How much does a CCTV drain survey cost in 2023?

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 professional camera engineers who can do a full drain survey in one day. The report they provide will let you know the status of all your pipes and drains.

What is a CCTV drain survey?

A CCTV drain survey is a full, in-depth inspection of a drainage system. Special CCTV cameras are inserted into the drains and provide a live feed, enabling the engineers carrying out the survey to see the state of the drains and identify any issues.

Drain surveys are important to carry out if you suspect drain blockages or damage to the pipework. It’s also sensible to plan a survey if you’re buying an old property to ensure there are no existing problems with the drainage system.

CCTV drain surveys require the use of hi-tech equipment by experienced engineers, so it’s worth speaking to your local drain experts for more detailed information.

How much does a CCTV drain survey cost?

The average cost of drain camera inspection work is about £90. Local drain experts will usually offer two types of survey. A basic CCTV drain survey will cost around £85 to £235, and for a full CCTV drain survey with a report, the price is in the region of £200 to £350.

Engineers can often remove minor drain blockages while they’re carrying out the drain survey, and will usually include them in the cost.

The price you’ll pay for your CCTV drain survey will be 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 factors impact the cost of a 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 it comes to a CCTV drain survey cost. Some homes will have a more complex drainage system, which will be more complicated to navigate and therefore it may cost more to carry out the survey.

Also, wider drainage pipes will require the use of a larger camera – which is a more expensive piece of equipment 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 6 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.

Types of CCTV drain survey

When considering a drain survey, it’s useful to consider the extent of the survey to understand the potential cost of the camera inspection of your drains.

Basic CCTV drain survey

The basic drain survey will involve an investigation with the survey, following that the engineers 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.

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

When do I need a CCTV drain survey?

CCTV drain surveys can be very effective in a number of situations, including when:

• Your home is regularly experiencing 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.

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 your local drain survey experts 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 commons 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 plugholes to stop unwanted food and debris 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, we always recommend speaking to a local drain expert for their professional advice on how best to solve the problem.

Useful CCTV drain survey checklist

• CCTV drain surveys aren’t suitable for a DIY job.
• Most drain experts 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 local drain experts for professional advice and accurate prices.
• Always shop around for fair and competitive prices.
• When hiring a tradesperson, choose a professional with relevant experience and qualifications/accreditations.