How Much Does a Drainage Survey Cost in 2026?
A CCTV drainage survey costs £100 to £300 for a domestic property. A full drainage investigation costs £300 to £600. A homebuyers drainage survey typically costs £150 to £350. If repairs are needed, they range from £80 for jetting to £10,000+ for a collapsed drain. Here is the full breakdown.
£100
CCTV survey from
£300–£600
Full investigation
£80
Repair from
1–2 hours
Survey time
Prices updated April 2026 · Based on industry data and contractor submissions.
CCTV Drainage Survey Cost: Full Price List
How much does a drainage survey cost? Prices depend on the type and scope of the survey. Here is what you can expect to pay for a CCTV drainage survey in the UK in 2026.
Basic CCTV drain survey
Camera inspection of main drain run, report
£175
£100 – £250
Full CCTV drain survey
All accessible drains, mapped report with video
£275
£200 – £350
Pre-purchase homebuyer drain survey
CCTV survey with formal report for solicitor / mortgage lender
£300
£200 – £400
Full drainage investigation
CCTV, dye testing, drain mapping, multiple access points
£450
£300 – £600
Drain jetting + survey combo
High-pressure jet clean followed by CCTV survey
£300
£200 – £400
Drain Repair Costs (If Problems Are Found)
If the survey finds problems, here is what common repairs typically cost.
| Repair | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Drain jetting (unblocking) | £80 – £200 |
| Patch repair (no-dig) | £300 – £800 |
| Drain relining (per metre) | £80 – £150/m |
| Excavation and pipe replacement | £1,000 – £3,000 |
| Collapsed drain under building | £3,000 – £10,000 |
| Root cutting | £150 – £400 |
Drainage Survey Cost by Region
CCTV drainage survey cost varies by region. These are averages for a standard drainage survey on a domestic property across the UK.
| Region | Average Cost | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| London | £280 | +24% |
| South East | £250 | +11% |
| East of England | £235 | +4% |
| South West | £230 | +2% |
| Midlands | £225 | Average |
| Yorkshire | £200 | -11% |
| North West | £210 | -7% |
| North East | £190 | -16% |
| Scotland | £200 | -11% |
| Wales | £195 | -13% |
How to Get Your Drain Survey for Less
Book a survey before buying a property
A drain survey before exchange costs £150–£300. Finding a collapsed drain after completion could cost £5,000–£10,000 to fix - and at that point it is your problem, not the seller's. Many conveyancing solicitors now recommend a drain survey as standard for pre-1960 properties.
Combine jetting and survey for a better price
Many drainage companies offer a combined jet-clean and survey package for less than booking them separately. Having the drains jetted before the survey also gives a clearer picture - the camera can see the pipe walls properly rather than looking through murky water and debris.
Consider no-dig repairs where possible
Traditional drain repair means digging up your garden, drive, or even your floor. No-dig methods like relining and patch repair cost 30–50% less and cause no disruption. Not every problem can be fixed this way, but a good drainage engineer will recommend the least invasive option.
Check if the problem is on the public sewer
Drains from your property boundary to the public sewer are the water company's responsibility, not yours. If the blockage or damage is in the shared sewer, the water company repairs it for free. A CCTV survey can establish exactly where the problem lies and save you paying for work that is not your responsibility.
What to Expect: The Drain Survey Process
- 1
Access and preparation
The engineer lifts the manhole covers around the property to identify the drain layout. They check for visible signs of problems and plan the camera route. You do not need to be home if manhole covers are accessible.
- 2
Camera inspection
A small CCTV camera on a flexible rod is fed into the drain. It records video as it travels through, and the engineer watches the footage in real time on a screen. They note the distance from the access point, the pipe material, condition, and any defects.
- 3
Report and recommendations
You receive a written report with annotated screenshots, a drain map, and video footage. Each issue is graded by severity. The engineer recommends what needs action, what can be monitored, and what is fine. For pre-purchase surveys, the report is formatted for your solicitor.
Useful resources
- Gov.uk: Private drains and sewers — Who is responsible for which drains
- Ofwat — The water services regulator for England and Wales
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a CCTV drain survey cost?
A standard CCTV drain survey costs £100–£300 for a domestic property. This covers sending a camera through your drains, recording the footage, and providing a written report with findings. A more comprehensive drainage investigation including mapping, dye testing, and multiple access points costs £300–£600.
When do I need a drain survey?
The most common reasons are: buying a house (to check the drains before completing), persistent blocked drains, bad smells, subsidence concerns, or before building an extension over or near a drain. Conveyancing solicitors increasingly recommend a drain survey as part of the home-buying process, especially for older properties.
What does a drain survey find?
Common findings include tree root ingress, cracks and fractures, displaced joints, blockages from fat and debris, collapsed sections, and incorrectly connected pipes. The survey report grades each issue by severity and recommends what action is needed - from monitoring to repair to replacement.
How long does a drain survey take?
A standard CCTV survey of a domestic property takes 1–2 hours. The engineer lifts manhole covers, feeds the camera through the system, and records everything. You usually get the report within 24–48 hours, often with annotated screenshots and video footage.
Should I get a drain survey before buying a house?
Strongly recommended for any property built before 1960, or any property where the drains run under or close to the building. Drain repairs can cost thousands - a collapsed drain under a kitchen extension, for example, could cost £5,000–£10,000 to fix. A £150–£300 survey before you buy is cheap insurance against nasty surprises.
Written by Sarah Mitchell, Less.co.uk home improvement specialist
Last updated: April 2026 · Pricing based on industry data and verified contractor submissions · Methodology
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