Okay, Little Rock plumbing people, I need some honest numbers. Our 1950s house off Kavanaugh in Hillcrest has been making the tub gurgle every time the washing machine drains, and as of this afternoon the lowest toilet is doing a slow burp thing that I am not okay with. Pretty sure it's the main line. We have two giant oaks in the front yard that I love dearly and that are almost certainly eating my sewer pipe.
I called three places today and got three completely different stories. One quoted $95 just to show up, then "we'll see" on the rest. One said $350 to snake it, but that was before they told me the real fix is a camera inspection first (another $250) so they can "properly assess the situation." The third, a guy who clearly just wanted to get off the phone, said probably $175-200 during regular hours but a Saturday night would be double. So what's a normal number? I'm not looking for the cheapest guy in the Rock, I just want to pay a fair price for what is basically a few hours of a cable and a grumpy man in my front yard.
Here's what I'm really after. I'm not against a camera. If someone snakes it and it clogs again in three weeks, sure, look at the pipe. But I don't want to be told on the first visit that my line is "compromised" and I need $8,000 of trenching through the yard I just paid to have the sod redone in. I've heard that story from at least two neighbors and I'm skeptical by default. Is there a plumber here who will snake it, tell you what they actually saw, and leave it at that?
Also, if anybody knows where my responsibility ends and the city's begins, I'd love a plain-English explanation. My understanding is the lateral from the house to the main is on me, but I've also heard conflicting things, and I'd rather know before I start paying someone.
I'll buy coffee at my usual place for whoever gives me a name that works out. That's the highest offer I have.