Drain and sewer repair contractor
Repair and replace damaged drains and sewer lines for homeowners, landlords and small businesses.
- $10k-50k
- Full-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
What it is
A licensed contractor business that diagnoses drain problems with cameras, then repairs, relines or replaces drain and sewer pipes, including some digging and French drain work.
Your first three steps
- Check your state's contractor or plumbing license requirements and what experience or exams are needed
- Get quotes for general liability, commercial auto and a small excavation or camera equipment package, or plan to rent heavy kit
- Build relationships with plumbers, realtors and home inspectors who can send you repair work
Who pays
Homeowners facing recurring backups or collapsed lines, landlords, property managers, and small commercial owners.
How it makes money
Quoted price per project, often from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, plus camera inspection fees and repeat work from referrals.
Skills that help
- Plumbing or excavation experience
- Estimating and quoting jobs
- Reading site conditions and drainage layouts
- Managing permits and inspections
Watch out for
- State or local contractor and plumbing licensing, which is often required for sewer work
- Permits and inspections for sewer line repairs, check with your city or county
- Call 811 before any digging to locate buried utilities
- General liability, workers' compensation once you hire, and bonding where required
- Larger jobs can have costly mistakes, so quote carefully
- Cash flow on bigger projects, since materials are paid upfront
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: drain and sewer repair contractor
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a sewer repair business?
Startup costs are typically around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on your equipment, vehicle and the work you take on. These are estimates. Materials for larger jobs are paid upfront, so plan your cash flow.
How much can a drain and sewer repair contractor earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how many repair jobs you win and their size. These are estimates, and larger jobs can bring costly mistakes, so quote carefully.
What licenses and permits should I check for sewer repair work?
Check state or local contractor and plumbing licensing, which is often required for sewer work, and ask your city or county about permits and inspections. Call 811 before any digging, and check insurance, workers' compensation and bonding.
Other ways to run this business
Similar trades ideas
Custom gates, railings and metal frames shop
Make and install gates, railings and steel frames for homeowners and builders from a small rented shop.
- $12k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Seamless gutter installation business
Form and install custom seamless aluminum gutters on homes and small commercial buildings.
- $12k-50k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Aluminum fabrication workshop
Rent a small unit and build custom aluminum parts for local builders, makers and manufacturers.
- $10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Hands-on custom builder, small crew
Build one or two custom homes a year yourself, doing the carpentry with a small crew and a few trusted trades.
- $10k-50k
- Full-time
- Out and about
Leather and shoe repair shop
Open a small shop repairing bags, jackets and shoes for walk-in customers and local partners.
- $10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Tool repair and sharpening shop
Run a small shop unit that repairs, services and sharpens tools for contractors and homeowners.
- $10k-50k
- Full-time
- Own premises