Would you add a sewer scope for an older home in Berlin?

The general inspection is booked for an older 140 m² country home in Berlin, but it excludes the private sewer line. There are mature trees near the street, so root damage is on my mind.

A separate scope costs far less than the €42,320 estimate I received for full replacement. Is the scope a sensible extra even without warning signs, or am I overreacting to a worst-case quote? I want to understand the actual downside before committing, especially with moving costs and the first mortgage payment approaching.

Given the age, nearby trees and size of the potential bill, I would add it. The useful outcome is not merely “blocked or clear”; you want to know whether the camera can cover the relevant private section and whether any defects can be located. Ask what footage and written findings you receive, since a vague verbal opinion will not help much later.

Before using €42,320 as the comparison, what is that estimate based on? Was the line already inspected, or is it simply a price for complete replacement under difficult assumptions? Also establish which stretch belongs to the property and whether the scope can reach all of it. Otherwise you could pay for a reassuring look at only the easiest section.

I agree with doing the scope, but not with treating every imperfection as evidence that full replacement is imminent. Older pipes can produce findings that need context rather than an automatic worst-case response.

If anything appears, ask for the location, severity and possible repair options before renegotiating or walking away. Until the inspection picture is complete, I would also delay furniture spending and keep the emergency fund available for immediate repairs, the insurance excess and ordinary moving costs.