Quick answer
Get a camera inspection before you buy nearly any older Bend house and before you pay for a major sewer repair. Ask for the video and the footage to the problem. Then ask whether a spot repair or trenchless lining is possible, because digging through basalt is costly.
Companies to compare:Central Oregon Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Central Oregon, Rapid Rooter of Central Oregon, RBE Inc. Excavation & Septic, Renew Plumbing, Severson Plumbing, Sunset Plumbing.
Bend sewer line companies to compare
These plumbing and excavation companies advertise sewer, drain or camera work in the Bend area. They are listed alphabetically. Large replacements often need both a plumber and an excavator, so ask who does what.
Company details were reviewed in October and November 2026. License numbers are shown as the company publishes them or as they appeared in state records at that time. Services, staff and license status change, so confirm what matters directly and in writing.
Central Oregon Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
Based in: Bend, Redmond and Madras
License: CCB 93654
Phone: 541-227-6258
Services advertised: General plumbing with 24/7 emergency service, alongside HVAC and electrical
Potential fit: After-hours backups, or an existing customer who wants one company.
Ask about: Whether it owns a camera, and whether it subcontracts excavation.
Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Central Oregon
Based in: Bend (62890 Peerless Ct)
License: CCB 168903
Phone: 541-239-3826
Services advertised: Drain and sewer service, sewer repair and replacement, camera inspection and trenchless repair
Potential fit: A line that may be a candidate for trenchless repair, as long as the camera supports it.
Ask about: A copy of the video, and a side-by-side price for trenchless and open-trench repair.
Rapid Rooter of Central Oregon
Based in: Serves Bend, La Pine, Prineville, Sunriver, Sisters and Redmond
License: CCB 189469
Phone: 541-706-9123
Services advertised: Drain cleaning, hydro jetting, video inspections, leak detection and septic repair
Potential fit: A clog or root problem that may only need clearing, followed by a camera check.
Ask about: Whether you’ll receive the inspection video, and whether roots will return after jetting.
RBE Inc. Excavation & Septic
Based in: Bend
License: CCB 188908
Phone: 541-280-4191
Services advertised: Excavation and septic work, including utility trenching
Potential fit: The digging portion of a lateral replacement or septic-to-sewer connection, in rock or pumice.
Ask about: How it prices rock breaking, and who holds the plumbing permit and makes the final connection.
Renew Plumbing
Based in: Bend and Central Oregon
License: CCB 116029
Phone: 541-388-0800
Services advertised: Sewer repair and locating, leak detection, rooter service and drain replacement
Potential fit: Locating a buried line, or a repair where the exact location is unknown.
Ask about: Locating fees, and the depth and pipe material it found.
Severson Plumbing
Based in: Bend (63110 Nels Anderson Rd) and Redmond
License: CCB 63655
Phone: 541-631-0373
Services advertised: Camera and sewer line inspections, water heaters and emergency plumbing
Potential fit: A camera inspection and plumbing diagnosis from a family-run company operating since 1977.
Ask about: What the inspection costs on its own, and whether the fee applies toward repair.
Sunset Plumbing
Based in: Bend
License: CCB 69172
Phone: 541-382-0109
Services advertised: Residential and commercial plumbing
Potential fit: A long-established local plumber to compare against sewer specialists.
Ask about: Whether it does sewer camera work and line repair in house, and who digs.
Who owns the sewer line in Bend?
Bend’s sewer code treats building sewer laterals and stub-outs as private rather than part of the public sewer, and the City’s septic-to-sewer materials say the owner is responsible for work on private property. In other words, plan on the line from your house being yours to maintain.
Exactly where responsibility ends can vary by property. If a camera shows a problem near the main or under the street, call City of Bend Utilities at 541-317-3000 before anyone digs in the right-of-way. Your contractor should also call for utility locating before digging, and you can expect a plumbing permit for line replacement. Call the City’s permit line at 541-388-5580 with questions.
Why a sewer scope is worth it
A sewer scope sends a camera from a cleanout down the line, recording cracks, roots, sags, offsets and pipe materials. Scopes added to a home inspection commonly run about $150 to $350 in Bend. For buyers, that’s small insurance against a costly surprise, so book it within your inspection period. See our home inspection guide and home inspector guide.
When you get the results, keep the video file and write down the footage to any defect. A second opinion is much easier when another company can watch the same video.
Rock, roots and older pipe
- Basalt: much of Bend sits on lava rock. A trench that hits rock can need a hammer or saw cutting, and that’s the most common reason a quote grows.
- Tree roots: ponderosa and juniper roots find their way into older joints. Jetting can clear them, but they can come back if the joints stay open.
- Pipe age: older homes near downtown and on the older west side may have cast-iron or clay lines, while 1990s and newer homes usually have ABS or PVC.
- What’s above the pipe: driveways, patios and mature landscaping can all change the math between digging and trenchless. Make sure restoration is in the quote.
Repair options to discuss
- Clearing: cleaning or jetting a clog or roots. It’s the cheapest option but doesn’t fix broken pipe.
- Spot repair: digging and fixing one section. It makes sense for a single defect in otherwise sound pipe.
- Trenchless lining or bursting: this can limit digging but isn’t right for every line. Bad sags or collapses can rule it out, and your local rock can matter for bursting. Ask for the reasoning and warranty.
- Full replacement: makes sense when the whole line is failing, or when you’re already opening up the yard.
Be careful with “lead-gen” pages. Some websites advertising trenchless repair in Bend list no company name or license at all. Stick with a contractor you can verify. For septic conversions, see our septic services guide.
How to get comparable quotes
A sewer quote is only comparable when each bidder has seen the same defect. Share the video and ask for:
- The defect’s footage and depth
- Repair method and length of pipe
- Pipe material
- Rock pricing, ideally with a cap or allowance
- Utility locating, permits and inspections
- Restoration of the yard, driveway, irrigation and concrete
- Right-of-way work, if any
- Warranty, including the transfer terms
- How long you’ll be without working drains
Our contractor bid comparison checklist gives you a simple way to line those details up side by side.
Red flags
- A replacement quote with no video to back it up
- A refusal to give you the camera footage
- A bid silent on rock
- No mention of permits
- A company with no verifiable name or license
- Trenchless pitched without checking for sags or collapse
- No plan for restoring what the trench crosses
Common questions
Who is responsible for the sewer line in Bend?
Plan on the private lateral from your home being your responsibility. Where that responsibility ends can vary, so call City of Bend Utilities before work near the main or under the street.
How much is a sewer scope in Bend?
Scopes added to a home inspection commonly cost about $150 to $350. Prices vary by company and access, so confirm yours when booking and ask for the video.
Does a home inspection include a sewer scope?
Usually not. It is typically an add-on. Ask your inspector, or book a plumber with a sewer camera.
Is trenchless always cheaper in Bend?
Not always, though it can avoid expensive rock excavation and landscape damage. It depends on the condition of the line, access and what the camera shows. Ask for both prices if each is feasible.
Do I need a permit to replace a sewer line in Bend?
Plan on a plumbing permit, and confirm with the City of Bend’s building division. Your contractor should say in writing who pulls it and schedules inspections.
Official sources & further research
For rules, licensing and local programs, use the current primary source before making a decision.