Should You Get a CCTV Drain Survey When Buying a House?
When buying a house, drainage problems can be assessed with a CCTV drain survey, a hi-tech inspection to check for current issues or factors that may cause future problems.
A CCTV drainage survey is less invasive than a standard drainage survey. The way they work is that an operator places cameras where the drains can be inspected and observed remotely.
Local water authorities often require a CCTV if you get a Build Over Agreement for a sewer or manhole. This article covers whether you should get a CCTV drainage survey and how much they would cost.
What is a CCTV drain survey?
A CCTV drainage survey involves placing a high-resolution camera into the drains to inspect specific areas of concern. A drain survey takes between 1 and 2 hours. Once the operatives have gathered sufficient data, they will provide you with clear options and costs for remediations. Here is what a CCTV drainage survey can discover:
- Blockages and leaks
- Displaced joints
- Minor and major tree root ingress
- Corrosion, wear and tear
- Cracked and collapsed drains
- Scale build-up
- Signs of poor insulation or displacement
How much does a CCTV drain survey cost?
Costs for a CCTV drain survey in 2026 depend on the type of survey you order:
Price range (EXC VAT) | Description |
|---|---|
Price range (EXC VAT) £65-£165 | Description Basic drain survey without a follow-up report. |
Price range (EXC VAT) £90-£200 | Description Slightly more detailed drain survey. Price depends on the condition of the system, location, ease of access, and other factors. |
Price range (EXC VAT) £200-£350 | Description The highest package you can order comes with a full CCTV drainage survey, footage, still images, and more. |
What is the difference between a basic and a full survey?
There are a couple of options to choose from in regards to a drain survey:
- Basic survey: Drains are checked with a high-inspection camera. Following the inspection, the specialist will inform you of any issues with the drains. A report, however, is not provided in this option.
- Full survey: This includes everything from the basic survey, but with more thorough reporting. The specialist will provide you with a detailed report of the drains, a local map of the drains in the area, footage from the inspection, and images alongside the footage.
Why do I need a CCTV drain survey as a homebuyer?
Buying a house is a big milestone for many people, but it can also come with many headaches. Many drainage issues are hidden, which is why it's important that you get a CCTV drain survey before purchasing the property. There are several reasons why you would need a CCTV drain survey:
Does a RICS Home Survey check drains for the buyer?
The RICS level 2 and 3 Home Surveys do inspect the drains, but it is only a visual inspection, and they won't be able to see past the direct under the access cover. In the RICS scope of work for Home Surveys, it states: Inspection chambers and underground drainage: The RICS member will lift accessible inspection chamber covers to drains or septic tanks and visually inspect them, where safe to do so and without causing damage, and visually inspect the chamber(s).
Source: RICS: Scope of inspection: Home Survey
Purchasing a property
It's important to understand the potential pitfalls of purchasing a house. While a home survey is needed, you should also get a CCTV drain survey for peace of mind. As stated, many drainage issues can remain hidden without proper inspection cameras.
Additionally, identifying an issue that can worsen over time can help negotiate a lower price. For example, spending around £200 on a survey can result in £1,500-£3,000 being taken off the property price. These are the considerations you should keep in mind when purchasing a property.
Stop pest infestations in their tracks
Having a pest infestation, such as Rats or Mice, can cause serious health issues if left unresolved. If you're unsure of where they could be coming from, ensure they're not getting through a broken drain. The survey can identify where they are entering your home, allowing you to take preventive measures.
Speed of deployment and removal of cameras
Operatives who conduct a drain survey without CCTV equipment will take far longer to inspect a property. This is because they will need to dig up the drains in order to inspect them. CCTV drain cameras can save you plenty of time and money.
CCTV’s precision in finding the exact locations of issues
Once a fault’s been located, engineers can be far more accurate about targeting and fixing a problem without causing further damage to a property.
When is a CCTV drain survey a requirement?
As mentioned above, if you get a build over agreement, you're often required by the local authorities to get a drain survey if your building extension is near public sewers. This is to prove to the water authorities that the pipes are in working condition and your extension has not impacted the infrastructure in any way.
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Andrew started his career in 2000 working within conveyancing solicitor firms and grew hands-on knowledge of a wide variety of conveyancing challenges and solutions. After helping in excess of 50,000 clients in his career, he uses all this experience within his article writing for SAM, mainstream media and his self published book How to Buy a House Without Killing Anyone.
Caragh is an excellent writer and copy editor of books, news articles and editorials. She has written extensively for SAM for a variety of conveyancing, survey, property law and mortgage-related articles.
