Pre-Purchase
Sewer Inspection
A standard home inspection doesn’t touch the sewer lateral. In Birmingham, Troy, Rochester Hills, and Royal Oak — where pre-1980 homes with 50–70 year old clay pipe sell for $400K–$1M+ — that’s a significant gap in buyer due diligence. Bison Plumbing’s pre-purchase sewer inspection provides HD camera footage, a written report with repair cost estimates, and documentation your agent and attorney can use in negotiation. $200–$400. Report in 48 hours.
A pre-purchase sewer inspection uses a Picote Solutions HD camera to inspect the sewer lateral before closing — providing HD video footage, a written report with findings, pipe material and age assessment, and a repair cost estimate if deficiencies are found. Cost: $200–$400. Report delivered within 48 hours. Findings can be used for seller credit negotiation, repair contingencies, or walk-away decisions. Part of Bison’s Sewer Camera Inspection services. Serving Oakland and Macomb County home buyers since 1998.
Standard Home Inspections Don’t Cover the Sewer Lateral
A licensed home inspector evaluates the roof, foundation, electrical, HVAC, and visible plumbing fixtures. The sewer lateral — the underground pipe running from the home’s foundation to the municipal connection — is explicitly outside the scope of a standard home inspection. It requires a separate camera inspection to assess.
In Oakland County’s pre-1980 housing stock, that unassessed pipe is typically clay tile installed when the home was built — now 50–70 years old, potentially root-invaded, cracked, or offset from decades of Michigan freeze-thaw cycles. The buyer takes legal ownership of that pipe at closing, along with the full financial responsibility for whatever condition it’s in. A $200–$400 pre-purchase inspection is the only way to know what that responsibility looks like before you sign.
Why Pre-Purchase Sewer Inspection Is Critical in These Markets
Birmingham’s older housing stock — many homes built before 1950 — sits on some of the oldest clay sewer laterals in Oakland County. Root intrusion from mature specimen trees and silver maples throughout the city is extremely common. A Birmingham sewer lateral inspection before closing is as essential as a structural inspection on a home of this value.
Troy’s ranch and colonial homes from the 1960s–1980s are approaching the end of their original pipe’s useful life. The active real estate market and high transaction volume make pre-purchase sewer inspections increasingly standard practice among informed buyers — and Troy’s HOA communities make post-purchase sewer repair especially complicated.
Rochester Hills’ older western neighborhoods (formerly Avon Township) have clay laterals now 50–70 years old, while eastern developments near Oakland University are newer. Identifying which pipe era a specific home is on makes a camera inspection especially valuable before buying — the repair liability differs significantly between the two.
Royal Oak’s post-WWII bungalows are the densest concentration of aging clay pipe in the service area. Silver maple and elm root intrusion is endemic throughout the city’s residential neighborhoods. A pre-purchase inspection here frequently reveals root intrusion requiring $300–$600 in cleaning or $6,500–$15,000 in CIPP lining.
Bloomfield Hills estate properties have long lateral runs through heavily treed land — root intrusion pressure from multiple directions on laterals that may extend 80–150+ feet from the foundation. The combination of high home values and long, root-exposed laterals makes a pre-purchase inspection particularly high-stakes here.
Ferndale has the oldest housing stock in the service area — many homes built in the 1920s–1940s with clay laterals now approaching or past 100 years old. A pre-purchase camera inspection here frequently reveals end-of-life pipe requiring full replacement, making it critical buyer due diligence in this market.
What Bison’s Pre-Purchase Inspection Includes
Full Lateral Camera Inspection — Picote Solutions HD
The Picote Solutions HD push camera feeds the full lateral from the cleanout access point — recording footage of every foot of the pipe run from the foundation to the municipal connection. Distance is measured from the cleanout at each finding, providing exact defect locations for repair planning. The camera operates in the pipe without requiring dewatering or special access beyond the cleanout.
HD Video Footage — Provided Digitally
The complete inspection run is recorded and provided to the buyer digitally — yours to keep, share with your real estate attorney, forward to your agent, or use for a second-opinion estimate from another contractor. The footage is timestamped and distance-marked at each finding.
Written Inspection Report
A written technician assessment documenting every finding — damage type, footage distance from cleanout, severity rating, and repair recommendation. Each finding references the specific video footage timestamp. The report is formatted for use in real estate transactions: clear, professional, and signed by the technician. Delivered within 48 hours of the inspection.
Pipe Material and Age Assessment
Camera footage confirms the pipe material — clay tile, cast-iron, PVC, or concrete — and assesses the current wall condition relative to the pipe’s estimated age. This assessment is important for buyers: a cast-iron pipe showing early interior corrosion requires different urgency than an intact PVC lateral. Material and age context are included in the written report.
Repair Cost Estimate — If Deficiencies Found
When the camera reveals deficiencies — root intrusion, cracks, joint offsets, or structural damage — the report includes a specific repair recommendation and cost range. This estimate is the number your real estate agent uses in the seller credit negotiation. It covers the method (cleaning, pipe patching, CIPP lining, or replacement) and the specific cost range for a lateral of the inspected diameter and length.
Using the Report in Real Estate Negotiation
Three Ways Buyers Use Pre-Purchase Inspection Findings
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Seller Credit at Closing
The most common outcome. Buyer presents the written report and repair estimate to the seller — requesting a closing credit equal to the repair cost. Seller reduces the net proceeds; buyer uses the credit to fund the repair after closing. The inspection report provides the specific dollar figure and technical justification the seller and their agent need to evaluate the request.
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Seller Completes Repair Before Closing
Seller arranges and funds the sewer repair before the closing date — typically using their own contractor or accepting Bison Plumbing’s quote. Buyer requests post-repair camera verification by an independent inspector to confirm the repair was completed to specification before closing. Bison provides post-repair camera verification as a standalone service.
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Price Reduction or Walk Away
When the inspection reveals severe pipe deterioration — a collapsed lateral requiring $15,000–$25,000 in replacement — buyers may negotiate a purchase price reduction rather than a credit, or use the finding to exit the contract under an inspection contingency. The inspection report provides the documented basis for either outcome.
How to Schedule a Pre-Purchase Inspection
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Contact Bison — Provide Property Address and Closing Date
Call (248) 247-7707 or submit a request online. Provide the property address, your closing date, and the best contact for the listing agent or seller to coordinate access. Bison schedules pre-purchase inspections within 24–48 hours of request — confirm your specific timeline when booking.
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Seller Grants Cleanout Access — Buyer or Agent Coordinates
The inspection requires access to the cleanout — typically a capped pipe fitting in the basement or near the foundation exterior. The listing agent coordinates access with the seller or their agent. The buyer does not need to be present, but may attend if they choose. The inspection itself takes 45–90 minutes depending on lateral length.
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Camera Inspection Performed — Full Lateral Run
Picote Solutions HD camera runs the full lateral — recording footage from cleanout to the end of the pipe run, distance-marking each finding. The technician reviews findings in real time and prepares notes for the written report.
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Written Report + HD Video Delivered Within 48 Hours
The written inspection report and HD video footage are delivered digitally within 48 hours of the inspection appointment. Report includes all findings, footage timestamps, pipe material assessment, and repair cost estimates if applicable. Formatted for immediate use by your real estate agent, attorney, or in a seller credit negotiation.
For Real Estate Professionals — Referring Bison Plumbing
Bison Plumbing as Your Pre-Purchase Inspection Partner
Oakland County real estate agents representing buyers on pre-1980 homes rely on Bison Plumbing for pre-purchase sewer inspections because the report is formatted for transaction use — specific findings, footage-supported cost estimates, and professional documentation that holds up in negotiation and under attorney review.
- 24–48 hour scheduling — fits active closing timelines
- Written report formatted for real estate transaction use
- HD video footage provided with every inspection
- Repair cost estimates specific to the inspected pipe
- LARA-licensed technicians — credentialed findings
- Post-repair verification available after seller completes repair
- Serves all Oakland and Macomb County markets
- 3,000+ reviews — 4.9 stars — trusted by buyers and sellers
To refer a buyer for a pre-purchase inspection, call (248) 247-7707 or submit online. Include the property address, buyer contact, and closing date. Bison coordinates access with the listing agent directly.
Michigan purchase agreements typically include a 7–14 day inspection contingency window. Schedule the sewer inspection within the first 2–3 days of the contingency period — this leaves sufficient time to receive the 48-hour report, consult your agent and attorney, and submit a seller credit request or amendment before the contingency expires. For tight timelines, call Bison at (248) 247-7707 to confirm same-day or next-day availability.
Related Services
Sewer Camera Inspection Hub
All camera inspection services — diagnostic, pre-purchase, and post-repair verification.
Diagnostic Camera Inspection
Post-symptom root cause identification — for homeowners already experiencing problems.
Post-Repair Verification
Camera verification after seller completes repair — confirms work was completed to spec.
Birmingham Sewer Inspection
Pre-purchase sewer inspection specific to Birmingham’s pre-1950 clay pipe housing stock.
Frequently Asked Questions — Pre-Purchase Sewer Inspection
Bison Plumbing’s pre-purchase inspection includes: a full Picote Solutions HD camera run of the sewer lateral; HD video footage provided digitally; a written inspection report with all findings and footage timestamps; pipe material and estimated age assessment; and a repair cost estimate for any deficiencies found. Typical report turnaround is 48 hours from the inspection appointment.
A pre-purchase sewer inspection with Bison Plumbing runs $200–$400 depending on lateral length and access. For Birmingham, Troy, and Rochester Hills homes worth $400K–$1M+, the inspection cost is a small fraction of the repair liability it can reveal — typically $6,500–$15,000 for CIPP pipe lining or $8,000–$20,000 for sewer line replacement.
Yes — the written report and repair cost estimate are specifically formatted for this use. When the report documents a deficiency with HD camera footage and a specific repair cost, it provides the documented evidence a real estate agent needs to request a closing credit. Sellers can credit the repair cost at closing, complete the repair before closing, or negotiate a price reduction. Your real estate attorney can advise on which approach suits your contract structure.
No — a standard home inspection does not include sewer lateral assessment. Home inspectors evaluate visible and accessible systems. The sewer lateral — the underground pipe from the foundation to the municipal connection — is explicitly outside standard inspection scope. For pre-1980 homes in Macomb and Oakland County, a separate camera inspection is strongly recommended as part of buyer due diligence.
Bison Plumbing typically schedules within 24–48 hours of request, with the written report and HD video delivered within 48 hours of the inspection. For tight closing timelines, call (248) 247-7707 directly to confirm availability for your specific date. Schedule within the first 2–3 days of your inspection contingency period to allow sufficient time for report review, negotiation, and any required amendments before the contingency expires.
Don’t Close Without Knowing What’s Under the Yard.
Bison Plumbing schedules pre-purchase sewer inspections within 24–48 hours. Written report and HD video in 48 hours. $200–$400. Oakland and Macomb County since 1998.
Schedule a Pre-Purchase Inspection (248) 247-7707 3,000+ five-star customers — LARA licensed — report formatted for real estate use