Sewer Line Inspection
Sewer Scope Inspection ServicesCamera Sewer Line Inspection
$250 with inspection · Report by noon next business day
Sewer Scope
What Is a Sewer Line Inspection?
A sewer line inspection, commonly referred to as a sewer scope, is a camera-led inspection of the lateral sewer line of a home. Most homeowners and potential homebuyers do not realize that the sewer line connecting the home to the city main or septic system is their responsibility. Don't be on the hook for potentially thousands of dollars in repairs before sealing the deal on closing day. Read: What a Sewer Scope Finds
$20,000
repair covered before closing
The sewer scope that saved a new-build buyer $20,000
A client referred to us added a sewer scope to their brand-new build. Our camera found the sewer lateral had been broken during construction, under the street. The builder dug up the street and replaced the line before closing: a $20,000 repair, at no cost to our client.
What Is a Lateral Sewer Line vs Main Line?
The lateral sewer line is the pipe that carries wastewater from the home to the main sewer line or septic system. The lateral line will end where the city main or septic system starts. The homeowner is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the lateral sewer line. This is the line that we inspect.
The main sewer line is the pipe that carries wastewater from the lateral sewer line to the city. The city is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the main sewer line. This is the line that we do NOT inspect.
What's Included in the Sewer Scope Inspection?
When we perform a sewer scope inspection, you receive the following as a homebuyer:
- Clear, high-quality video recording of the entire scope.
- Well-organized, concise written report of the findings.
- Professional referrals to our trusted plumbing partners.
Our electronic sewer scope report delivery is by noon the next business day.
Do You Offer Septic Tank Inspections?
We do not offer septic tank inspections at this time. Septic tank inspections are a special skill and outside of our wheelhouse. Let us know if you need one and we can set you up with some amazing referrals through our trusted vendor partners.
How Much Does a Sewer Line Inspection Cost?
$250 with a home inspection (bundle and save!) or $300 as a stand-alone service.
| Service | Below 2,500 sq ft | 2,501–3,999 | 4,000–4,999 | 5,000+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sewer Line Inspection | $250 with a home inspection · $300 stand-alone | |||
- Additional fee for travel beyond 60 miles.
- Additional fee for travel beyond 60 miles.
Where Do You Perform Inspections?
Great question! We perform sewer line inspections in Des Moines and surrounding areas, such as Ankeny, Bondurant, Windsor Heights, Johnston, Urbandale, Adel, Clive, West Des Moines, Waukee, Norwalk, Carlisle, Pleasant Hill, Granger, Elkhart, Cumming, Woodward, Alleman, Perry, and more.
We are willing to travel, so give us a call and ask about our service area before scheduling. See all of our service areas.
Don’t just take our word for it.
What Our Homebuyers Say
5.0from ~250 Google reviews
Blake did a great job looking over a new construction home. He pointed out where workmanship was lacking, and spent time with me answering my questions. He well documented what he found with pictures and written word. There were general explanations of the house systems too. Very pleasant to spend time with but also efficient in covering the many inspection points of the house. I’d definitely request his service again.
Excellent service! Forever Home Inspection Iowa did an amazing job providing us with a very thorough and detailed inspection report. Highly recommend. Thank you!
Fantastic Team! Extremely knowledgeable and quick feedback and reports on the Home Inspection. Matt Gibson did a phenomenal job!
Forever Homes Inspection did an outstanding job with our new build inspections. They were thorough, knowledgeable, and incredibly easy to work with from start to finish. Their communication was clear, timely, and always helpful, which made the entire process smooth and stress free. I truly appreciated their attention to detail and the way they explained everything in a way that was easy to understand. Highly recommend them to anyone needing a reliable and professional inspection team!
We had an inspection on our new build, and Matt was our inspector — he was awesome! Friendly, professional, and incredibly thorough. As first-time new build owners, we weren’t sure what to expect, but Matt went above and beyond, examining every part of the house in great detail. We were especially impressed by the number of photos he provided, documenting both any issues and the overall condition of the home. We highly recommend Forever Home Inspection Iowa to anyone looking for peace of mind with their home investment!
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Radon, Sewer & Add-Ons · Apr 28, 2026
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Should I get a sewer scope inspection? A sewer scope inspection uses a camera to find hidden pipe issues before closing, helping buyers avoid costly repairs.
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