Meet Steven Shipler: Founder & CEO of The Sewer Inspection Company
Written by Steven Shipler, Texas Licensed Master Plumber, Responsible Master Plumber (RMP), MBA, Founder & CEO of The Sewer Inspection Company.
People often ask me how a former CPA and auditor ended up becoming a licensed Master Plumber and the founder of a sewer inspection company.
The answer starts in Kalispell, Montana.
My father was a Master Mechanic and Plumber. I grew up watching him solve problems, work with his hands, and keep his word. Those lessons shaped my entire career.
Growing Up in Montana
I grew up in Kalispell, Montana, near the beautiful Flathead Valley. Montana teaches you certain values early in life: work hard, be honest, do what you say you will do, and treat people fairly.
My father worked in the trades and was respected because people knew they could trust him. If he told someone he would do something, it got done.
That simple principle has stayed with me my entire life.
From Montana to the University of Colorado
After high school, I attended the University of Colorado in Boulder where I earned my degree and eventually became a Certified Public Accountant.
My professional career began in public accounting, where I worked for Deloitte International as an auditor.
Over the years, I learned how to evaluate businesses, identify problems, understand risk, and analyze situations based on facts rather than assumptions.
Those skills became incredibly valuable later in life when I entered the plumbing industry.
Following My Father’s Path
While I enjoyed my business career, I always had a deep respect for the skilled trades.
Eventually, I decided to follow my father’s example and pursue plumbing professionally.
I earned Master Plumber licenses and certifications while building experience in the field.
Today, I hold Master Plumber licenses in Texas, Colorado, and Montana.
I have spent years inspecting, diagnosing, repairing, and evaluating sewer and plumbing systems throughout Texas.
A sewer line doesn’t care about opinions. It only responds to facts. That’s why I built a company focused on video evidence, Master Plumber evaluations, and straightforward recommendations.
Why I Founded The Sewer Inspection Company
Most home buyers spend thousands of dollars on inspections before purchasing a property.
Yet one of the most expensive systems on the property is often never inspected—the underground sewer line.
I saw too many homeowners facing unexpected sewer repairs costing thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars after closing.
I believed there had to be a better way.
That belief became The Sewer Inspection Company.
Our mission is simple:
Know What’s Underground, Before You Buy.
Professional Sewer Camera Inspections • Narrated Video Reports • Master Plumber Reviews
The Montana Way
People often hear me say “The Montana Way.”
For me, that means honesty, transparency, and accountability.
If I provide an estimate, that estimate stands unless something significant changes.
I don’t believe in bait-and-switch pricing.
I don’t believe in creating fear.
I don’t believe in pressuring customers.
I believe in showing people the facts, explaining their options, and helping them make the best decision for their family and property.
What We Do Today
- Sewer Camera Inspections
- Home Buyer Sewer Inspections
- Master Plumber Sewer Reports
- Sewer Line Locating
- Under Slab Sewer Evaluations
- Cast Iron Sewer Assessments
- Drainage System Evaluations
- Narrated Video Sewer Reports
- Foundation Related Sewer Evaluations
- Real Estate Sewer Inspections
Watch Real Sewer Inspection Videos
Watch actual sewer inspections and narrated Master Plumber reviews from real homes throughout Dallas-Fort Worth.
Helpful Internal Links
- Ultimate Guide to Sewer Inspections
- What Can a Sewer Camera Inspection Find?
- Sewer Inspection Checklist
- Customer Reviews
- Contact Us
Schedule Your Sewer Inspection Today
Before buying a home, negotiating repairs, or approving expensive plumbing work, get the facts first.
Call Now: 972-333-5448Know What’s Underground, Before You Buy.
Schedule Online
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Steven Shipler? Founder and CEO of The Sewer Inspection Company and a Texas Licensed Master Plumber.
- Where did you grow up? Kalispell, Montana.
- What did your father do? He was a Master Mechanic and Plumber.
- Where did you attend college? The University of Colorado, Boulder.
- Were you a CPA? Yes, before entering the plumbing industry.
- Did you work for Deloitte? Yes, as an auditor.
- Why start The Sewer Inspection Company? To help homeowners understand underground sewer risks.
- What states are you licensed in? Texas, Colorado, and Montana.
- What is the Montana Way? Honesty, accountability, and keeping your word.
- What is your mission? Helping homeowners avoid costly surprises through professional sewer inspections.
Industry References
| # | Reference | Why It Matters | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | International Plumbing Code | Drainage Standards | IPC |
| 2 | Texas Plumbing License Law | Licensing Requirements | TPLL |
| 3 | TSBPE | State Regulation | TSBPE |
| 4 | NASSCO | Sewer Industry Practices | NASSCO |
| 5 | UPC | Drainage Standards | UPC |
| 6 | EPA Wastewater Guidance | Infrastructure Guidance | EPA |
| 7 | ASCE | Engineering Standards | ASCE |
| 8 | Building Sewer Standards | System Design | BSS |
| 9 | Drainage Design Practices | Gravity Flow Principles | DDP |
| 10 | Texas Administrative Code | Regulatory Compliance | TAC |