Blog>Cost Guides>CCTV drain survey: Cost breakdown 2025
Last updated: 2 July 2025
CCTV drain survey: Cost breakdown 2025
Experiencing poor drainage can be a real pain for homeowners, and dealing with it means understanding the problem. In this guide we look at the average CCTV drain survey cost in the UK.
If you’ve recently bought a new property or have issues with your existing home, a CCTV drain survey will help you determine whether there’s a blockage or damage to the drains.
These surveys are carried out by a local drainage technician using hi-tech live feed cameras.
Fast Facts
A basic CCTV drain survey will cost around £85 to £235
Meanwhile, the average cost for a CCTV drain survey for a larger property is somewhere in the region of £350 to £450
CCTV drain surveys aren’t a DIY job, and you'll need to hire a local drain technician
How much does a CCTV drain survey cost in 2025?
A CCTV drain survey in the UK typically costs about £90, depending on the type of survey, the size of the property and the complexity of the drainage system.
| Cost provided item | Range - Low | Range - High | Average UK cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average CCTV drain survey | - | - | £90 |
| Basic CCTV drain survey | £85 | £235 | £160 |
| Full CCTV drain survey with report | £200 | £350 | £275 |
| CCTV drain survey - large property | £350 | £450 | £400 |
| Ground excavation | £100 | £300 | £200 |
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
It typically takes a day for a technician to conduct a CCTV drain survey. Engineers can often remove minor drain blockages while they’re conducting the drain survey, and usually include them in the cost.
To find checked services covering your area, use our free search tool below.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
CCTV drain survey costs UK
Checked tradespeople offering CCTV drain surveys usually offer two types of surveys, depending on how in-depth you need the investigation to be. A basic CCTV drain survey will cost less than a full survey with a report. To learn more about drain survey costs in the UK and how much you can expect to pay, read on.
Basic CCTV drain survey
The basic drain survey will involve an investigation with the survey, following which the drain technician will describe what the issues are. It’s effectively an exploration only, so you won’t get a report or any of the CCTV footage from the survey.
A basic CCTV drain survey will cost around £85 to £235.
Full CCTV drain survey with a report
The most comprehensive CCTV drain survey includes the basic exploration, but it also comes with a detailed written report, and you’ll get a copy of the CCTV footage. The full drain survey report will typically include the following:
A condition report for all the drains on your property
A map of all the drains
Still images and video footage
For a full CCTV drain survey with a report, the price is in the region of £200 to £350.
CCTV drainage survey: Job estimator tool
Use our job estimator tool below to help calculate how much you should pay for a CCTV drainage service in your area.
Need help working out cost? Our job estimate tool calculates the costs for you.
Factors affecting the cost of a CCTV drain survey
The price you’ll pay for your CCTV drain survey will be affected by a number of factors. They include:
Type of property
Drainage systems vary from property to property, and this is an important factor to consider when calculating the cost of a CCTV drain survey. Some homes have a more complex drainage system, which is more complicated to navigate. This means the survey may cost more.
Also, wider drainage pipes will require the use of a larger camera – which is a more expensive piece of kit and will be reflected in the price of the CCTV drain survey.
Length of drain
It's no surprise to learn that the bigger your home and the more drainage pipework there is in the system, the longer it will take to complete the survey – and the more it will cost.
The average cost for a CCTV drain survey for a larger property is somewhere in the region of £350 to £450 and can take up to six hours to complete.
Access to the drains
Unfortunately, some drains are a pain to access and that makes it more complicated for an engineer to carry out their CCTV inspection.
If you have to excavate any ground to get to the drainage system, that will add a chunk of money onto the total price you pay – potentially £100 to £300 in labour.
Hidden costs to watch out for
Here are some additional factors that sometimes get forgotten:
Location
If you live in a built-up area of a city or town and access to the drain is more complicated to navigate, it may cost more to carry out the survey. The same can be said for homeowners living in London, as drain surveyors tend to charge more due to London weighting.
Extensive blockages
If a CCTV drain survey uncovers extensive blockages, your drain technician may not complete the survey and clear blockages all in the same day. You could be looking at paying for a return visit to carry out further work, potentially with more specialist equipment, which could cost more.
Cost of hiring a checked drainage technician vs DIY
Are you considering taking on the job yourself to save on the cost? Unfortunately, a CCTV drain survey isn't a DIY fix and should only be done by a checked drainage technician.
This is because drainage surveyors use specialist equipment, and experience is needed to carry out a CCTV drain survey.
But if you've never used a drain technician before, and don't have any recommendations, knowing where to start hiring someone can be tricky. Checkatrade can help.
Easy ways to find a local drain technician
To find a checked CCTV drain survey provider with Checkatrade, just follow these simple steps:
1. Use a trade directory
Save time by using a trade directory (like Checkatrade!).
Even if you find a tradesperson elsewhere, running a quick Checkatrade search can boost that ‘yep, I’ve nailed it’ feeling. Our tradespeople must pass up to 12 checks before we list them, and score an average of 9/10 based on reliability, workmanship and tidiness.
Plus, if you contact or pay a tradesperson through Checkatrade, and meet our eligibility requirements, you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000 (T&Cs apply). That’s extra protection you can rely on.
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
2. Read online reviews
A review from a previous customer is one of the best ways to check a tradesperson's experience and suitability. Use Checkatrade for peace of mind, read real reviews and get in touch with tradespeople directly using our free search tool.
We check the reviews on Checkatrade are from real people, and that trades meet our high standards.
3. Compare quotes
Get at least three quotes from drainage technicians covering your local area. That way, you can be sure you're getting the best tradesperson and price for the job. Search your postcode below to get started.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
CCTV drain survey cost checklist
CCTV drain surveys aren’t a DIY job
Most drain surveyors will remove minor blockages as part of the CCTV survey cost
When buying an old property, it’s a good idea to have a CCTV drain survey done
Speak to checked drain survey tradespeople to ask for guidance and to compare prices
CCTV drain survey: FAQs
How much should a drainage survey cost?
A CCTV drain survey in the UK typically costs about £90, depending on the type of survey, the size of the property and the complexity of the drainage system.
How much does a drain test cost?
Checked tradespeople offering CCTV drain tests usually offer two types of surveys, depending on how in-depth you need the investigation to be.
A basic drain test involves an investigation with the survey, following which the drain technician will describe what the issues are. This will cost around £85 to £235.
For a more comprehensive CCTV drain survey including the basic exploration, a detailed written report, and a copy of the CCTV footage, expect to pay in the region of £200 to £350.
Is a drain survey worth it?
If you suspect there's a blockage in your home's drainage system, or are moving into an older property and want to check the drains are in good nick, a CCTV survey is definitely worth the cost. Remember, most drain surveyors will remove minor blockages as part of the CCTV survey cost.
Do I need a CCTV drain survey?
CCTV drain surveys can be very effective in a number of situations, including when:
Your home regularly experiences drain blockages
You’re planning an extension and would like a map of the drain and pipe system
You suspect you have a broken pipe and want to know the exact location
A pipe needs relining, and you want to know the length and route of the pipe
You’re buying an old property and want to make sure there are no existing problems with the drainage system
How much do CCTV drain surveys cost UK?
Although the average cost for a CCTV drain survey is £90, the price you’ll pay is affected by a number of factors. They include:
Size of property
Complexity of the drainage system
Number and type of blockages
Type of survey
Where you live
What are the most common causes of drain blockages?
General buildup of waste
The collapse of the drainpipe at a specific location
Cracked pipe
Can I carry out a CCTV drain survey myself?
No. Due to the specialist equipment and experience needed to carry out a CCTV drain survey, it’s not a job that you can do yourself. Speak to drain technicians covering your local area to find out the services they offer and get quotes with accurate prices.
How can I prevent future drain blockages?
There are a number of common causes of blocked drains, and knowing how to prevent drain blockages can save you money down the line. Here are some of the best ways to keep your drains clear:
Avoid flushing non-biodegradable products down waste pipes. Some wipes that are marked "flushable" should also be avoided since they can take some time to degrade.
Fats, oil and grease should be discarded in an appropriate manner. For advice, contact your local water authority.
Put a plug screen over your bathroom and kitchen plug holes to stop unwanted food and debris from going down the drain.
Use a drain unblocker product regularly to get rid of any small blockages, so that they don't build up to become a bigger problem.
If you're experiencing any major problems with blocked drains, it's a good idea to speak to checked tradespeople offering CCTV survey services for their guidance on how to solve the problem.
To find checked drain technicians covering your local area and get quotes with accurate prices, just enter your postcode below.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job