Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions apply to all services performed by MI Sewer Scopers, LLC, including sewer scope inspections, sewer camera/video inspections, sewer line locating, thermal imaging, fog testing, visual/diagnostic reporting, and related services.
By scheduling, approving, accepting, paying for, electronically approving, signing an estimate, or allowing services to be performed, the customer acknowledges that they have read, understand, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.
01Scope of Services
MI Sewer Scopers provides visual and diagnostic inspection services only.
Services may include, but are not limited to:
- Sewer scope inspections
- Sewer camera/video inspections
- Sewer line locating
- Thermal imaging
- Fog testing
- Inspection summaries
- Photo documentation
- Video documentation
- Visual/diagnostic reporting
MI Sewer Scopers does not perform plumbing repairs, drain cleaning, sewer cleaning, jetting, excavation, pipe replacement, sewer repair, construction, restoration, remediation, or code compliance work.
If defects, blockages, root intrusion, offsets, bellies, cracks, deterioration, Orangeburg pipe, cast iron deterioration, improper transitions, or other concerns are observed, the customer should consult a licensed plumber, sewer repair contractor, or other qualified professional.
02Inspection-Only Service
All services performed by MI Sewer Scopers are based on visible and accessible conditions at the time of inspection.
The inspection is limited to the accessible portions of the system that can reasonably be observed through the available access point and with the equipment used.
MI Sewer Scopers does not guarantee that every defect, blockage, crack, leak, root intrusion, offset, belly, pipe material, prior repair, or concealed condition will be discovered.
Sewer and drain conditions can change over time due to use, weather, root growth, ground movement, deterioration, blockages, foreign objects, grease, wipes, soil conditions, prior repairs, or other conditions outside the scope of the inspection.
03No Warranty, Certification, or Guarantee
MI Sewer Scopers does not warrant, certify, or guarantee:
- The future performance of any sewer or drain line
- That a sewer line is free from defects
- That a sewer line will not back up, clog, collapse, leak, shift, deteriorate, or fail
- That the system complies with plumbing codes, municipal requirements, property transfer requirements, or lender requirements
- That all defects or conditions have been identified
- That findings will remain unchanged after the inspection date
Any statement made by MI Sewer Scopers is limited to visible and accessible conditions observed at the time of service.
04Access Requirements
The customer is responsible for providing safe, clear, and reasonable access to the inspection area and any necessary cleanout, drain, sewer access point, utility area, basement, crawlspace, exterior area, or other service location.
Standard pricing assumes an accessible cleanout or approved access point.
Additional charges may apply for:
- Crawlspace access
- Roof vent access
- Difficult access
- Unsafe or restricted access
- Multiple access points
- Additional time
- Non-standard access
- Moving items or clearing the work area
- Return trips
- Reinspection
- Commercial or unusual site conditions
MI Sewer Scopers may decline, stop, or limit an inspection if access is unsafe, restricted, inaccessible, or unsuitable for the equipment being used.
05Customer Responsibilities
The customer agrees to:
- Provide accurate property and contact information
- Disclose known plumbing, sewer, drainage, backup, or access issues
- Identify any known cleanout or access point when possible
- Provide access to the property at the scheduled time
- Secure pets and keep children away from the work area
- Remove or protect personal property near the work area
- Provide access to utilities when needed
- Notify MI Sewer Scopers of any special site conditions before arrival
- Ensure all necessary decision-makers are available when needed
MI Sewer Scopers is not responsible for damage to personal items left in or around the immediate work area.
06Payment Terms
Payment is due upon completion of the service unless otherwise agreed to in writing.
Reports, photos, videos, summaries, or inspection documentation may be withheld until payment has been received.
Failure to pay may result in additional collection-related costs, including reasonable collection costs, attorney fees, court costs, and other expenses incurred to collect the unpaid balance, to the extent permitted by law.
07Cancellation, Rescheduling, and No-Show Policy
Appointments should be canceled or rescheduled with reasonable notice.
MI Sewer Scopers may charge a cancellation, no-show, or trip fee if:
- The customer cancels with insufficient notice
- The customer fails to provide access
- The property is inaccessible
- The cleanout or access point is unavailable
- Unsafe conditions prevent the inspection
- Required parties are not present when needed
- The appointment must be rescheduled due to customer-side issues
Rescheduling is not considered cancellation when reasonable notice is provided and MI Sewer Scopers is able to accommodate the new appointment.
08Additional Services and Fees
The quoted price includes only the services specifically agreed upon.
Additional services, access issues, difficult conditions, additional time, or additional inspection areas may result in additional charges.
Examples of additional services or charges may include:
- Line locating
- Thermal imaging
- Fog testing
- Additional access points
- Additional time
- Crawlspace access
- Roof vent access
- Commercial inspections
- Reinspection
- Return trip
- Difficult or unsafe access
- Non-standard reporting requests
MI Sewer Scopers will communicate additional charges whenever practical before proceeding.
09Sewer Scope Inspection Limitations
Sewer scope inspections are limited by the access point used, equipment limitations, pipe conditions, water level, debris, grease, roots, bends, offsets, collapses, blockages, visibility, and other site-specific conditions.
The inspection may be limited or incomplete if:
- No accessible cleanout is available
- The camera cannot safely advance
- Standing water limits visibility
- Heavy roots obstruct the line
- Debris, sludge, or grease limits visibility
- A blockage prevents further inspection
- Pipe damage creates a risk of equipment becoming stuck
- Multiple bends or transitions restrict camera movement
- Unsafe or unsanitary conditions are present
MI Sewer Scopers is not responsible for conditions that could not be observed due to limited visibility, restricted access, obstruction, or other limitations.
10Camera Equipment Risk, Retrieval, and Release of Liability
The customer acknowledges and accepts that sewer and drain camera inspections carry the risk that inspection equipment may become stuck, lodged, trapped, damaged, or unrecoverable inside the sewer or drain line.
This risk is increased in sewer or drain lines that contain root intrusion, collapsed pipe, broken pipe, offset joints, standing water, heavy buildup, grease, sludge, foreign objects, Orangeburg pipe, deteriorated cast iron, crushed pipe, improper fittings, prior repairs, multiple bends, or other hidden, concealed, deteriorated, obstructed, or pre-existing conditions.
MI Sewer Scopers will use reasonable care in performing the inspection; however, the customer agrees that MI Sewer Scopers is not liable for inspection equipment becoming stuck, lodged, trapped, damaged, or unrecoverable due to existing pipe conditions, concealed defects, obstruction, deterioration, collapse, root intrusion, offsets, or other conditions outside MI Sewer Scopers’ control.
If equipment becomes stuck, MI Sewer Scopers may attempt reasonable retrieval when it can be done safely and without causing unreasonable risk of further damage. MI Sewer Scopers is not obligated to perform drain cleaning, plumbing repairs, excavation, demolition, pipe removal, pipe replacement, restoration, or any other corrective work to retrieve equipment.
If a licensed plumber, sewer contractor, excavation contractor, or other third party is needed to retrieve equipment, expose the pipe, remove an obstruction, repair the line, replace piping, access the sewer line, excavate, or restore the property, the customer shall be solely responsible for selecting, hiring, coordinating, and paying that contractor.
The customer releases and holds harmless MI Sewer Scopers from any liability, cost, claim, damage, delay, repair expense, replacement expense, loss of use, sewer backup, water damage, restoration cost, consequential damage, or other expense arising out of or related to inspection equipment becoming stuck, lodged, trapped, damaged, abandoned, cut, or left in the sewer or drain line due to existing, hidden, concealed, deteriorated, obstructed, or defective pipe conditions.
If MI Sewer Scopers’ equipment must be left in place, cut, abandoned, or retrieved at a later time due to unsafe conditions or inability to safely remove it without excavation, demolition, pipe access, pipe repair, or other corrective work, the customer agrees that MI Sewer Scopers shall not be responsible for removal, repair, restoration, excavation, contractor charges, property damage, or any related costs, except where liability cannot be waived under applicable law.
The customer further acknowledges that inspection equipment becoming stuck, lodged, trapped, damaged, or unrecoverable is not, by itself, evidence of negligence, improper inspection, defective equipment, or liability by MI Sewer Scopers.
11Line Locating Limitations
Line locating is an approximate diagnostic service.
Depth, location, and path markings may be affected by soil conditions, signal interference, pipe material, equipment limitations, depth, access point, utility congestion, nearby metallic objects, concrete, obstructions, or other site conditions.
Line locating performed by MI Sewer Scopers should not be treated as a replacement for utility marking, Miss Dig, excavation planning, engineering, surveying, or municipal utility confirmation.
The customer remains responsible for verifying utilities and obtaining appropriate utility markings before digging, excavation, construction, or repair work.
12Thermal Imaging Limitations
Thermal imaging is a visual/diagnostic tool used to identify temperature anomalies.
Thermal imaging does not see through walls, floors, ceilings, cabinets, concrete, soil, or other materials. It does not confirm the presence or absence of moisture, leaks, mold, insulation defects, electrical defects, or hidden damage without further evaluation.
Any thermal imaging observations should be further evaluated by an appropriate licensed or qualified professional when concerns are identified.
13Fog Testing Limitations
Fog testing is a diagnostic service used to help identify possible sewer odor sources, venting issues, leaks, openings, or pathways where visible fog may escape.
Fog testing does not guarantee that all leaks, odor sources, venting issues, cracks, defects, or openings will be identified.
Results may be affected by system configuration, access limitations, active water use, traps, blocked vents, weather, pressure, property conditions, concealed areas, or other limitations.
Further evaluation by a licensed plumber or qualified contractor may be recommended.
14Findings and Recommendations
Any recommendations provided by MI Sewer Scopers are based on visible and accessible conditions observed at the time of service.
Recommended next steps may include:
- Monitor or routine maintenance
- Further evaluation by a licensed plumber or sewer contractor
- Drain cleaning by a qualified professional
- Repair estimate by a licensed contractor
- Reinspection after cleaning, repair, or access correction
MI Sewer Scopers does not determine final repair methods, repair costs, code compliance, municipal requirements, or whether a sewer line must be repaired or replaced.
15Reports, Photos, and Video Documentation
MI Sewer Scopers may provide photos, videos, written summaries, inspection notes, or other documentation at its discretion based on the service performed.
Reports and documentation are intended for the customer’s use and understanding of visible and accessible conditions observed at the time of inspection.
Videos, screenshots, and photos may not capture every condition or limitation observed during the inspection.
The customer is responsible for reviewing all documentation and asking any questions within a reasonable time after delivery.
16Photo and Video Authorization
The customer authorizes MI Sewer Scopers to photograph and/or video record the inspection area, equipment setup, access point, sewer line, drain line, thermal imaging, fog testing, and related conditions for documentation, quality control, insurance, training, reporting, and business records.
MI Sewer Scopers may use non-confidential and non-identifying photos or videos for educational or marketing purposes, provided that private personal information, client names, addresses, lockbox codes, paperwork, and other sensitive identifying details are not intentionally disclosed without permission.
17Safety and Right to Refuse or Stop Service
MI Sewer Scopers reserves the right to refuse, stop, limit, or reschedule service if unsafe, hazardous, unsanitary, or unsuitable conditions are encountered.
This may include, but is not limited to:
- Unsafe access
- Active sewage backup
- Hazardous materials
- Structural instability
- Confined or unsafe areas
- Aggressive animals
- Threats or unsafe behavior
- Electrical hazards
- Standing water or contaminated conditions
- Risk of equipment damage or becoming stuck
- Any condition MI Sewer Scopers determines to be unsafe or unreasonable
The customer remains responsible for services performed, time incurred, and any applicable fees up to the point service is stopped.
18Damage and Pre-Existing Conditions
MI Sewer Scopers is not responsible for pre-existing conditions, hidden damage, deteriorated piping, defective cleanouts, damaged caps, stripped threads, brittle pipes, prior improper repairs, collapsed piping, root intrusion, blockages, backups, sewer odors, leaks, mold, hazardous substances, or other conditions existing before the inspection.
The customer acknowledges that opening cleanouts, removing caps, accessing older piping, or inserting inspection equipment into sewer or drain lines can involve risk, especially where materials are deteriorated, corroded, improperly installed, obstructed, or damaged.
19Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, MI Sewer Scopers’ liability for any claim arising from services provided shall be limited to the amount paid by the customer for the specific service giving rise to the claim.
MI Sewer Scopers shall not be liable for incidental, indirect, special, consequential, punitive, exemplary, or lost-profit damages, including but not limited to loss of use, business interruption, loss of sale, loss of value, delayed closing, failed transaction, repair costs, replacement costs, water damage, sewage backup, mold, personal property damage, excavation costs, retrieval costs, restoration costs, contractor charges, or other secondary damages.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall limit liability where prohibited by applicable law.
20No Third-Party Reliance
Reports, videos, photos, summaries, and inspection findings are prepared for the customer identified for the service.
No third party may rely on the inspection report or findings without written permission from MI Sewer Scopers.
MI Sewer Scopers is not responsible for the use, misuse, forwarding, interpretation, or reliance on reports or documentation by third parties, including buyers, sellers, agents, lenders, contractors, insurers, municipalities, or future property owners.
21Insurance Claims
MI Sewer Scopers may provide documentation that a customer may choose to submit to an insurance company, contractor, plumber, property manager, buyer, seller, or real estate professional.
MI Sewer Scopers does not guarantee insurance coverage, claim approval, reimbursement, payment, repair approval, or acceptance of findings by any third party.
The customer remains responsible for payment of MI Sewer Scopers’ services regardless of any insurance claim, real estate negotiation, reimbursement, or third-party payment.
22Credit Card and Payment Processing Fees
Where permitted by law and applicable card network/payment processor rules, invoices paid by credit card may be subject to a processing fee or surcharge.
Any applicable fee will be disclosed before payment is processed when required.
Alternative payment methods, including cash, check, ACH, debit card, or other approved payment methods, may be available to avoid credit card processing fees.
23Collection Costs and Attorney Fees
If collection efforts become necessary, the customer agrees to pay all reasonable collection costs, attorney fees, court costs, and related expenses incurred by MI Sewer Scopers in collecting any unpaid balance, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
24Pricing Subject to Change
Pricing is based on the service requested, access conditions, property type, location, time required, equipment required, and information available at the time of scheduling or quoting.
Pricing may be adjusted for additional services, difficult access, additional time, non-standard access, commercial conditions, return trips, or other circumstances not disclosed or known at the time of scheduling.
Any material pricing adjustment will be communicated whenever practical before proceeding.
25Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan.
26Acceptance
By signing, electronically approving, booking, scheduling, authorizing service, paying an invoice, or allowing MI Sewer Scopers to perform services, the customer acknowledges that they have read, understand, and agree to these Terms and Conditions.