How much does it cost to unclog a drain in Boston, MA?
Clearing a simple drain clog in Boston, MA typically costs $150–$350; a main sewer line cleanout runs $300–$600, more if a camera inspection finds roots or a broken line. Be wary of $49–$99 'drain specials' — they often exist to sell a camera inspection and a much bigger job once the tech is inside.
Likely causes
- Grease and hair buildup — The everyday clog — builds slowly until the drain stops.
- Tree roots in the main line — If multiple drains back up at once, suspect the main line, not the fixture.
- Collapsed or offset pipe — Older clay or cast-iron lines crack and catch debris — cleaning helps temporarily, repair is the fix.
What you can check yourself
- One slow drain = local clog: try a drain snake (not chemical cleaner) first.
- Every drain slow + gurgling = main line: skip DIY and call.
- Ask whether the quote includes the camera inspection or if that's an add-on.
Typical cost
Typical in Boston, MA: single drain $150–$350; main line $300–$600; camera inspection $250–$500 (sometimes credited toward repair).
When to call a pro
Sewage smell, water backing up into a tub or floor drain, or the same clog returning within a month — that's a main-line problem, not a fixture problem.
Plumber pros in Boston, MA
- Plumbing Prime · 60 State St Ste 700, Boston, MA · (857) 366-4230
- Beacon Hill Plumbing & Heating · 56 Myrtle St, Boston, MA · 6177233296
- 24 HR Emergency Plumber Boston · 98 N Washington St #332, Boston, MA · (617) 683-1871
- Best Plumbers club · service area, Boston, MA · (877) 910-5119
- Primetime Boston Plumbers · 127 Tremont St, Boston, MA · +16179368955
- Kross Plumbing · 1 Washington Mall Ste 1083, Boston, MA · 18573995033
- T Flow Plumbing Repair · 607 Boylston St, Boston, MA · +16178181229
- Next Step Removal & Installs · 457 Cambridge St, Cambridge, MA · +16176378387
Get free quotes from Boston, MA pros →
Data by Servik — verified local pros from official license records and public sources. Cost figures are typical ranges, not quotes; a pro's written estimate is the real number.