Published 2026 guides put a sewer or drain camera inspection at about $150 to $400, leak detection at about $150 to $400, and a backflow test at about $25 to $179 per assembly. No source we found publishes a single flat fee for a general plumber inspection in Burbank, so a whole-house check is quoted by scope. Our permits, codes and inspections page covers the rules behind these jobs.
What do typical plumber inspections cost in Burbank?
Plan on roughly $150 to $400 for a camera inspection or a leak detection visit, and $25 to $179 for a backflow assembly test. These are national or California-wide published ranges, not a Burbank price list. A whole-house check that combines several of these is priced by what you want looked at, so ask for the scope before the price.
| Inspection | Guide price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Sewer or drain camera inspection | $150 to $400 | Video of the pipe interior showing cracks, roots or offsets |
| Leak detection, including slab leaks | $150 to $400 | Locating a hidden leak with listening or pressure gear; often credited toward the repair |
| Backflow assembly test | $25 to $179 per assembly | Annual test and filing with the utility |
| Comprehensive plumbing inspection | Quoted by scope | Pressure, shutoffs, fixtures, water heater, drains and visible pipe, in one visit |
Use the table as a way to compare quotes, not as a promise. For a service call, see plumber service call cost in Burbank, and for time-and-labor work see the hourly rate guide.
What pushes inspection prices up or down?
Scope, access and age move the price most. A drain camera on a short accessible line is cheap, while a long run, a hillside lot, a cleanout buried under landscaping or a house with several bathrooms takes longer. Bundled checks, such as pressure, shutoffs and a camera in one visit, usually cost less than booking each separately.
Other factors:
- Pipe material. Old cast iron or clay drains in postwar Valley homes can need cleaning before a camera passes through, which adds time.
- A written report. Some inspections include photos or video and a written summary. That is worth having if you are buying a house.
- The reason for the inspection. A pre-purchase check, a leak hunt and a yearly test are different jobs with different prices.
- A follow-up repair. Detection fees are frequently deducted from the repair bill when the same plumber continues.
How do you compare quotes for a plumber inspection?
Ask each plumber for the same four things in writing: what will be inspected, what is delivered afterward (video, photos, a report), whether the fee counts against repairs, and who obtains any permit. Then compare like with like. A low price for one drain line is not comparable to a whole-house check.
Check the contractor before you book. Compare any ad's license, bond and insurance claims with the state license board's public record. CSLB also says a down payment may not exceed the lesser of $1,000 and 10 percent of the contract. If a plumber offers comprehensive plumbing inspections, ask for the checklist in advance, since there is no standard definition. Work an inspection turns up, such as gas lines or swapping out a water heater, is reserved by law for contractors with a California license, and it generally needs a permit. Our page on water leak detection explains how the leak side of inspection works.
When is a plumbing permit required?
A permit is generally required for new piping, repiping, water heater replacement, gas line work and moving fixtures, and generally not for small repairs such as a faucet or a trap. The building department that covers your address decides. For Burbank it is the city's Building Division, and for Valley neighborhoods within Los Angeles it is LADBS.
The inspection itself does not need a permit. The work it finds might. LADBS says some simple projects skip plan review and can be permitted through PermitLA under its express permit list, and it publishes plumbing code information bulletins. For specifics, dial 3-1-1 inside Los Angeles city, or ask Burbank's Building Division. One common case is explained on the water heater permit page.
How does a plumbing permit application work, and can I get one online?
Most California building departments take a permit application with a description of the work, the address and the contractor's license number, then inspect the work when it is done. LADBS offers PermitLA for online permits. Burbank and other cities each run their own portals, so use the one for your address, not the first search result.
Searches for plumbing permits in Waukesha, Brookfield, San Francisco, Colorado's DORA and other places lead to those jurisdictions, whose forms, fees and rules do not apply in Burbank. A permit fee is set by your local building department's published schedule, so ask for the current amount instead of relying on a number from another city.
How long is a plumbing permit good for, and can a homeowner pull one?
The period is set by the issuing department, and permits generally lapse if work stalls and no inspection happens. Ask the building department how long yours lasts when you apply, and request an extension before it lapses. Homeowner permits vary by city and by type of work, so ask whether yours is allowed.
In practice, gas piping, a water heater and a repipe usually go to a plumber, who takes out the permit under the license. That way the inspection and sign-off sit with the person who did the work.
Questions people ask
What does a plumber camera inspection cost?
Published guides put a drain or sewer camera inspection at about $150 to $400. A short, accessible line sits near the low end, and a long or hard-to-reach one near the high end. Ask whether you get video and a written summary, and whether the fee is applied to a repair should the camera find trouble.
How much does backflow testing cost?
Published tester prices run about $25 to $179 per assembly, and the test usually includes filing the result with Burbank Water and Power. Repairs and parts are extra. Our page on backflow device testing cost covers what is bundled, and backflow prevention testing covers the process.
How much time does a plumber inspection take?
A drain camera inspection or backflow test is often under an hour. A whole-house check takes longer, depending on the house. Ask for an estimate of the visit time when you book, and whether you must stay for all of it.
Which questions come first when choosing an inspector?
Request the license number, the written scope, the deliverables and how the fee is handled if repairs follow. Look up the license on CSLB. If a plumber recommends repairs, ask for a separate written quote so you can compare. A quote is not an obligation to book.
Should I be home for the inspection?
Typically yes. Access to the shutoff, cleanouts, fixtures and water heater is needed, and the findings are best heard from the plumber in person. If you cannot be there, arrange access in advance. For a pre-purchase inspection, ask whether a buyer's agent can let the plumber in.
Want someone out? Send a quote request. Or return to the home page.
References
- Pipe repair cost guide, camera inspection and slab leak detection ranges, 2026
- Slab leak repair cost guide, detection range, updated March 2026
- Published backflow tester prices, $25 to $179 per assembly, checked October 2026
- Burbank Water and Power, Cross Connection Control
- Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety: express permits, plumbing code bulletins, PermitLA
- California Contractors State License Board
Updated