UK average CCTV drain survey costs in 2026
Prices across the UK generally fall somewhere between £85 and £450, depending on the type of survey, the size of the property, and how many access points are involved. A basic "look and see" inspection without a written report sits at the lower end. A full survey with a proper written report, footage, and drain mapping — the kind you'd want for a house purchase or a recurring blockage — typically lands in the £150 to £350 range for a standard domestic property.
Larger properties or more complex drainage runs push costs toward the £350–£450 mark, mainly because more chambers need lifting and more pipe length needs recording. Commercial surveys usually start higher again, often from £500, due to longer runs and different equipment.
What actually changes the price
- Length and number of drain runs — more pipework and more manhole covers to lift means more time on site.
- Access — buried or hard-to-reach chambers can add extra cost and time.
- Whether a written report is included — a verbal summary is cheaper than a full report with footage and a drainage plan, but far less useful if you need evidence for a solicitor, surveyor, or insurer.
- Whether the drain needs clearing first — if a blockage stops the camera passing through, jetting first adds to the job.
- How the quote is structured — some companies advertise a low call-out fee then bill per half hour once on site, which can end up costing more than a genuine fixed price.
Why a fixed price matters more than the headline number
The cheapest-looking quote isn't always the cheapest job. A "free call-out" that bills in 30-minute increments once the van's on your drive can easily overtake a fixed-price survey, especially if access is awkward or the run is longer than expected. Knowing the full cost before booking — survey, report, and unblock where possible — means no surprises on the day.
What BESA Building & Groundworks charges
We charge £200 for a standard CCTV drain survey — covering the full camera inspection, a written report, and an unblock in the same visit where the blockage can be cleared without further work. For a pre-purchase or pre-sale survey, we charge £300, which includes a full clean of the drain run first so the footage is properly clear, plus the survey and written report. If either survey shows root ingress or a collapsed section that can't simply be cleared, we'll give you a separate repair quote rather than force it — so whichever price applies, it's genuinely the number you pay, not a starting point.
Want a straight price, no surprises?
Call us directly or send your details through the form and we'll get back to you, usually the same day during working hours.
Call 0800 043 4200
Frequently asked questions
Is £200 the total cost, or are there extras?
£200 is the fixed price for a standard survey, written report, and unblock where the blockage can be cleared during the same visit. It's not a call-out fee with time added on top. If you need a pre-purchase or pre-sale survey instead, that's £300 — it includes a full clean of the drain first so the footage is properly clear, on top of the survey and report. The only other time the price changes is if the survey finds a structural issue — root ingress or a collapsed pipe — that needs a separate repair, which we'll always quote separately before doing any further work.
Why do some quotes look cheaper than £200?
Often because they're not fixed prices — a low advertised figure can be just the call-out, with the actual survey time billed per half hour once the engineer arrives. It's worth asking directly whether a quote is genuinely fixed before comparing it to ours.
Do I need a full report, or is a quick look enough?
If you're buying or selling a property, dealing with a recurring blockage, or need evidence for a solicitor or insurer, a full written report is worth having — a verbal summary won't give you anything to show a third party later. For property transactions specifically, our £300 pre-purchase survey also includes a full clean of the drain first, so the footage and report are as clear as possible.
