COST GUIDES
Cost to prevent flood damage
Updated 10/25
Britain is notorious for its wet and windy weather. Flood damage costs the UK hundreds of millions of pounds every year to manage and prevent flooding.
The current government, for example, has committed to a 2-year investment of over £2.65 billion on flood and coastal defences. This figure rises when floods are particularly bad.
With this in mind, protecting your property from flood damage is something to consider – especially if you live in a high flood area.
That said, it can be hard to know which preventative measure to prioritise and what the overall costs entail, which is why we've put together this guide.
Flood water can be dangerous, so if you are in your home when the flooding happens you must leave and get to safety immediately.
Common types of flood damage
| Preventative measure | Unit | Average cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sandbags and floor barriers | Per item | £100 |
| Toilet pan seals | Per item | £45 |
| Airbrick covers | Per item | £50 |
| Raising door thresholds and plug sockets | Labour per hour | £80 |
| Basement waterproofing | Per m2 | £120 |
| uPVC door replacement | Per door | £1,500 |
| uPVC window replacement | Per window | £750 |
| Water resistant skirting board | Per m2 | £80 |
| Gutter cleaning | Per metre | £10 |
| Soakaway installation | Per unit | £850 |
| Damp proof course | Per house | £850 |
| Damp proofing | Per metre | £60 |
| Last updated: May 2024 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | ||
There are 6 common types of flooding in the UK, which include:
River
Coastal
Surface or pluvial water
Groundwater
Sewer
Reservoir
For homeowners, groundwater flooding is the most common type of storm damage to hit their houses, which is caused by an increase in rainwater.
When this happens, homes are susceptible to flood damage such as:
Basement flooding
Garden flooding
Sewage overflows
Shed contamination
Flood-damaged cars
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There are several preventative measures you can employ to help limit the amount of damage caused by UK flooding.
Read on for the best solutions and their average costs.
Sandbags or flood-barriers
Sandbags and flood barriers are a simple but effective way to prevent or reduce floodwater entering your home.
Although they're not a 100% guarantee, they're useful for redirecting water away so it doesn't overwhelm your property.
For simple defences, you could be paying out around £5 per sandbag
For more robust options, such as barriers, costs could be around £180+
Average cost: £100
Toilet pan seals
Toilet pan seals are a great anti-flooding device that you secure around your toilet pan rim to prevent backflow from contaminated wastewater.
They're worth keeping in your floor-defence arsenal in the event of sewage overflows.
Costs start at around £34 and rise to £60 depending on the make and model.
Average cost: £45
Airbrick covers
Only use airbrick covers in an emergency situation to prevent floodwater from seeping under your floorboards.
As soon as the flood subsides, remove them to allow air circulation that helps dry out damp conditions.
Due to these covers being a relatively simple option, costs start at around £15 and increase to £50+ for more hardcore options.
Average cost: £50
Raising door thresholds and plug sockets
There are various flood barrier threshold kits on the market, which can be used in advance of a flood or installed preventatively as defence doors. Either way, raising your door thresholds where possible is good practice.
And the same goes for plug sockets on your lower ground floors, resulting in a lower chance of electrical hazards.
The average costs for these measures vary, so it's worth seeking a professional quote from a handyperson, electrician or carpenter.
Check out or cost guides for more comprehensive rates:
Basement waterproofing
When it comes to flooding, basements are the hardest-hit areas in your house. This is why investing in basement waterproofing (aka: structural waterproofing) is a great way to prevent groundwater from causing significant damage to your property.
Costs will depend on your square footage and type of waterproofing, but you can expect to pay between £40 - £250 per m².
Check out our basement waterproofing cost guide for more information.
Average cost: £120 per m²
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Swapping doors and windows for uPVC alternatives
uPVC doors and windows are solid, low maintenance and waterproof alternatives to their material counterparts.
Why not consider replacing your front door and windows with uPVC alternatives as a flood defence priority? Especially if you live in a high-risk area.
Costs will depend on the style of doors and windows you're looking for and how many need replacing.
Check out our door installation cost guide and window fitting cost guide for more information.
Average cost of uPVC front door replacement: £1,500
Hire an approved flood defence expert
Water-resistant skirting boards
Skirting boards aren't just decorative items.
When sealed properly, uPVC boards act as a barrier that prevents floodwater from seeping through your walls. The final cost will depend on the amount of sealant and labour required.
Check out our skirting board cost guide for more information.
Average cost of uPVC skirting board: £80 per m²
Gutter maintenance
Clogged gutters and flood conditions are a terrible combination.
Issues include:
Mould
Structural issues
Potential pest infestations
Making flood issues worse by blocking runoff water
Letting floodwater continue to build up
These can wreak havoc on your home, which is easily avoided by regular gutter maintenance. Check out our gutter cleaning cost guide for more information.
Average gutter cleaning cost for a small terraced house: £90
Need help damp proofing your home? We have a number of guides to get you started. From finding drain clearance experts to costs for water removal, we've got you covered.
Soakaway installation
Installing a soakaway is a great way to prevent floods from reaching your home.
Perfect for catching runoff and storm water, soakaways are built underground and covered in a porous-walled chamber that catches floodwater before it causes damage.
Depending on the materials used, the depth of the structure, and where it's being installed, you can expect to pay between £750 - £1,000 for a soakaway installation.
For more information on installing drainage-friendly front gardens, check out our permeable driveway cost guide.
A soakaway must be built on soft ground so that any excess water can drain away. If a soakaway is dug on a solid surface, the hole will store the excess water until it overflows.
Damp-proofing and damp proof floor membrane maintenance
Damp is a major nuisance for a homeowner, which is why maintaining or installing a damp proof course and making sure you damp proof your home is essential for avoiding a long-lasting headache.
Maintaining your damp proof floor membranes is also essential for validating your insurance. Especially if you don't have underfloor heating.
Check out our damp proofing cost guide for more comprehensive information on all types of damp and damp prevention measures.
Average cost for a damp proof course (medium sized property): £850
Average damp proofing cost per metre: £60
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Checklist
There is much you can do around the home to help prevent flood damage. Use our handy checklist to get you in the prevention mindset.
Flood damage prevention checklist
Identify your flood defence requirements
Prioritise your preventative measures
Tackle external measures first
If you get caught out, and are affected by flood water coming into your home, don't forget to look for flood cleaning services that work in your local area.
Other helpful links for flood damage costs
In the event of your worst-case scenario, it's helpful to know the potential cost of flood damage repairs. Here is a helpful list for you to browse:
More Flood Restoration Articles
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