Drain Cleaning Cost (2026): Snaking, Hydro Jetting and Main Line Pricing

Drain cleaning is priced by which line is blocked, whether there is a proper cleanout to work from, and the method the blockage requires — a hand or drum auger for a fixture, a large cable machine or hydro jetter for a main.

What does drain cleaning cost?

• Sink, tub, or shower branch line through an accessible cleanout or trap: $100–$250
• Toilet auger or pull-and-reset: $150–$350
• Main sewer line through an exterior cleanout: $200–$500
• Main line with no cleanout (pulling a toilet or roof vent access): $350–$700
• Hydro jetting a main or grease-laden line: $400–$900
• Camera inspection: $150–$400, often credited toward a repair

What drives the price?

Access is the biggest factor. A ground-level, two-way cleanout is fast. No cleanout means roof work or pulling a fixture, which doubles the labor. The type of stoppage matters too — soft blockages clear with a cable; grease, scale, and root intrusion need jetting or a repair.

When should the estimate recommend a camera?

Repeat backups, a main line that cables open but re-clogs within weeks, gurgling across multiple fixtures, or an old clay or cast-iron sewer. The camera turns a guessing game into a scoped repair quote — recommend it after the second visit, not the first.

How do you set customer expectations in the quote?

State that drain cleaning restores flow but does not repair a damaged pipe, that a line which will not clear may need excavation or lining, and whether your price includes a warranty window on that specific line. Roots and structural defects are repair quotes, not cleaning quotes.

Example: main line backup with camera inspection

Line item	How it's priced	Example
Clear main line from exterior cleanout	Flat rate	$325
Camera inspection after clearing	Flat rate	$250
After-hours premium (evening call)	Flat	$150
Total		$725

Illustrative numbers only. Use your own rates, production times and local costs.

If the camera shows roots or a broken section, the next quote is a repair: spot repair, lining or replacement. See sewer line replacement cost.

Build a drain cleaning price list

Drain work suits flat-rate pricing because customers want a number before you start. A simple price list might include:

• Bathroom sink, tub or shower drain
• Kitchen sink drain
• Toilet clog
• Main line from an accessible cleanout
• Main line without a cleanout
• Hydro jetting
• Camera inspection
• After-hours and weekend premium

See plumber price list and flat rate vs time and materials.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to snake a drain?

A fixture or branch drain commonly costs about $100 to $250 when it's accessible. Main lines cost more, especially without a cleanout.

Is hydro jetting better than snaking?

Snaking opens a path through a clog. Hydro jetting scours the pipe walls, which helps with grease, scale and roots. It costs more and may not suit fragile pipes, so a camera inspection is often recommended first.

Why does my drain keep clogging after cleaning?

Repeat clogs often mean a deeper problem like roots, a belly in the line or a damaged pipe. A camera inspection identifies the cause.