair quotes.
| Deliverable | Ask for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Recording | Video file of the full run, emailed or shared | Needed for second opinions and quotes |
| Distance counter | Visible on screen throughout | Locates every defect |
| Written summary | Defect list with distance and severity | Turns footage into a scope |
| Locate | Paint or flags above key defects, with depth | Lets contractors price the dig |
| Stop point | Where and why the camera stopped | Tells you what was not inspected |
| Independence | Whether the inspector also sells repairs | Identifies any conflict of interest |
Once you have the footage, use it for every quote you request so the comparison is fair — see how to compare sewer quotes.
07 /Safety notes for homeowners during an inspection
Opening a cleanout on a line that is backed up can release sewage under pressure and sewer gas, including hydrogen sulphide. Let the contractor open the cleanout, keep children and pets away, and ventilate the basement.
FAQQuestions people ask
How much is a sewer scope for a house purchase in Canada?
As a 2026 planning estimate, pre-purchase sewer scopes with a written report typically quote between about $300 and $600 CAD. Video-only scopes through an easy cleanout are often lower.
How long does a sewer camera inspection take?
A typical residential inspection takes 45 minutes to 2 hours on site, depending on access, the length of the run and whether the line needs clearing first. A written report may follow within a day or two.
Do I get to keep the sewer camera video?
You should. Ask for the recorded video file as a condition of the booking. Without the recording you cannot get a second opinion or show the footage to other contractors.
Can a camera inspection see the city side of the line?
Often the camera can reach the connection at the main, but that depends on the cable length, bends and any obstruction. The report should state where the camera stopped.
Does a camera inspection include cleaning the line?
Not usually. If the line is blocked or full of debris, cleaning is quoted separately, often at a combined price when done on the same visit.
Why do some companies offer free camera inspections?
Free inspections are usually tied to a sales process for repairs. Insist on the recorded video and get a second opinion before committing to major work recommended from a free scope.
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