10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Sewer Line Contractor (2026)

Sewer work requires specific licensing in most jurisdictions — a general plumbing license is not always sufficient for main-line or lateral work. Municipalities often require a separate excavation or sewer-specific license, plus bonding and insurance that covers underground utility damage. An unlicensed contractor who hits a gas line or fiber-optic cable during excavation leaves you liable for the damage.

Any reputable sewer contractor will run a camera through the line before quoting a repair. A camera inspection costs $150–$400 and reveals the exact location, depth, and nature of the problem — root intrusion, bellied pipe, offset joint, or collapse. Contractors who quote a flat repair price without a camera are guessing, and their guess almost always favors their profit margin, not your wallet.

A sewer repair estimate should itemize: excavation or access costs, pipe materials, labor, backfill, surface restoration (lawn, concrete, asphalt), permit fees, and camera inspection before and after. The most common surprise charges are surface restoration, permit fees, and 'unforeseen conditions' clauses. If the estimate says 'plus restoration' without a number, you have an incomplete bid.

Sewer line work requires a municipal permit in virtually every jurisdiction. The contractor should pull the permit, schedule the inspection, and ensure the work passes. If a contractor asks you to pull the permit — or worse, suggests skipping the permit — walk away. Unpermitted sewer work can void your homeowner's insurance coverage and create title problems when you sell.

Your yard has gas lines, electrical conduits, water mains, cable lines, and sometimes fiber optics running underground near the sewer lateral. Before any excavation, the contractor must call 811 (or your local utility locate service) and wait for markings. Hitting a gas line during excavation is a life-safety emergency. Ask the contractor to confirm they will call for utility locates and when they will do so.

A straightforward sewer lateral replacement takes 1–3 days. Trenchless methods can be completed in 1 day. But permits, utility locates, weather, and parts availability can push the timeline to 1–2 weeks from estimate to completion. Ask for a realistic start date and what specific things could delay the project. A contractor who promises to start tomorrow but needs permits and locates is either cutting corners or lying.

A post-repair camera inspection proves the work was done correctly — proper slope, no debris in the line, tight joints, and no remaining obstructions. It costs the contractor almost nothing since they already have the camera on site, but many skip it unless asked. This footage is also your baseline for any future warranty claims.

Standard practice for sewer work is a deposit of 10–30% to cover materials and permit fees, with the balance due upon completion and passing inspection. A contractor who demands 50% or more upfront, or full payment before starting work, is a red flag. You lose all leverage to ensure quality if the money is already in their account. Never pay the final balance until you see the post-repair camera footage and the work passes municipal inspection.