A sewer scope report should give a Calgary buyer five things: the complete video with a distance counter, a written list of observations with distances and stills, the pipe material and where it changes, surface marks and depths for defects worth pricing, and a clear statement of where the camera stopped and why. Ask for each in writing when you book, so there are no surprises after the visit.
- Agree the deliverables when you book; asking afterward, with the deadline days away, rarely works.
- The video is the evidence and the written report is the summary; a buyer needs both.
- Every observation should have a distance from a stated zero point.
- A report that does not say where the camera stopped has not told you what it missed.
- Keep observations and repair recommendations separate, especially when the provider also sells repairs.
01 /Why does the report matter more than the visit?
The report matters more than the visit because it is the only part of the scope that leaves the property. The operator may explain everything clearly on site, but the seller's agent, the contractor quoting the repair and the buyer's lawyer were not there. They will judge the finding from the video and the written summary, often on the last day or two of the condition period.
A strong report lets someone who never saw the pipe understand what is wrong, where it is and how sure the operator is. A weak one forces a second visit, a verbal argument, or a decision made on a guess. The difference is usually settled at booking, when you ask for specific deliverables.
02 /What should the buyer ask for when booking?
Ask for the deliverables in writing, in the same message as the address and deadline. A provider who cannot commit to them before the visit is unlikely to produce them after.
| Deliverable | What to ask for | Why the buyer needs it |
|---|---|---|
| Complete video | Unedited, entry point to the main or the stopping point, with the counter visible | A second contractor or the seller's side can check the same footage |
| Delivery time | Video and report by a stated date and time | Must land at least two business days before the deadline |
| Observation list | Each item with its distance, a still image and a plain description | Lets a lawyer or seller follow the finding without the video |
| Zero point | Where the counter was set to zero | Makes distances comparable between visits and contractors |
| Material | Material at the start, and any change with its distance | Material drives the repair options and the risk |
| Surface marks | Paint or flag and an estimated depth at each defect worth pricing | What a contractor needs to quote |
| Stopping point | Distance and reason if the camera did not reach the main | Tells you what is still unknown |
| City or private opinion | Operator's view, clearly labelled as an opinion | Starting point for checking against the RPR |
03 /What should the video show?
The video should show the whole accessible run in one continuous recording, with the distance on screen and the camera moving slowly enough to see joints. A highlight clip of the worst defect is useful for sharing, but it is not the record; the full run is what shows the defect in context and proves nothing else was skipped.
- Continuous, not stitched. Gaps in the counter or jumps in the picture are worth asking about.
- Level and lit. A self-levelling head keeps sags and offsets readable; a dim or fogged picture should be noted in the report.
- Pauses at findings. The operator should stop at each observation long enough to see it clearly.
- Audio optional. Commentary helps, but the written report should stand on its own.
- A usable file. A common format and a download link or file you keep, not a streaming link that may expire.
04 /What should the written observations include?
Each written observation should say what was seen, where, and how confident the operator is, without mixing in the repair pitch. A good line reads something like: roots entering at a joint, about a quarter of the pipe area, 11.2 metres from the cleanout, still image 4. A weak one reads: roots, recommend replacement.
Some providers code observations using standardized defect codes and grades. That can be helpful, but a buyer's report still needs plain language for the people who will act on it. For how codes and grades work, SewerInspector.ca covers the national systems in depth; this site stays with what a Calgary buyer does with the result.
05 /What does it mean if the camera did not reach the main?
It means part of the line is still unknown, and the report should say so plainly. Cameras stop at blockages, collapses, sharp bends, heavy water or the end of the cable. The stopping distance and the reason belong at the top of the report, not buried in the notes, because a buyer reading "no significant defects observed" needs to know whether that covers 9 metres or the whole 22.
If the run is incomplete, ask what would finish it: clearing the line and re-scoping, entering from a second access point, or a return visit with different equipment. If that cannot fit before the deadline, raise an extension with your Realtor early. The illustrative case studies include an example of exactly this.
06 /Which report problems should a buyer catch early?
| Problem | Why it matters | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Only a short clip, no full video | Nobody can check what was skipped | The complete recording |
| No distances in the written report | Defects cannot be located or quoted | A revised list with distances |
| No surface marks on a significant defect | Cannot tell lawn from driveway or City side | A return visit to locate, before the deadline |
| Stopping point missing | Unknown portion looks like a clean result | A statement of how far the camera went and why it stopped |
| Repair quote replaces the observations | Evidence and sales mixed together | Observations separately; get an independent quote |
| Material not stated | Repair options and risk unclear | The operator's identification, with a still |
07 /How should the report be shared and stored?
Share the report deliberately. The buyer who paid for it owns the decision to share it, usually with their Realtor first, then a contractor for a quote, then the listing side if it supports a request. Send the full video with the written report so nobody negotiates from a still image alone.
Rename the files with the address and date as soon as they arrive. Scope reports often come with generic names, and a buyer juggling several offers can easily confuse two properties' footage in the middle of a negotiation.
After closing, keep both files with the house records. A baseline video is valuable the next time a drain slows, when planning a renovation over the line, or when selling. For the full sequence from booking to decision, see sewer scope for home buyers and after a bad sewer scope. When you are ready to book, list these deliverables in your scope request.
FAQQuestions people ask
Should a buyer get the sewer scope video or just the written report?
Both. The written report summarizes; the full video is the evidence a contractor, the seller's side or a second opinion can check.
What is the zero point on a sewer scope report?
The place where the distance counter was set to zero, usually the cleanout or toilet flange. Distances only make sense once you know where they were measured from.
Why would a report say no defects if the line has problems?
Sometimes the camera did not reach the problem, or water or debris hid it. Check the stopping point and any notes about limited visibility.
Is it a problem if the scope provider also quotes the repair?
Not necessarily, but keep the observations separate from the quote and consider a second, independent quote for large repairs.
How long should a buyer keep a sewer scope report?
For as long as they own the house. It is a baseline for future problems, renovations and an eventual sale.
NETWORKGo deeper across the HAUSE Sewer network
What a good sewer inspection report contains
What a sewer inspection report should include: full video, distances, locate and depth marks, a line map and clear limits. A checklist to judge any report.
SewerQuotes.comSewer camera inspection cost, and what the fee should include
Sewer camera inspection cost in Canada for 2026: standalone, pre-purchase and add-on scope prices in CAD, what a proper report includes and when the fee is wasted.
SewerCleaners.caHow to hire a sewer cleaner: the checklist, the questions and the paperwork
How to hire a sewer cleaner in Canada: questions to ask, insurance and WCB coverage in Alberta, a written scope template, red flags, and how to compare quotes.
