COST GUIDES
Cost for plumbing inspection: 2026 UK pricing
Updated 06/26
You don’t want to max out your house-buying budget only to find out that you need to spend a hefty sum fixing the plumbing. Or maybe your home has a leak or a blockage that you just can't work out where it's coming from. That's where a plumbing inspection can help.
Fast Facts
A standard plumbing inspection survey costs around £100 - £400
The total cost depends on the size of your property, and how complex the plumbing system is
The survey may bring plumbing issues to light - be prepared to pay for repairs if so
A plumbing inspection or survey will help uncover any potential issues with the plumbing in your property - so you know the state of your pipes, and what kind of repairs or general TLC they may need.
Let's take a dive into what costs you can expect for a plumbing inspection.
How much does a plumbing inspection cost?
| Cost provided item | Unit | Cost - Low | Cost - High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of plumbing inspection | £100 | £400 | |
| Cost to replumb gas supply | £150 | £800 | |
| Replumbing to relocate your boiler | £400 | £600 | |
| Cost to get gas in your house | Gas line connection | £400 | £1,250 |
| Cost to get gas in your house | Install, fit a gas meter & traffic management | ||
| Plumbing inspection camera cost | £200 | £300 | |
| Last updated: June 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
A standard plumbing inspection survey costs between £100 and £400 on average.
If you need a CCTV drain survey, expect to pay an average of £90. A drain survey for large properties will cost more.
If you have a leak, a standard leak detection to find its source can cost anywhere from £80 – £1,600.
What next?
Of course, if the inspection uncovers any problems, you may also need to pay extra for them to be repaired or cleared.
To give you an idea of what to expect there, the average rate for a plumber is £50 per hour or £350 per day.
Each plumbing task involves different skills, materials, and labour times so your local plumber will either charge a daily rate, hourly rate, or an overall price.
Find a plumbing inspector near you
Factors affecting your plumbing inspection cost
The cost of your plumbing survey will be affected by things like:
Size of house
Type of house and plumbing
Length of pipes and drains
Ease of access
Your location
Along with the usual checks such as flooring, drains, pipes, and sewage systems, your local plumber will make sure there isn’t any chance of water wastage from leaks, floods, or leaks from the sewage.
Additional costs to budget for
You may need to pay extra for things like:
Particularly old or extensive plumbing
Leak detection services
Difficult-to-access pipes
CCTV drain surveys
Transport and parking
VAT
Your plumber may also uncover urgent plumbing repairs during the survey, or simply a few things that can be fixed there and then. If you own the property, you may find it makes sense to have the work done straight away.
For a better idea of how much these might cost, take a look at our plumber pricing guide.
Plumber costs in the UK: 2026 price guide
Whether you are planning an exciting renovation or have a troublesome issue, our plumber cost guide contains daily, hourly and emergency rates.
Get an estimated quote for your plumbing inspection
Want a quick idea of how much a plumbing inspection may cost for your property? Try the Checkatrade job estimate calculator.
Just type in some details about your property - including its size, age, and any plumbing issues you're experiencing - and the tool will use our data to give you an approximate quote. This way, you know what to expect when you contact tradespeople.
Job Estimate Calculator
What is a plumbing survey?
A plumbing survey is a process where you can determine whether the plumbing and the drains have any blockages or leaks and where they are.
It's ideal if you're having a few annoyances with your plumbing and can't find the source - or if you're buying property and want to know whether its plumbing is up to scratch.
What does the plumbing survey process consist of?
A plumbing inspection will include:
Inspection
Camera survey
Plumbing survey report
Resolving the issues
Here are some of the checks a plumber will carry out during an inspection:
Water filtration systems
Fixtures, drains and supply lines
Toilets, baths, and sinks
Exposed, above-ground plumbing (traps beneath bathrooms, kitchens, and utility room sinks), shut-off valves, bathroom
Tankless heating systems or water storage tank
Draining and venting systems in kitchens, utility rooms, and bathrooms
Using a plumbing inspection camera to examine sewer pipes and drains
Discharge and sump pump checks
Examining shut-off valves
Other typical problem areas a plumber will look at during an inspection include:
Water supply system
Drainage
Outdoor water system
Sewage systems
Data verified by our professional estimators
Estimators are CIOB & RICS members
Why do I need a plumbing inspection?
One of the most common reasons why people get a plumbing inspection is because they're experiencing plumbing or drainage issues at their home. An inspection will help find the source and get it fixed.
If you’re buying a property, you don’t want to be surprised with a plumbing repair and installation job soon after.
Plumbing installation costs might set you back by much more than a survey, so it can be useful to know when negotiating the final price of the house purchase.
From installing a new tap and unblocking drains, to boiler maintenance and bathroom installations, take a look at our plumbing hub for help with all your plumbing needs.
If you're selling your property, meanwhile, a plumbing survey report that proves the pipes are in good shape can keep buyers happy.
And even if you're not in the house-buying process, a plumbing survey can also be helpful for insurance purposes, finding leaks and other issues, or getting ready for a bathroom remodel or kitchen renovation.
Find a plumbing inspector near you
Ready to get started finding a plumbing inspection service? You're in the right place to begin your search.
Type your postcode - or the postcode of the property you're buying - into our search tool. We'll show you all the tradespeople who offer plumbing surveys in your area, so you can compare your options, get quotes, and book the job.
You can also use our request-a-quote feature to hear back from available plumbing inspectors, or try out the Checkatrade app!
Look for local general plumbing services
Enter your postcode to find a top tradesperson near you
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FAQs
A quality plumbing inspection involves checking anywhere through which water runs in your new home. An inspector will use things like cameras to inspect the inside of your pipes, sinks, baths, and other plumbing fixtures.
It’s important to check the plumbing in your new house has the following:
Separate pipes for sewage and greywater
A freshwater supply that enters the property
There’s a hot water supply after being heated in the hot water tank
That gases and air can escape out of the system efficiently via venting pipes
You will need to hire a skilled plumber to do this properly.
A plumbing inspection will detect issues early on, preventing major repairs in plumbing systems and pipes which could save you money in the long run.
A plumbing survey is a survey that will identify if there are any plumbing problems in your property. If left unattended, you could be faced with costly repairs.
A full plumbing inspection using cameras will cost between £200-£300.
If you have concerns about the plumbing on the property you're purchasing - for instance, if it's an old building - a plumbing inspection before you buy it is a good idea. However, not all homeowners-to-be get a plumbing survey done - most choose a level 3 home survey.
The entire process of your plumbing survey usually takes around 1 - 3 hours.
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