The escrow timeline in this example
- Offer accepted
- The buyer adds a sewer camera inspection to the list of inspections.
- Inspection
- The plumber films from the outdoor cleanout to the street and finds roots at several clay joints and one cracked bell near the sidewalk.
- Report
- The buyer receives the video and a written list of defects by distance.
- Estimates
- Two licensed plumbers review the same footage and give written scopes.
- Negotiation
- Buyer and seller agree in writing on a credit toward the repair.
What made the footage useful
- It covered the full run to the city connection
- Each defect had a distance on screen
- Pipe material was noted for every section
- Both estimates referred to the same defects
- The video was saved and shared with all parties
Options the buyer considered
Seller repairs before closing
- Work done before the buyer owns the house
- Buyer has less say in method and contractor
- Timing depends on scheduling before close
Credit to the buyer
- Buyer chooses the contractor and method
- Work happens after closing
- Buyer takes on the project management
Lessons from the example
Scheduling the sewer inspection early left time for estimates before the contingency period ended. The footage did the arguing; neither side had to rely on a description.
A general home inspection had not looked inside the pipe. Without the separate sewer scope, the buyer would have learned about the roots after moving in.
Common questions
Is this a real Placentia sale?
No. It is an invented example to show how a pre-purchase sewer inspection can be used.
Should buyers always get a sewer scope?
For older homes with clay or cast-iron laterals it is a common and sensible step. Discuss it with your agent.
Who pays for the inspection?
Usually the buyer, as with other inspections, but terms vary by agreement.
General information for Placentia, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.