Published prices we could verify

This is a dated snapshot, not a live comparison service. Follow each source and obtain a written quotation before booking.

Direct provider observations

Dated direct-provider candidate observations with mixed scopes; not a representative UK average.
SourceDescribed scopePublished inclusionsDisplayed priceVAT basisCoverageReviewedWhat is not yet normalised
Drain365Candidate observation · Direct provider priceCCTV drain surveyThe provider describes its standard survey as including a full inspection, footage and a written report.From £139 + VATExcluding VATLondon provider coverageThis is a starting price. Property extent, access, travel, run limits and exact deliverables must be confirmed.
AspectCandidate observation · Direct provider priceInspectionUp to four manholes; the provider says a report with footage, images and observations is available on request at no extra cost.From £225 + VATExcluding VATGreater London and South East England provider coverageAdditional manholes were listed at £67.50 plus VAT each. Do not assume this includes the mapping in the provider's homebuyer option.
AspectCandidate observation · Direct provider priceMapping / homebuyer workMapping/homebuyer work for up to four manholes, as described by the provider.From £315 + VATExcluding VATGreater London and South East England provider coverageAdditional access points were listed at £67.50 plus VAT each. Property extent, report format and clearance terms must be confirmed.
Clearflow SurveysCandidate observation · Direct provider priceHomebuyer surveyDescribed as a homebuyer survey, with the displayed starting price based on a two-bedroom property.From £249 + VATExcluding VATCheshire, Staffordshire and Greater Manchester provider coverageThis is a starting price. Property size, exact inclusions, access conditions and geographic terms must be checked.
EcoJetCandidate observation · Direct provider priceFull CCTV surveyWeekday daytime full CCTV survey, priced on time on site.£140 + VATExcluding VATLondon provider coverageThe source charges additional time separately and displays different evening, night and weekend rates; report deliverables require confirmation.
DrainsmartCandidate observation · Direct provider priceHomebuyer packageUp to three manholes, full CCTV inspection, computerised layout drawing, stills or footage on request, and a report target of two working days.£280 + VATExcluding VATLondon provider coverageAdditional manholes and expedited reporting are separately priced on the source page.
DrainLocal LondonCandidate observation · Direct provider priceHomebuyer packageUp to five pipe runs and a detailed PDF report.£180Not explicit on reviewed sourceLondon provider coverageAdditional runs are separately priced; individual recordings are shown as a separate higher-priced option; VAT basis was not explicit in the reviewed evidence.
CCTV Drain SurveysCandidate observation · Direct provider priceHomebuyer surveyWritten condition report; HD video described as optional.£295Not explicit on reviewed sourceKent, Sussex, Surrey and South London provider coverageVAT, property/run limits and exact video terms were not explicit in the reviewed evidence and must be confirmed.
Hydro ScotCandidate observation · Direct provider priceFull CCTV surveyThe page describes a written report, footage and diagrams.Typically £150–£400Not explicit on reviewed sourceGlasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and Central Scotland provider coverageThis is a provider's typical range, not a fixed offer; the source says complexity and camera reach affect the quote, and VAT basis was not explicit.

Separately labelled consumer estimate

This is not a provider offer. Its own cost table is older than our access date, so it is retained only as clearly caveated market context.

Consumer-market estimate kept separate from direct provider prices.
SourceDescribed scopePublished inclusionsDisplayed priceVAT basisCoverageReviewedWhat is not yet normalised
CheckatradeCandidate observation · Consumer-market estimateFull-report market estimateDescribed as an approximate range for a full report.Approximately £200–£350Not explicit on reviewed sourceUK guide; not a contractor quoteThis is a ballpark consumer estimate, not a provider offer or verified local price. The cost table said it was last updated in May 2024, and automated freshness checks may be blocked by the site.

We have deliberately not calculated a median from these figures. Nine observations are direct provider prices, one is a consumer-market estimate, and the described scopes are not interchangeable. See the full price methodology for our inclusion and publication rules.

Compare the scope before the price

“CCTV survey” can describe very different deliverables. Ask the contractor to classify the quote in writing.

Basic camera inspection

Potentially suitable when you only need a contractor to look at an accessible run and explain what they can see. Do not assume this includes retained footage, a formal written condition report, still images, defect locations or a drainage plan.

Inspection with written report

Ask whether the price includes the inspected routes, observations, stills, footage, access limitations and a clear summary. Confirm how the report will be delivered and whether it is suitable for the person who requested it.

Homebuyer or mapping package

This may add a more durable report, drainage layout or mapping work. The label alone proves nothing: confirm exact boundaries, accessible runs, deliverables and exclusions before instructing the contractor.

Our reviewed sources themselves use different labels. For example, Aspect separates an inspection price from mapping/homebuyer work, while Clearflow publishes a homebuyer-survey price. Review the current Aspect survey page and Clearflow price page rather than treating the labels as a common standard.

What can change the final quote?

  • Access: how many chambers or other safe access points can actually be opened on the day.
  • Extent: the number and length of accessible runs to be inspected, and whether shared or off-site pipework is in scope.
  • Condition at arrival: an active blockage may prevent inspection until separate clearance or cleaning work is agreed.
  • Deliverables: verbal feedback, retained footage, still images, a written report and a drainage layout are different outputs.
  • Purpose: a buyer, solicitor, surveyor, lender, insurer or water company may require a particular format or scope.
  • Location and timing: coverage, travel, parking, urgency and appointment conditions may affect a provider’s quote.
  • VAT: check whether the displayed or quoted figure includes VAT before comparing totals.

A like-for-like quote checklist

Ask each contractor to confirm:

  1. Which accessible drains and runs the price covers.
  2. Whether clearance or cleaning is included, optional or extra.
  3. Whether you receive the footage and still images.
  4. Whether a written report is included and what it contains.
  5. Whether mapping, depth, tracing or defect location is included.
  6. What happens if part of the system cannot be accessed.
  7. The total price including VAT and any travel or access charges.

Use our printable survey specification to send the same brief to each contractor. A cheaper inspection can be poor value if it does not produce the evidence your intended recipient needs.

What this guide cannot tell you

We do not know the access, layout, condition or required evidence for your property. We do not verify local provider availability, publish postcode prices or route quote requests. The figures above can expire or change after our review date, and no listed source participates in this website.

If a professional has requested drainage evidence, get their required specification before booking. If you are dealing with a current blockage, flooding, sewage or safety issue, use the appropriate water company or emergency route instead of relying on this cost guide.

Sources

We link to the underlying source so you can check the wording, scope and current position yourself. Access dates record our review, not a promise that a third-party page has not changed since.

  1. Published drain-survey service priceDrain365 · Provider price page · London provider coverage · reviewed 30 August 2026
  2. CCTV drain surveysAspect · Provider price page · Greater London and South East England provider coverage · reviewed 30 August 2026
  3. How much does a homebuyer drain survey cost?Clearflow Surveys · Provider price page · Cheshire, Staffordshire and Greater Manchester provider coverage · reviewed 30 August 2026
  4. Drainage service ratesEcoJet · Provider price page · London provider coverage · reviewed 30 August 2026
  5. Drainage services feesDrainsmart · Provider price page · London provider coverage · reviewed 30 August 2026
  6. Homebuyer CCTV drain surveyDrainLocal London · Provider price page · London provider coverage · reviewed 30 August 2026
  7. CCTV drain survey pricesCCTV Drain Surveys · Provider price page · Kent, Sussex, Surrey and South London coverage · reviewed 30 August 2026
  8. CCTV drain survey services across ScotlandHydro Scot · Provider price page · Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and Central Scotland provider coverage · reviewed 30 August 2026
  9. CCTV drain survey cost guideCheckatrade · Consumer price guide · UK · reviewed 30 August 2026