Paying $280 for a sewer line inspection saved me from a $6,000 nightmare

So I was about to buy this cute 1950s bungalow in East Atlanta and everything looked fine on the surface. My realtor didn't think I needed a sewer scope but I decided to pay for one anyway since I'd read horror stories online. The inspector found a massive root intrusion and a collapsed section right under the driveway. The seller ended up giving me $4,500 at closing to fix it. Without that inspection I would have been stuck with a huge bill and a backed up basement within a year. Has anyone else had a sewer scope catch something big before closing?

2 comments

2 Comments

sanchez.mary2d ago

Realtors pushing back on inspections is pretty common since they want the deal to close fast. A good home inspector should have spotted signs of sewer issues without a scope though, like damp spots in the yard or slow drains. Glad it worked out for you but $280 feels steep for something a regular plumber could have flagged for way less.

dakotam172d ago

$280 seems like a lot for something that wasn't even that bad honestly, @sanchez.mary.