How Much Does a Drainage Specialist Cost in the UK?
A drainage specialist in the UK typically charges £70–£150 to clear a blocked drain, rising to £300+ for jetting, CCTV surveys, or excavation.
Updated June 2026 · Typical UK ranges · Methodology below
Quick answer
A drainage specialist in the UK typically charges £70–£150 per job, with a call-out / emergency fee of £80–£150. These are typical ranges — your actual quote depends on region, job complexity, time of day, materials, and whether the trade is independent or an agency. Always get an itemised quote first.
Typical 2026 Drainage Specialist Costs
| Job | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Clear a blocked drain | £70–£150 |
| Emergency call-out | £80–£150 |
| High-pressure jetting | £150–£400 |
| CCTV drain survey | £180–£300 |
| Drain repair (no-dig lining) | £300–£1,500 |
| Excavate and replace pipe | £1,000–£4,000 |
What Affects a Drainage Specialist’s Price?
Blockage vs damage. Clearing a simple blockage is cheap; if the drain is collapsed or root-damaged, a survey and repair cost far more.
Access and depth. A shallow, accessible drain is quick; deep runs under a driveway or extension push up excavation costs.
Survey first. For recurring blockages, a CCTV survey (£180–£300) is worth it — it finds the cause so you fix it once instead of repeatedly clearing it.
Who is responsible. Shared drains may be the water company’s responsibility, not yours — worth checking before you pay for major work.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to unblock a drain in the UK?
Clearing a simple blocked drain typically costs £70–£150. A stubborn or root-related blockage may need high-pressure jetting at £150–£400. For recurring problems, a CCTV survey (£180–£300) finds the underlying cause.
How much is a CCTV drain survey?
A CCTV drain survey typically costs £180–£300. It is commonly done before buying a house, or to diagnose a recurring blockage, because it shows exactly where and why the drain is failing so you can fix the right thing.
How we work out these figures
Figures are typical 2026 UK price ranges, not a single measured GeraHome price. They are compiled from publicly published UK tradesperson rate surveys and standard hourly/day-rate conventions, then expressed as a low–to–high band because real quotes vary with region, job complexity, access, materials, time of day, and whether the trade is independent or an agency. London and the South East typically run 20–40% above the national average; the North, Midlands, Wales and Northern Ireland typically sit below it. Always get an upfront, itemised quote before work begins.
These are typical ranges, not a single GeraHome-measured price. We publish honest bands rather than invent a precise per-city number we do not have.
Hiring guides
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Find a Drainage SpecialistRelated from Gera
- All UK trade cost guides
- How to find a trusted tradesperson
- UK home care provider directory — real CQC-registered counts by local authority.
- Gera Action Warranty — how eligible GeraHome bookings are protected.