In a real estate transaction, time and momentum matter. Anything that slows things down can create unnecessary friction and potentially put the deal at risk.

Inspection periods are short. Buyers want answers. Sellers want certainty. Realtors are already coordinating inspectors, contractors, title companies, lenders, and everyone else involved in getting a transaction to closing. A sewer camera inspection shouldn’t create another layer of appointments or stress. After speaking with an experienced Twin Cities Realtor recently, one frustration stood out: too often, a sewer inspector identifies a problem and then tells the realtor or homeowner to call somebody else to figure it out.

There’s a better way to do it.

If We Find Roots, We Can Address the Roots

Root intrusion is common in older Twin Cities sewer lines, particularly in sewer systems containing older, often cracked clay tile. If a camera inspection identifies roots or other debris that should be removed, the next step shouldn’t require calling another company, scheduling another appointment, and running another camera through the exact same sewer. Lucky Dog Sewer & Drain provides both sewer camera inspections and sewer cleaning by the same technician in the same appointment window.

Our standalone sewer camera inspection is $249 as of August 2026. Our main sewer line cleaning is $429 and includes a camera inspection at no additional charge as of August 2026.

Why include the camera? Because we want to see the sewer before and after we clean it. The camera allows us to understand the condition of the sewer, perform the appropriate work, and verify the result.

Realtors Shouldn’t Have to Attend Every Sewer Inspection

Another common frustration is access. Realtors have better things to do than drive across the metro simply to unlock a door and wait while a technician performs a sewer inspection. When appropriate access arrangements can be made, Lucky Dog can perform the inspection without the realtor or homeowner remaining at the property.

We’ll respect the home, perform the inspection, and provide documentation afterward. That includes a recorded sewer camera inspection, inspection report, photos where applicable, and our recommendation. Our sewer camera report is specifically designed to capture information relevant to a real estate transaction, including the realtor’s contact information and the end of the inspection period.

“Call a Sewer Specialist” Isn’t Much of an Answer

One of the biggest frustrations we hear about sewer inspection reports is ambiguity. Of course, sewer conditions exist on a spectrum. A small offset is different from a collapsed pipe. Minor root intrusion is different from a major structural defect. But ultimately, buyers, sellers, and Realtors need to know:

Can we leave it alone, or does something need to be done?

Our inspection report is designed to provide that answer. At the end of the inspection, our recommendation falls into one of two basic categories: Proceed: No Major Concerns Identified, or Repair Recommended.

If a repair is recommended, we’ll identify the recommended scope and, when we have enough information to do so, provide an estimated cost to correct it. That gives the parties something much more useful than simply being told to “consult a sewer specialist.”

Camera. Cleaning. Repair. One Company.

If the inspection identifies a problem that requires more than cleaning, Lucky Dog can continue handling the process. We are a licensed plumbing contractor, which allows us to do full service inspection, cleanings, repairs, and plumbing to get the sewer line in working order.

Depending on the situation, we can complete and/or coordinate sewer camera inspections, main sewer cleaning, sewer locating, repair recommendations, sewer repair or replacement, required permits, municipal inspections, coordination with the realtor and homeowner, coordination with a title company when payment at closing is appropriate and approved, and written warranties that transfer to the buyer if the seller is paying for the repair.

The goal is to give Realtors and homeowners one point of contact from the initial sewer inspection through resolution of the problem.

A Better Sewer Inspection for Twin Cities Real Estate Transactions

A sewer inspection should make a real estate transaction simpler. You shouldn’t have to schedule one company to inspect it, another company to clean it, and another company to tell you whether it needs to be repaired. At Lucky Dog Sewer & Drain, our goal is to give Realtors, buyers, and sellers the information they actually need:

Here’s what we found. Here’s the video. Here’s what we recommend. Here’s what it costs if something needs to be fixed. We’ll take it from here.

For Real Estate Transactions, Consider Booking the Main Sewer Cleaning Up Front

Realtors, buyers, and sellers can schedule a $249 standalone sewer camera inspection or a $429 main sewer cleaning with camera inspection included. Pricing current as of August 2026.

For time-sensitive real estate transactions, we recommend scheduling the $429 main sewer cleaning with camera inspection included, particularly for older Twin Cities homes where root intrusion and buildup are common. The reason is simple: if we schedule a camera-only inspection and discover roots that prevent us from adequately evaluating the line, we may need to stop and contact the realtor, buyer, or seller for authorization before proceeding with cleaning.

During a short inspection contingency, we’d rather avoid calling you midway through an inspection of a $975,000 home in Edina to ask whether we’re authorized to spend another $180. Scheduling the cleaning up front gives us authorization to inspect the line, clean it when necessary, and run the camera again afterward so we can provide the clearest assessment possible during the same appointment.

Our objective isn’t to create additional work. It’s to give the parties to the transaction a useful answer with as little back-and-forth as possible.

One appointment. Camera footage. Cleaning when needed. A written report. And a clear way forward.

Realtors, buyers, and sellers can contact us to schedule a $429 main sewer cleaning with camera inspection included. Pricing current as of August 2026.