The short answer
Clearing a blocked drain in the UK typically costs £85–£450. Simple rodding runs about £85–£140; high-pressure water jetting about £200–£300; a CCTV drain survey £275–£450. If a pipe is collapsed and needs excavation or relining, repairs can run into four figures. Out-of-hours and emergency call-outs cost more.
The honest answer is that price depends on the method needed — and you often don't know that until someone looks. Knowing the going rates stops you overpaying for a simple job.
Typical UK costs
- Rodding (simple blockage)£85–£140
- High-pressure jetting£200–£300
- CCTV drain survey£275–£450
- Out-of-hours premium+£50–£150
- Collapsed-pipe repair£1,000s
Cost by method
Drainage is priced by how hard the blockage is to shift. A plunger-or-rods job near the surface is cheap; a blockage deep in the run that needs jetting costs more; and finding the cause of a recurring blockage means a camera survey.
| Method | Typical cost | When it's used |
|---|---|---|
| Rodding | £85–£140 | near-surface blockages |
| Water jetting | £200–£300 | stubborn fat/debris build-up |
| CCTV survey | £275–£450 | recurring blocks / finding the cause |
| Excavation / relining | £1,000+ | collapsed or root-damaged pipe |
Indicative UK ranges. Source: Checkatrade / drainage trade cost guides.
Call-out fees and premiums
- Call-out: some firms charge a call-out then clearance on top; others quote all-in. Ask which.
- Out-of-hours: nights, weekends and bank holidays carry a premium.
- No-fix policies: reputable firms are clear about what happens if they can't clear it first time.
Frequently asked questions
Why are some drain quotes so much higher?
Usually because of the method — jetting and CCTV surveys cost more than simple rodding — or out-of-hours premiums. Ask for the method and an all-in price before work starts.
Is a call-out fee normal?
Some firms charge a separate call-out plus clearance; others quote all-in. Neither is wrong, but always confirm which so there are no surprises.
How much is a CCTV drain survey?
Typically £275–£450. It's worth it for recurring blockages or before buying a property, because it finds the underlying cause rather than just clearing the symptom.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published cost guides and are intended as guidance, not a quotation.