CCTV Drain Survey Cost UK (2026 Price Guide)

A CCTV drain survey is one of the cheapest ways to find out what's going on underground. It can also save you from paying for the wrong repair.

But prices online are all over the place. Some firms quote a low figure and then add the report on top. Others quote a day rate and leave you to guess how long it'll take.

So here's a plain guide to what a CCTV drain survey costs in 2026, what's included, and what pushes the price up or down.

Typical CCTV drain survey costs in 2026

These prices are based on surveys we've carried out over the last 12 months. All prices exclude VAT. Your quote may be different once we know the size of the job.

All prices should be read alongside one question: does it include a written report? Ours does. Ask anyone else the same thing before you compare.

What you get for the money

A proper survey isn't just a camera down a pipe. You should get:

• Live footage of the inside of your drains
• A written report that lists each defect and where it is
• A plan or sketch of the drain runs
• Photos of the problems found
• A clear note on what needs fixing and what can be left

The report matters most. Without it, you only have a video that nobody else can easily use. A mortgage lender, insurer or builder will want the written version. Our CCTV survey reports with video footage are set out so you can pass them straight on.

What changes the price

How much pipe there is

A semi with one short run to the road takes far less time than a farmhouse with long runs, several chambers and an outbuilding. More metres means more time.

Access

If we can lift a cover and go straight in, the job is quick. If covers are buried under a patio, painted shut or missing, it takes longer. Sometimes we have to go in through a toilet or a gully instead.

Blockages

A camera can't see through a blockage. If a pipe is full, it needs high-pressure water jetting first. That adds to the cost, but it's the only way to see the pipe wall properly.

The type of survey

• Homebuyer surveys are usually quick and simple. See our homebuyer CCTV drain survey.
• Build over surveys often need a before and after survey, plus a report in the format your water company asks for. See our build over survey.
• Commercial surveys can cover large sites, car parks and long sewer runs. These are often priced per day. See commercial CCTV drain surveys.

Mapping and tracing

If nobody knows where the drains run, we may need to trace them with a sonde. That's a small transmitter on the camera that we follow from above ground. It adds time, but it's often worth it, especially before building work. Read more about sonde locating.

When a survey pays for itself

People often ask if a survey is worth it. Here's when we'd say yes, every time.

You're buying a house. Drains are often left out of a standard building survey. A collapsed pipe found after you complete is your problem. Found before, it's something you can negotiate on. Our post on pre-purchase drain surveys goes into this in more detail.

A drain keeps blocking. If you've had the same drain unblocked twice, something is causing it. Roots, a crack or a dip in the pipe will keep catching waste. A blockage investigation finds the cause, so you stop paying for the same call-out.

You're planning an extension. If you're building over or near a public sewer, your water company will likely want a survey. Doing it early avoids delays later.

You run a commercial site. Facilities teams use surveys to plan repair budgets instead of waiting for a failure. See how often commercial drains should be surveyed.

You're making an insurance claim. Insurers usually want evidence of the damage and its cause. A survey report gives them that.

How to compare quotes

Cheap quotes aren't always cheap. Before you book, ask:

1. Is the written report included in the price?
2. Will I get the video footage?
3. What happens if the drain is blocked? Is jetting extra?
4. Is the price fixed, or is it by the hour?
5. Will you tell me what needs doing, or just hand me a video?

Get the answers in writing. It makes it much easier to compare like with like.

What happens on the day

1. The engineer finds and lifts the drain covers.
2. The camera goes into the pipe and records as it moves along.
3. Each defect is noted with its distance from the chamber.
4. If needed, the engineer traces the run from above ground and marks it.
5. You get the report and footage afterwards, with clear next steps.

Most domestic surveys are done in a single visit. Bigger sites may take longer.

If the survey finds a problem

Don't panic. Many defects are minor and can be watched. If something does need fixing, the report tells you the size of the job. Small cracks can often be fixed without digging, using drain lining and relining or a patch repair. A collapsed section may need collapsed drain repair.

We'll always tell you what can wait and what can't.

Book your CCTV drain survey

Want a fixed price for your survey? Call 0203 870 1067, email contactus@icedrainage.co.uk or get a quote today. Every job starts with a free site survey, and we're rated 4.9 on Google.

Related reading: CCTV drain surveys and what a CCTV drain survey is.