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Two situations drive most plumbing inspections: buying a house, or living in one that’s started giving off small warning signs — slow drains in more than one room, a water bill that crept up, a stain on a ceiling nobody can explain. A general home inspection doesn’t cover much of this. Sewer lines in particular fall outside the standard scope, which surprises plenty of buyers in Columbus after closing.

There are three tiers. A visual inspection runs $100 to $200 and takes 60 to 90 minutes. A licensed plumber walks the house checking supply lines, shutoff valves, fixtures, drain speed, water heater connections, and hose bibs, and takes a pressure reading. A sewer camera scope costs $125 to $500 and sends a camera through the lateral to find roots, cracks, bellies, and collapsed sections. A combined inspection runs $400 to $1,300. Most homeowners in Columbus pay around $300.

The sewer scope is the one worth paying for on any home built before about 1995. Clay and cast iron laterals crack, corrode, and collect roots, and a main line replacement runs $2,000 to $10,000 a number you’d rather discover during negotiation than after moving in. You get recorded footage and a report either way, which is leverage if something turns up.

For homeowners not buying anything, once a year is the standard recommendation, or every two years for newer construction. Older systems, hard water, mature trees near the line, and any history of backups argue for more often. Below you’ll find licensed plumbers in Columbus offering visual inspections, sewer camera scopes, leak detection, and combined pre-purchase reports. Ask specifically whether sewer camera work is included in the quote; it usually isn’t, and whether the fee credits toward any repairs they end up doing.

List of Plumbing Inspection Services In Columbus

Based on our criteria
Workman Score
74.2 /100
Based on
153 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 82%
  • Professionalism 76%
  • Experience 80%
  • Price-friendly 58%

What is the overall customer analysis in September?

Muetzel Plumbing & Heating earns strong marks for project completion and technical experience, with numerous reviewers praising skilled diagnostics, thorough workmanship, and technicians who resolved problems that other companies could not. Professionalism scores are solid overall — punctuality, shoe covers, communication, and courteous technicians are frequently cited — but are meaningfully dragg... Read more
Score last updated September 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
74.2 /100
Based on
153 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 72%
  • Professionalism 76%
  • Experience 75%
  • Price-friendly 74%

What is the overall customer analysis in September?

Old Hilliard Plumbing has a strong base of loyal, repeat customers who consistently praise responsiveness, punctuality, and courteous technicians — particularly Adam, Anthony, and Justin. Pricing is generally described as reasonable and fair, with multiple reviewers noting they were among the lowest bids and honored original estimates. However, a meaningful cluster of negative reviews raises serio... Read more
Score last updated September 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
74.2 /100
Based on
32 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 72%
  • Professionalism 78%
  • Experience 84%
  • Price-friendly 82%

What is the overall customer analysis in September?

Rannebarger Home Maintenance has a strong base of satisfied customers who consistently praise Dan's responsiveness, professionalism, and quality of workmanship across a wide range of services including gutter cleaning, power washing, and plumbing/sump pump work. Pricing is frequently described as fair, reasonable, and competitive, which is a notable strength. However, a recurring and serious patte... Read more
Score last updated September 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
74.2 /100
Based on
13 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 85%
  • Professionalism 72%
  • Experience 86%
  • Price-friendly 68%

What is the overall customer analysis in September?

John generally earns strong marks for completing jobs thoroughly, honoring callbacks (e.g., returning to fix a toilet seal), and demonstrating clear technical knowledge across a range of plumbing tasks. Professionalism scores are pulled down significantly by a 2024 no-show incident where the contractor failed to appear for a scheduled appointment and made no contact, which is a serious reliability... Read more
Score last updated September 2026
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Workman Score
72.8 /100
Based on
442 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 79%
  • Professionalism 77%
  • Experience 80%
  • Price-friendly 62%

What is the overall customer analysis in September?

Chuck's Plumbing demonstrates strong technical competence and generally reliable service delivery, reflected in a WW Score of 72.8. The company excels in experience and project completion, with technicians frequently praised for knowledge, efficiency, and problem-solving. However, pricing emerges as a significant weakness, with numerous customers reporting charges substantially higher than competi... Read more
Score last updated September 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
72.8 /100
Based on
283 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 75%
  • Professionalism 79%
  • Experience 80%
  • Price-friendly 58%

What is the overall customer analysis in September?

Waterworks demonstrates strong technical competence and professionalism from individual technicians, with many customers praising punctuality, knowledge, and courteous service. However, the company is significantly hampered by aggressive pricing practices and inconsistent project completion. Pricing complaints are pervasive—customers frequently report being charged $150–$900+ for routine work, wit... Read more
Score last updated September 2026
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How much does a plumbing inspection cost?

Most homeowners pay around $300, with the typical range $100 to $500. A basic visual inspection costs $100 to $200. A standalone sewer camera scope runs $125 to $500. A combined visual-plus-camera inspection is $400 to $1,300. Prices fall within these ranges, with home size and system complexity driving most of the difference. Emergency or after-hours inspections add $100 to $500. Many companies credit the fee toward repairs if you hire them for the work, so ask upfront.

What does a plumbing inspection include?

A visual inspection covers accessible supply lines, shutoff valves, fixtures and faucets, drain speed, toilets, water heater connections and venting, exposed pipes in basements or crawl spaces, and outdoor hose bibs. The plumber also takes water pressure readings at multiple points; a difference of more than about 15 psi between them signals a problem. What it doesn’t cover is anything buried or behind walls. That takes a camera scope, which plumbers almost always price separately as an add-on.

Do I need a sewer scope before buying a house?

For anything built before roughly 1995, yes. Standard home inspections don’t include the sewer line — it falls outside the scope, and clay or cast iron laterals crack, corrode, and take on roots. A scope costs $125 to $500 and takes 30 minutes or less. Compare that against $2,000 to $10,000 for a main line replacement. You get recorded footage, which becomes negotiating leverage. New construction with modern PVC piping usually doesn’t need one. Ask plumbers what they charge as an add-on.

How often should I get a plumbing inspection?

Once a year for most homes, or every two years for newer construction with modern piping. Go annually or more often if the house has older galvanized or cast iron pipe, hard water, mature trees near the sewer line, or any history of backups or leaks. Between professional visits, check under sinks monthly for moisture and watch for slow drains. Plumbers often bundle an annual inspection with water heater flushing and maintenance. Catching a small leak early costs far less than repairing water damage.

How long does a plumbing inspection take?

Sixty to ninety minutes for a visual inspection of a typical single-family home. Larger homes, complex systems, and inspections that include camera work run longer, sometimes two hours or more. The sewer scope itself is fast, usually under 30 minutes once the camera is in the line. A plumber shouldn’t rush it; the value is in thoroughness. Ask plumbers for a written report with photos and video footage if a camera was used too.

Is a plumbing inspection different from a home inspection?

Yes, and that’s the point. A general home inspector gives a broad overview and checks visible fixtures, drain function, and basic water pressure. A licensed plumber inspects the system itself pipe material, pressure regulators, water heater venting, shutoff valve condition and can run camera and pressure tests a home inspector isn’t equipped for. For any house built before 1995, a separate plumbing inspection is worth scheduling alongside the general one. The two reports complement each other rather than overlap.

What problems does an inspection usually find?

The common ones are worth knowing: corroded or leaking shutoff valves, supply lines past their service life, water pressure above 80 psi stressing every joint in the house, a water heater with a depleted anode rod, slow drains signaling partial blockage, and root intrusion in the sewer lateral. Older homes turn up galvanized or polybutylene piping. Most of these cost far less to address early. Plumbers should give you a prioritized list, not just a page of findings.

Other Related Plumbing Services in Columbus

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See customer stories
IR
Igal Rubinshtein @igal

Joel and his team went above and beyond to make sure they helped us fix the gas leak. Joel is a man of his word and came through on his promise.

AP
Alex Pritchard @alexpritch

Very expensive. Make sure you establish the price up front. They did some work on gas pipes, which was specialized so the prices weren't so horrible.

JS
Joe S. @joe

They did a good job and came quickly. Installed a bidet in my toilet. Shout out to Casey for the quality work.

DE
D Evonne W. @evonne

Scheduled service for a clogged toilet and never showed. No call, all messages unanswered

JA
Jari @jari22

If its an easy fit sure they maybe great but if its something different then quoted they are going to charge you either way a hefty price.

AU
Ashley Undercuffler @undercuffler

They never called my property manager, or myself, to ask if they could do an additional estimate while at my property. I was shocked. Companies cannot go around doing estimates.

AJ
A Jackson @jacksona

Mike showed up in an hour to shut off a spigot that I could not shut off. Always great friendly service at a reasonable price!!!

IR
Igal Rubinshtein @igal

Joel and his team went above and beyond to make sure they helped us fix the gas leak. Joel is a man of his word and came through on his promise.

AP
Alex Pritchard @alexpritch

Very expensive. Make sure you establish the price up front. They did some work on gas pipes, which was specialized so the prices weren't so horrible.

JS
Joe S. @joe

They did a good job and came quickly. Installed a bidet in my toilet. Shout out to Casey for the quality work.

DE
D Evonne W. @evonne

Scheduled service for a clogged toilet and never showed. No call, all messages unanswered

JA
Jari @jari22

If its an easy fit sure they maybe great but if its something different then quoted they are going to charge you either way a hefty price.

AU
Ashley Undercuffler @undercuffler

They never called my property manager, or myself, to ask if they could do an additional estimate while at my property. I was shocked. Companies cannot go around doing estimates.

AJ
A Jackson @jacksona

Mike showed up in an hour to shut off a spigot that I could not shut off. Always great friendly service at a reasonable price!!!

What does the Wise Workman score mean?
<70 Low
71–80 Moderate
81–100 High
77.5
WW Score
Learn more about how the Wise Workman scoring system works, along with our data governance policy.
What things affect the Wise Workman score?
Price-Friendly
💰Professionalism:
Experience
🛠️Project
Completion

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