Told He Needed a $25,000 Sewer Liner. The Camera Said Otherwise.
Project Overview
Another company told this Weber County homeowner his sewer line had to be lined, and quoted him $25,000. Before signing, he called Rhino Rooter for a second opinion. John Larsen ran a camera through the full length of the line, and the footage showed the sewer didn’t need lining at all.
This is how that call played out, what the camera is actually looking for, and how to tell whether your own lining quote is the real deal.
The Challenge: A $25,000 Quote and No Way to Check It
A Big Number for a Pipe You Can’t See
Your sewer line runs underground from the house to the city main. You can’t look at it, so when a contractor says it needs to be relined, you usually have to take their word for it. At $25,000, that’s a lot of trust to hand over on one opinion.
A Quote Well Above Our Typical Range
For context, Rhino Rooter’s published range for a typical 60-foot residential lining job is $9,500–$12,000, or about $135–$200 per foot for a 4-inch line. Long runs, difficult access, or extra work can push a job higher, so a big quote isn’t automatically wrong. But a number more than double the typical range is a good reason to get a second set of eyes on the pipe. See our CIPP pipe lining page for how lining is priced.
Why Lining Gets Over-Recommended
Lining is a great repair when a pipe is cracked, full of roots, or falling apart and the old pipe can still hold a liner. It isn’t the answer to every slow drain or one-off clog. Some lines just need cleaning. Some have one bad joint that doesn’t justify relining the whole run. A single ugly section seen on camera can make a whole line look worse than it is.
The Homeowner’s Stakes
He had a quote in hand and a decision to make: sign and spend $25,000, or get someone else to look first. He chose to call Rhino Rooter.
Our Solution: Put a Camera Through the Whole Line
The Owner Does the Inspection
John Larsen has run Rhino Rooter since 2003 and has around 27,000 jobs behind him. He’s a MaxLiner and Source 1 Environmental certified lining installer, so he knows exactly when a pipe needs a liner and when it doesn’t. When you call for a second opinion, he’s the one who shows up.
Inspect the Entire Line, Not One Spot
John ran a sewer camera through the line and reviewed it from end to end. Our camera inspections pair the camera with a sonde and locator, so any problem can be marked on the surface with its depth and location. The point is to see the whole run. That’s how you tell a pipe that needs repair from one that just needs maintenance.
An Honest Answer, Even When It Costs Us the Job
After looking at the entire line, the answer was clear: the sewer did not need to be lined. That’s a lining job we could have quoted ourselves. We told the homeowner the truth instead.
The inspection that answered the question cost about 1% of the lining quote.
How a Rhino Rooter Second-Opinion Inspection Works
Hear the first diagnosis
Tell us what the other company found and what they quoted. If you have their video, bring it.
Run the camera through the full line
We inspect from the cleanout to the city main and use a locator to mark the depth and location of any problem on the surface.
Show you what we see
You watch the footage with us. We point out roots, cracks, bellies, offset joints or scale, and tell you plainly whether they matter. You get a copy of the video.
Recommend only what the pipe needs
That could be nothing, a cleaning, hydro jetting, a spot repair, or lining. If it’s lining or trenchless sewer repair, you get a written quote before any work starts.
Results: $25,000 Saved and a Customer for Life
The Lining Job Didn’t Happen
The camera showed the line didn’t need to be lined. The homeowner kept the $25,000 he was ready to spend.
A Decision Based on Footage, Not a Sales Pitch
The call was made from what was on the screen, not from a price sheet or a guess. That’s what a second opinion should be.
A Customer Who’ll Call Back
In his words: “If I ever need sewer work in the future I will for sure be calling Rhino Rooter.”
What the Customer Says
“Was told by another company that my sewer needed to be lined and that it would cost $25,000. Called Rhino Rooter for a second opinion. John came out and ran a camera through the line. After looking at the entire line it was determined that the sewer did not need to be lined. John was very friendly and honest. If I ever need sewer work in the future I will for sure be calling Rhino Rooter.”
Why a Second Opinion Is Worth It Before Any Sewer Lining Job
How camera findings map to a recommendation. In this case the line didn’t need lining. One Quote vs. a Camera-Verified Second Opinion
| Factor | Taking the first quote | Rhino Rooter second opinion |
|---|---|---|
| What you see | A verbal diagnosis | The full line on video, with a copy for you |
| How much of the line is checked | Often one problem spot | The entire run, end to end |
| Recommendation | Often the biggest repair | Only what the pipe actually needs |
| Who inspects | Varies | John Larsen, certified lining installer |
| Cost to find out | Up to $25,000 if you sign | A $250–$300 camera inspection |
When Lining Is the Right Call
We install liners, so we’re not against them. Lining makes sense when the camera shows cracked or broken pipe, heavy root intrusion, Orangeburg or cast iron that’s breaking down, or offset joints, and the old pipe is still sound enough to hold a liner. Our liners carry a 10-year workmanship warranty and an expected life of about 50-year. See CIPP lining vs. excavation and our trenchless sewer repair cost guide for how we decide and what it costs.
A failing pipe vs. a new CIPP liner. Brand photo, not from this job. 5 Questions to Ask Before You Approve Sewer Lining
Any lining quote should survive these five questions. If it doesn’t, get a second opinion before you sign.
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1. Can I see the footage? — A real diagnosis comes with video. Ask for a copy.
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2. Where exactly is the damage, and how deep? — A locator can mark it on the surface. Vague answers are a red flag.
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3. Was the whole line inspected? — One bad section doesn’t always mean the whole run needs a liner.
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4. Would cleaning or a spot repair fix it? — If the answer is “no,” ask why.
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5. What’s the price per foot, and how long is my line? — That lets you compare quotes fairly against typical ranges.
About the Technician
John Larsen, Owner-Operator, Rhino Rooter Sewer & Drain
John bought Rhino Rooter in 2003 and has handled around 27,000 sewer and drain jobs across Weber, Davis, Box Elder and Cache Counties. He’s a MaxLiner and Source 1 Environmental certified lining installer, and he still runs the camera on second-opinion calls himself. More about Rhino Rooter.
The Rhino Rooter Sewer & Drain team, West Haven, UT. Benefits for Weber County Homeowners
What you get when you call us for a second look:
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Local owner-operator, 23 years in business, about 27,000 jobs
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MaxLiner and Source 1 Environmental certified installer
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4.82-star average across 144 Google reviews
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Inspection video and written quotes before any work starts
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Serving Ogden, Roy, West Haven, North Ogden and surrounding communities
Frequently Asked Questions About Sewer Lining Second Opinions
Should I get a second opinion before paying for sewer lining?
Yes. Lining is a major repair, and a camera inspection costs a small fraction of it. A second inspection confirms whether the whole line needs a liner, only one section needs work, or a cleaning will do.
How much does a sewer camera inspection cost?
A standard camera inspection or diagnostic at Rhino Rooter runs $250–$300, and you get a copy of the video. See our sewer camera inspection guide for what the inspection covers.
How much does sewer lining cost in Utah?
For a residential 4-inch line, lining typically runs $135–$200 per linear foot, and a typical 60-foot project lands around $9,500–$12,000. Your price depends on length, access, and the pipe’s condition. See the trenchless sewer repair cost guide.
What signs mean my sewer line actually needs lining?
Cracks or breaks, heavy root intrusion, offset or separated joints, and deteriorating Orangeburg or cast iron pipe are the common reasons. The camera also has to show the old pipe is sound enough to hold a liner. See signs you need sewer repair.
Can I use the other company’s camera footage?
Yes, bring it. We’ll review it with you. If it doesn’t show the full line or the problem isn’t clear, we’ll run our own camera so the decision is based on the whole pipe.
Will Rhino Rooter tell me if I don’t need a repair?
Yes. If the camera shows a sound line, we tell you, even when that means there’s no repair job for us. That’s exactly what happened in this case study.
What areas does Rhino Rooter serve?
We’re based in West Haven and serve Ogden, Roy, North Ogden, Layton, Brigham City, Logan, and communities across Weber, Davis, Box Elder, and Cache Counties, about a 75-mile radius. See all service areas.
Got a Big Sewer Quote? Get a Second Look From Rhino Rooter
Before you sign off on lining or excavation, let us put a camera through the line and show you what’s really there. Call (435) 225-5678 or request a free estimate.