People often ask for a flat price for a CCTV drain survey. It is a fair question, but the honest answer is that the cost depends on the drain. A short, clear run with an easy access point is a different job from a long, silted run under a garden.
This guide explains what moves the price, so you can compare quotes fairly. We have left out price figures on purpose. We would rather you get a quote based on your own drain than rely on a number from a web page.
What a CCTV drain survey does
A surveyor feeds a small waterproof camera into the drain on a flexible rod. The camera records the pipe as it goes. The footage shows cracks, displaced joints, roots, collapses and build-up that you cannot see from above ground.
As a result, a survey is the fastest way to find the cause of a problem. It also shows whether a blockage is a one-off or a sign of damage. For an overview of the service, see our page on CCTV drain surveys.
Access to the drain
Access is the first thing that shapes the price. The camera needs somewhere to go in, such as an inspection chamber, a gully or a removable pan. When a cover is easy to lift, the survey starts quickly.
When covers are buried, stuck or missing, the job takes longer. The team may need to dig down to find the chamber, or to remove a toilet to reach the pipe. As a result, hard access adds time and sometimes extra work.
Length and number of runs
Longer runs take more time to survey. A single run from one chamber to the next costs less effort than a drain with several branches. Each extra run means moving the equipment and recording another section.
A property with a shared drain or several outlets may need more than one survey point. Let your surveyor know about extensions, annexes and any other buildings. For example, a detached garage with its own drain adds another run to the job.
Surveys in nearby areas follow the same logic. If you want to see how this works, read about CCTV surveys in Hessle or drain surveys in Cottingham.
Whether the drain needs jetting first
A camera cannot see through grease, silt or a full pipe. If the drain is blocked or heavily coated, the surveyor may need to clear it first. High-pressure water jetting does this job.
Because of this, a survey on a blocked drain often includes two tasks, not one. The jetting is extra work, but it makes the footage usable. A quote should say clearly whether jetting is included or priced separately.
Why a quote beats a price list
A fixed figure on a website cannot account for your drain. It would have to assume easy access, a short run and a clean pipe. Few real drains fit all three. For that reason, a good provider asks questions before quoting, and then explains what the price covers.
When you compare quotes, check that each one describes the same job. One may include jetting and a written report. Another may offer only a video. As a result, the cheaper quote is not always the better value.
What a good report contains
The report is what you pay for in the end, so ask what you will receive. A useful report usually includes:
- The footage, in a format you can keep and share.
- A plan or sketch showing the runs that were surveyed.
- Notes on pipe material, size and direction of flow.
- A list of defects with their position along the pipe.
- Photos of the main problems.
- Clear advice on what to do next, in plain English.
A video alone is not much help if nobody explains it. A written summary lets a builder, insurer or solicitor act on it. Ask to see a sample report before you book. Also ask how long you will wait for it after the visit, since a report you cannot use quickly does little for a house sale or an insurance claim.
When a survey is worth it
A survey is worth the cost when the problem keeps coming back. If a drain blocks again and again, something may be wrong with the pipe itself. A camera finds the cause instead of guessing.
It also helps before you buy a property, when you want to know what lies underground. Our pre-purchase drain surveys are designed for this. Likewise, a drainage investigation survey suits problems such as odours, damp patches or sinking ground.
Next steps
To get a price, tell us about the property, the drain and the symptoms. Photos of any inspection chambers help us plan the visit. Request a quote online and we will explain what is included in the survey and the report.