Access and visibility determine the effort
An accessible exterior cleanout can simplify the inspection. Removing a toilet, opening a buried cleanout, clearing a blockage, or making multiple entry attempts adds time. Standing water or a complete obstruction may prevent the camera from viewing the full line.
- Available cleanout and pipe diameter
- Cleaning required before inspection
- Distance to the main or septic connection
- Locator marks and depth estimates
Know what the inspection delivers
Ask whether the price includes a video file, still images, defect locations, estimated depths, a written summary, and a post-cleaning second pass. A low inspection price is less useful if the recording or location information needed for a repair quote is not included.