Getting three quotes for drain work and finding they differ wildly is common — and the difference is usually in the scope, not just the margin.
Legitimate reasons quotes differ:
- Different methods. One company quotes a patch repair, another a full reline, a third an excavation. These are genuinely different jobs with different lifespans — a cheaper quote for a lesser method is not automatically better or worse; it is a different decision.
- What is included. Pre-work camera inspection, post-work verification footage, warranty terms, restoration of dug areas, waste disposal — some quotes include these, some treat them as extras.
- Equipment and expertise. Specialised relining or jetting equipment costs more to run than a basic drain machine, and the results differ accordingly.
- Honest scoping. Some quotes assume best case and grow with "unforeseen" extras; others price the realistic scope upfront.
How to compare properly:
- Ask each company to specify the method, the exact section being treated, and what evidence they will provide before and after.
- Ask what happens — and what it costs — if the assumed scope turns out to be wrong.
- Be cautious of any structural repair quoted without camera footage. A recommendation without evidence is a guess, and occasionally a sales tactic.
- Check warranty terms in writing, including who honours them and for how long.
If you want a starting point before talking to anyone, our Instant Estimate tool gives you a range for your situation so you can recognise both lowballing and gouging when you see them.