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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
72.8 /100
Based on
11 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 78%
  • Professionalism 65%
  • Experience 85%
  • Price-friendly 88%

What is the overall customer analysis in September?

J&J Plumbing demonstrates strong technical expertise and competitive pricing, with multiple reviews praising fair costs and skilled workmanship. However, professionalism is significantly undermined by severe communication failures, unresponsiveness, and one incident of vulgar employee conduct. The company excels at problem-solving and honest assessments but struggles with follow-through on callbac... Read more
Score last updated September 2026
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Workman Score
72.3 /100
Based on
5 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 85%
  • Professionalism 68%
  • Experience 83%
  • Price-friendly 40%

What is the overall customer analysis in September?

Cliff demonstrates solid technical skill and generally completes projects successfully, as evidenced by multiple reviews praising workmanship and problem-solving (catching upside-down toilet seals, installing spigots with preventive measures). However, professionalism is inconsistent: while some reviews highlight quick response and politeness, a critical 2020 review documents a week-long non-respo... Read more
Score last updated September 2026
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Workman Score
72.1 /100
Based on
17 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 70%
  • Professionalism 68%
  • Experience 67%
  • Price-friendly 62%

What is the overall customer analysis in September?

Ron's Heating & Cooling has a mixed but generally positive track record across its review history. Professionalism scores were dragged down significantly by one detailed 1-star review describing a rude, dirty technician who left a family without heat and failed to follow up, which is a serious mark against an otherwise mostly positive set of professionalism mentions. Pricing received a notable neg... Read more
Score last updated September 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
72.1 /100
Based on
6 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 74%
  • Professionalism 72%
  • Experience 82%
  • Price-friendly 78%

What is the overall customer analysis in September?

Absolute Irrigation has a strong positive track record across multiple reviews praising Robert and his crew for technical knowledge, thorough installations, and professional conduct. However, the most recent review (2021) describes a serious professionalism failure involving an aggressive technician, a missed winterization, and a dismissive office response that significantly weighs down the profes... Read more
Score last updated September 2026
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Workman Score
72.1 /100
Based on
4 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 70%
  • Professionalism 72%
  • Experience 88%
  • Price-friendly 88%

What is the overall customer analysis in September?

Three of four reviews paint a consistently positive picture of A-1 Septic, praising reasonable pricing, knowledgeable technicians, and jobs completed efficiently. However, the single 1-star review is a serious drag on Professionalism and Project Completion scores, describing a no-show within the appointment window, no proactive communication, unanswered calls, and a disputed billing charge for a m... Read more
Score last updated September 2026
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Workman Score
84.6 /100
Based on
4 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp
Score Data Quality
Limited evidence
Use with caution
  • Project Completion 88%
  • Professionalism 90%
  • Experience 87%
  • Price-friendly 82%

What is the overall customer analysis in September?

Ohio Valley Plumbing receives consistently positive feedback across all four scored dimensions, with particular strength in professionalism — reviewers repeatedly highlight prompt callbacks, friendly demeanor, clear communication, and reliable responsiveness. Project completion scores well, as all reviewed jobs appear to have been resolved fully and efficiently, including a notably thorough sump p... 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.

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1.2 million + Plumber reviews analyzed

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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