CCTV Drain Survey Cost: What You'll Pay and What You'll Get

A CCTV drain survey is the fastest way to find out what is happening inside your underground pipes. But what does it actually cost? The honest answer is that it depends on the type of survey you need. We carry out hundreds of drain camera inspections every year across Birmingham, Solihull, and the wider West Midlands, and below we break down the real prices you can expect to pay in 2026.

How much does a CCTV drain survey cost?

There is no single price for a drain survey. The cost depends on what you need the survey for, how many pipe runs are involved, and how easy it is to access the drainage. Here are the three most common types of survey and what they typically cost:

Commercial drain survey cost is higher, typically starting from £500, because commercial properties have longer pipe runs, larger-diameter sewers, and often require crawler cameras rather than standard push-rod equipment. We quote commercial work on a site-by-site basis after an initial assessment.

What's included in a CCTV drain survey?

A full CCTV drain inspection is far more than someone pushing a camera down a pipe and having a look. If you want to understand exactly what happens on the day, we have written a full walkthrough of what happens during a CCTV drain survey. Here is a summary of what a proper drain survey cost covers:

• HD camera footage of every accessible pipe run, recorded on site for your records.
• A drainage plan showing where your pipes run, where the chambers sit, and the pipe diameters. This is mapped using sonde locating equipment above ground.
• Annotated defect images with distance markers showing exactly where each problem sits along the run.
• WRc condition gradings for each section of pipe, following Water Research Centre classification standards.
• Written recommendations for any repair or maintenance work, with priority gradings so you know what needs attention now and what can wait.

You receive the full report as a digital file within one to two working days. It is yours to keep and share with your solicitor, insurer, or builder.

Do you need a drain survey before buying a house?

It is not a legal requirement, but we would always recommend a homebuyer drain survey before exchanging contracts. A standard RICS homebuyer valuation does not cover underground drainage. That means cracked clay pipes, root-damaged joints, pitch-fibre deterioration, and even fully collapsed sections can go completely undetected until you move in and inherit the problem.

The drain survey cost for a pre-purchase inspection is typically £200 to £400. Compare that against the cost of a collapsed drain repair, which can run into thousands. The report gives your solicitor something concrete to work with if the survey uncovers problems, and it can be used to negotiate the purchase price or request that the seller carries out repairs before completion.

If the property you are buying sits near an existing sewer, you may also need a build over agreement for any future extensions. A drain survey maps the pipe positions so you know exactly where the drainage sits before you start planning.

What affects the price of a drain survey?

Several factors push the drain camera inspection cost up or down. Understanding these will help you get an accurate quote:

• Number of pipe runs. A small terrace with one straight run from kitchen to sewer is quicker than a large detached property with multiple inspection chambers and branch connections.
• Access. If manholes are buried under paving, tarmac, or decking, the engineer needs extra time to locate and lift them. Sealed or rusted covers sometimes need specialist lifting keys.
• Pipe condition. Heavy blockages or standing water can slow the camera and may need clearing with high-pressure drain jetting before the survey can proceed.
• Property size. Larger properties, multi-occupancy buildings, and commercial premises take longer and may require crawler camera equipment.
• Report type. A simple look-and-see with verbal feedback on site costs less than a full written report with drainage plan and WRc gradings.

CCTV drain survey costs across the West Midlands

We survey properties across Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry, and the wider West Midlands every week. Pricing is consistent across our coverage area because our engineers are already working locally, so there is no inflated travel charge for properties further afield.

Older properties tend to have more complex drainage layouts. The 1930s semi-detached estates in Harborne and Edgbaston often have long clay pipe runs with multiple junctions, while newer builds in Solihull typically have shorter, more accessible PVC systems. The age and layout of the drainage affects the time needed on site, which in turn affects the CCTV drain survey cost.

If the survey uncovers damage that needs attention, we can quote for drain repairs on the same visit. Our Birmingham drain services team carry repair equipment on every van, so we can often deal with minor issues there and then.

Questions we get asked

How much does a CCTV drain survey cost?

A basic look-and-see survey costs between £85 and £165. A full domestic survey with a written HD report runs from £150 to £350. A homebuyer drain survey for a property purchase is typically £200 to £400, depending on the size of the property and the number of pipe runs.

Do I need a CCTV drain survey when buying a house?

It is not a legal requirement, but we strongly recommend it. A homebuyer drain survey reveals cracked pipes, root damage, displaced joints, and pitch-fibre deterioration that a standard RICS homebuyer report will not pick up. The cost of a survey is far less than the cost of unexpected drain repair bills after you have exchanged contracts.

What does a CCTV drain survey include?

A full survey includes HD camera footage of every accessible pipe run, a drainage plan showing pipe routes and chamber positions, annotated images of any defects, WRc condition gradings, and written recommendations for repair or maintenance. You receive the report as a digital file within one to two working days.

How long does a CCTV drain survey take?

A standard domestic survey on a typical three-bedroom property takes between 45 minutes and 90 minutes on site. Larger properties or commercial premises can take two to three hours. The written report follows within one to two working days.