If you are dealing with a slow drain, a recurring backup, or a sewer issue that keeps coming back, the first question most homeowners ask is: what is this going to cost me?
A sewer camera inspection is the right place to start, and the price is more affordable than most people expect. Here is what Contour charges in the Duluth and Superior area, what is included, and why this step matters before committing to any repair.
What a Sewer Camera Inspection Costs at Contour
We offer two options depending on what your situation calls for:
Basic sewer camera inspection: $250
A full inspection of the sewer line from your cleanout to the city main using our Milwaukee HD camera. You will see the footage in real time and receive a verbal summary of what we find. This option is appropriate for most routine diagnostic situations, including recurring backups, slow drains, and pre-repair diagnosis.
Inspection with locate and written report: $450
Includes the full camera inspection plus a locating service that pinpoints the exact location and depth of any defects in the ground. A written report is provided. This is the option we recommend when you are making a home purchase decision, navigating a shared lateral situation, or planning a repair that requires an accurate mark in the ground for your contractor.
What Affects the Price
A standard inspection within our service area is a flat $250 or $450 depending on which option you choose. A few factors can affect cost:
- Distance outside our standard service area may add drive time
- Heavily blocked lines may need cleaning before the camera can pass through. We will let you know before any additional work begins.
- If a house trap is present and blocking camera access, we will discuss trap removal options with you before proceeding
No surprise charges. If anything changes scope, we explain it before we move forward.
The Right Diagnostic Before Any Repair
A surgeon does not recommend a procedure before running the right diagnostics. An MRI or scan comes first, so the physician knows exactly what they are working with before advising a course of treatment. Sewer repair works the same way.
We would not recommend digging up a yard, lining a pipe, or replacing a sewer line without first knowing exactly what is down there. The camera tells us:
- Whether there is root intrusion and how severe it is
- Whether the pipe is cracked, shifted, sagging, or showing signs of collapse
- Whether a simple cleaning or a small spot repair will resolve the problem
- Whether the condition warrants a full replacement or a lining treatment
- The material, age, and overall condition of the pipe from the house to the city main
A $250 inspection can prevent a $15,000 decision made on a guess.
For a full breakdown of what each finding means and what it calls for, read What a Sewer Camera Inspection Shows (And What Each Finding Means).
Your Footage Belongs to You
One thing homeowners do not always realize: the camera footage is yours. If you want to get quotes from more than one company after the inspection, you can share that footage with anyone you choose. You are under no obligation to use Contour for the repair just because we performed the inspection.
We say this because we believe the right contractor for a job should earn it based on the quality of their recommendation and estimate, not because they are holding footage you cannot access elsewhere. Bring the footage to as many companies as you want. The numbers will speak for themselves.
Is a $250 Sewer Inspection Worth It?
Consider what you are comparing it against:
- Sewer pipe lining starts at $5,000
- Pipe bursting and full replacement runs $12,000 to $20,000 or more
- A misdiagnosed repair that requires additional work can easily double either of those costs
The $250 or $450 inspection is the diagnostic that tells you whether you need the $5,000 solution, the $20,000 solution, or nothing at all right now. Most homeowners who book an inspection leave with a clearer picture and a more informed decision. That is worth more than the cost of the inspection itself.
What You Walk Away With
At the end of the inspection you will have:
- A clear picture of the current condition of your sewer line
- HD footage of any defects, roots, or areas of concern
- An honest recommendation on what comes next (which may be nothing, a minor cleaning, or a repair quote)
- A free repair estimate from Contour if the inspection reveals work that needs to be done
Most inspections are completed in one to two hours from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an inspection before getting a repair estimate?
In most cases, yes. We cannot provide an accurate repair estimate without knowing the condition of the pipe. The camera inspection is the first step, and in most situations the cost of the inspection is applied toward any repair work we complete.
Can I use the footage to get a quote from another company?
Yes. The footage is yours. We encourage property owners to be informed and to make decisions they feel confident about. Share it with as many companies as you like.
How long does an inspection take?
Most standard inspections are completed in one to two hours, including setup, the camera run, and a walkthrough of what we found.
What if the line is blocked and the camera cannot get through?
If roots or debris are preventing the camera from passing, we may recommend cleaning the line first. We will tell you before that work begins. Cleaning is a separate service, and we will not proceed with it without your approval.
Do you serve Superior, WI?
Yes. We serve Duluth, Superior, Hermantown, Proctor, Cloquet, Two Harbors, and the broader Twin Ports region. There may be additional drive time for locations outside our standard service area.
What if a house trap is blocking access?
Some older homes in Duluth and Superior have house traps that sit inside the sewer line and can block the camera from reaching the full line. We can discuss options for working around or removing the trap before proceeding.
My neighbor just had a camera inspection done. Do I still need my own?
Yes, and this is worth understanding. Many sewer lines in Duluth and Superior were laid at the same time, so when one home shows root intrusion or a deteriorating pipe, neighboring homes with the same pipe age and material often have similar conditions developing. Your neighbor’s footage tells you something useful about the neighborhood, but your sewer line has its own cleanout, its own path, and its own story. An inspection on your property is the only way to know what is happening on your specific line.
Ready to know what is actually in your sewer line? Schedule your inspection with Contour. We serve Duluth, Superior, and the full Twin Ports region.