Quick answer
CCTV drain inspections in Johannesburg run about R1,200 to R2,400 depending on how many access points are needed and how much length is surveyed. You should receive a video file and a written report identifying each defect and its distance along the run. That report is what turns an open-ended digging job into a targeted repair, and it is what you need for a property purchase or an insurance claim.
Common causes
- Length of drain run surveyed and the number of separate branches
- Number of accessible inspection eyes — poor access adds time
- Whether the line has to be jetted before the camera can see anything
- Whether a sonde location survey is included to mark defect positions above ground
- Depth and complexity, with deeper commercial lines costing more
- Whether a formal written report is included or only a video file
What you can do now
- 1Locate and uncover your inspection eyes before the appointment to keep the time down
- 2Write down your blockage history with dates so the surveyor knows what to look for
- 3Ask whether jetting is included or billed separately if the line needs clearing first
- 4Confirm you will receive both the video and a written report, not just a verbal summary
- 5Ask for defect positions to be marked on the surface if any repair is likely
When to call a professional
Book a survey before signing for a property purchase, before any re-lining work, and after any second blockage in the same line. On an older Johannesburg property with mature trees and clay pipework, a pre-purchase drain survey is one of the cheapest pieces of due diligence available — sewer replacement is a five-figure job that almost never shows up in a standard home inspection.
Typical cost in Johannesburg
R1,200–R2,400
Indicative ranges only. We provide written, itemised quotes before any work.
Related services
Need a Plumber or Electrician Today?
Owner-managed by Garth Blair. We pick up the phone and book you in personally.