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The single most valuable thing you can do before authorizing sewer repair is demand camera footage. A $150 to $500 inspection routinely separates a $2,400 spot repair from a $6,200 full replacement, because a line that fails in one four-foot section can look identical from the surface to one that’s failed end to end. Any quote written without a scope is a guess. Homeowners in Columbus should ask for the video before signing anything.

Repair costs span a wide range because scope does. A spot repair replacing a damaged 5- to 10-foot section runs $1,500 to $4,000. Full trenchless relining costs $4,000 to $10,000. Traditional excavation with full replacement runs $5,000 to $15,000 or more. Per foot, that’s $50 to $250 for open trench and $60 to $300 for trenchless. Most sewer repairs in Columbus land between $1,500 and $7,000, with a national average near $3,800.

Restoration is what makes the two methods closer than the per-foot numbers suggest. Open excavation adds $3,000 to $8,000 in surface repair once lawn, driveway, or patio has to be put back. Trenchless works through small access pits and skips most of that, finishing in about a day. It has limits: lining needs the host pipe to hold its shape, and a collapsed or severely offset section has to be dug.

Insurance is unlikely to help. Standard policies exclude the buried line and treat roots, corrosion, and wear as maintenance. Service line and water backup endorsements cost roughly $30 to $150 a year for $10,000 to $20,000 in coverage — worth adding before you need it. Below you’ll find licensed plumbers and sewer contractors in Columbus handling camera inspection, spot repair, pipe lining, pipe bursting, and full excavation. Insist on a line-item written estimate and a post-repair camera run.

List of Sewer Repair Companies In Columbus

Based on our criteria
Workman Score
62.1 /100
Based on
4 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp
Score Data Quality
Limited evidence
Use with caution
  • Project Completion 58%
  • Professionalism 52%
  • Experience 72%
  • Price-friendly 78%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Professionalism is the most-mentioned dimension and is significantly dragged down by a detailed 1-star review describing a complete no-show with no communication, which directly contradicts the positive experiences described in other reviews. Project completion is similarly mixed — one reviewer never had their job started at all, while others report fast and effective service. Pricing and experien... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
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Workman Score
58.3 /100
Based on
261 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 52%
  • Professionalism 68%
  • Experience 60%
  • Price-friendly 28%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Peterman Brothers presents a deeply polarized review profile. Individual technicians are frequently praised for professionalism, friendliness, punctuality, and clear communication, which elevates the professionalism score considerably. However, pricing is the single most damaging dimension: dozens of negative reviews describe charges that reviewers characterize as grossly excessive, non-transparen... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
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ROOTER MAN

ROOTER MAN

Columbus, Indiana
Workman Score
58.2 /100
Based on
752 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 60%
  • Professionalism 62%
  • Experience 63%
  • Price-friendly 32%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

This is a franchise brand with hundreds of locations, and the review pool reflects wildly inconsistent quality across different operators and technicians. Professionalism scores are dragged down significantly by a large volume of reviews describing rude, condescending, or outright hostile technicians and office staff, though many positive reviews praise specific named technicians as courteous and ... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
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Workman Score
58.7 /100
Based on
9 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 52%
  • Professionalism 55%
  • Experience 55%
  • Price-friendly 72%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

C Lacey Plumbing presents a deeply mixed picture across all dimensions. Professionalism is significantly undermined by multiple explicit no-show, no-call complaints spanning different years, which directly contradict the positive reviews praising punctuality and courteous behavior. Project completion is similarly split — while several reviewers report successful, thorough work, one detailed 1-star... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
View Profile
Workman Score
58.3 /100
Based on
11 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi
Score Data Quality
Moderate evidence
Decent data coverage
  • Project Completion 52%
  • Professionalism 62%
  • Experience 65%
  • Price-friendly 78%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

Proficient Plumbing presents a deeply mixed picture. Several positive reviews praise professionalism, politeness, and reasonable pricing, but two detailed 1-star reviews — one of which appears to be a near-duplicate submission — describe serious failures: a botched water heater installation with unresolved follow-up, the owner hanging up on a customer seeking warranty repairs, and a subcontractor ... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
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Workman Score
52.1 /100
Based on
2515 reviews analyzed
Yelp Yelp Angi Angi Thumbtack Thumbtack Homeadvisor Homeadvisor Google Google
Score Data Quality
Strong evidence
High confidence data
  • Project Completion 50%
  • Professionalism 58%
  • Experience 55%
  • Price-friendly 28%

What is the overall customer analysis in August?

ARS Rescue Rooter presents a deeply polarized review profile. A significant portion of positive reviews praise individual technicians as professional, courteous, knowledgeable, and timely, which elevates the professionalism and experience scores above what the negative reviews alone would suggest. However, the volume and severity of negative reviews is substantial: recurring themes include no-show... Read more
Score last updated August 2026
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Do I need a camera inspection before sewer repair?

Yes, treat it as non-negotiable. A scope costs $150 to $500 and shows exactly where the line failed, why, and how much of it is still sound. That distinction is worth thousands: a single four-foot root intrusion is a $2,400 spot repair, not a $6,200 full replacement. Ask for the footage and a written defect summary, and ask for a second camera run after the work to verify it. Plumbers usually credit the fee toward the repair.

How much does sewer line repair cost?

Most residential sewer repairs run $1,500 to $7,000, with a national average around $3,800. A spot repair on a damaged 5- to 10-foot section is $1,500 to $4,000. Full trenchless relining runs $4,000 to $10,000, and traditional excavation with replacement $5,000 to $15,000 or more. Camera inspection costs $150 to $500 and is usually credited toward the work. Prices vary most with depth, access, and surface restoration. Labor rates alone differ by nearly 50% between US markets.

Trenchless or excavation which repair should I choose?

Trenchless when the pipe is damaged but intact; excavation when it’s collapsed. Lining and bursting work through small access pits, finish in about a day, and skip the $3,000 to $8,000 in surface restoration that open trenching triggers. That matters most when the line runs under a driveway, patio, or mature trees. Excavation stays cheaper for short spot repairs in open lawn. Contractors should quote both options once the camera confirms the pipe’s condition. Compare the totals, not the per-foot rate.

What are the signs I need sewer line repair?

Multiple drains slowing at once, toilets gurgling, water backing into a tub when a toilet flushes, and persistent sewer odors indoors or near the cleanout. Outside, look for soggy or unusually green strips of lawn along the line, sunken patches, or a sudden increase in pests. Backups that return within weeks of a cleaning point point to structural damage rather than a clog. Any of these warrants a camera scope from a plumber rather than another round of cleaning.

Does homeowners insurance cover sewer line repair?

Usually not. Standard policies exclude the buried line and classify roots, corrosion, clogs, and normal wear as maintenance rather than sudden loss. Coverage typically applies only when a named peril causes the damage. Two endorsements close the gap: service line coverage for the pipe itself, and water backup coverage for interior damage when sewage comes up through drains. They run roughly $30 to $150 a year for $10,000 to $20,000 in limits. Ask your agent about both before hiring anyone.

Should I repair a section or replace the whole line?

Repair a section when the camera shows one localized defect, and the rest of the pipe is sound. A spot repair at $1,500 to $4,000 beats a $10,000 replacement. Replace when the material itself is failing: Orangeburg, deteriorating clay with joints separating throughout, or cast iron that’s corroded end to end. Age matters. Clay lines last 50 to 60 years. Ask plumbers to point to the specific footage that supports whichever option they recommend. That request alone filters out upselling.

How long does sewer repair take and what's the warranty?

Trenchless spot repairs and lining usually take about a day to complete. Open excavation runs one to three days, plus permit review beforehand and inspection before backfill. Surface restoration follows separately and can add days or weeks. On warranty, CIPP liners are rated up to 50 years, and reputable contractors warrant their workmanship; ask for the term in writing. Also ask plumbers for a post-repair camera run to confirm the liner is sealed properly before final payment is made.

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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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