If you are buying a residence that is more than a few years old and that is connected to a sewer line, a sewer scope is a must have add on to a home inspection. Plain and simple.
The scoping itself can be done by a licensed home inspector while they are looking at the other major systems and currently costs around an additional $200. The agent representing you (buyer) needs to check the box on the home inspection addendum stating that a sewer scope may be included in the home inspection process.
What will the inspection show and why should the buyer care? Generally, the scope goes through a clean out or roof top vent. It follows the home’s main waste line all the way to the sewer. It will show if it is obstructed (typically by tree roots) or crushed/broken over time. If an issue is found, the fix can be $20 – $30K. To discover this problem in the inspection phase assures that the buyer has information to either have the seller resolve the problem or walk away from the transaction.
Recently I represented a young buyer who was purchasing a home from the 1940s. He obtained a sewer scope and it revealed that the pipes traveled completely differently than previously thought and that there HAD BEEN a problem in the past and that the owner had replaced the pipe in the last five years.
This home buyer has one less thing to worry about.
Olympia Real Estate Blog 