The short answer
A CCTV drain inspection in the UK typically costs between £80 and £350, with most domestic inspections falling around £100–£250. The price depends on how much pipework is filmed, how accessible the inspection chambers are, and whether a written report with recorded footage is included. A quick camera check of a single run sits at the lower end, while a full system inspection with a graded report, often used for property purchases or insurance, costs more. If the line must be jetted clear before the camera can pass, that adds to the bill. Always confirm that footage and a written report are part of the price rather than a verbal summary alone.
A CCTV inspection is how an engineer sees the real condition of a drain rather than guessing. The sections below cover what it costs, what changes the price, what you should receive for the money, and the situations where paying for one is worthwhile.
At a glance
- Typical range£80–£350
- Common domestic inspection£100–£250
- Pre-purchase / full systemHigher, with report
- Pre-clearance jettingAdds to cost
- Footage + reportConfirm it is included
Typical cost by inspection scope
The cost reflects how much of the network is filmed and how detailed the output is. A single accessible run is cheaper than a full survey of every chamber with a formal report. The inspection uses a small, waterproof camera, mounted on a flexible rod or a small crawler unit, fed into the drain from an inspection chamber. The engineer watches the footage live, usually records it, and notes the condition of the pipe along its length. The figures below are indicative ranges to help you sense-check a quote.
| Inspection scope | Indicative UK cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Single run, basic check | £80–£150 | Camera footage, brief summary |
| Standard domestic inspection | £100–£250 | Footage plus written report |
| Full system / pre-purchase | £150–£350 | All runs, graded report |
| With pipe locating / mapping | £200–£400+ | Routing and depth plotting |
| Jetting before inspection | £100+ extra | If the line must be cleared first |
Indicative figures for guidance only. Prices vary by region, access and report depth.
What affects the price
Within those ranges the cost moves with several factors, and knowing them lets you compare quotes fairly:
- Length filmed: more runs and chambers take more time to inspect.
- Access: easy-to-reach chambers are quicker and cheaper; buried or sealed chambers may need locating or lifting first.
- Report detail: a graded report with photographs and recommendations costs more than a quick verbal summary.
- Pre-clearance: if the drain is partly blocked, it may need jetting before the camera can pass, which adds to the cost.
- Extras: locating and depth mapping for repair planning add to the price, and are often needed before any repair.
- Region: London and the South East are typically above the national average.
The lowest cost is a single accessible run with a brief summary; the highest combines a full system inspection, mapping and pre-clearance jetting. Matching the inspection to what you actually need keeps the spend sensible.
What you should receive for the money
The value of an inspection lies in the evidence it produces, so it is worth being clear on what a thorough one delivers. Expect recorded footage you can keep and replay, a written report describing the condition of the drain and grading any defects by severity, and recommendations on whether any repair is needed and how urgent it is. Many inspections also provide a plan or schematic showing the drain layout and the location of any problems. This documentation is what makes the inspection useful beyond the visit itself: it supports an insurance claim, gives a property buyer evidence to negotiate with, and provides a baseline to compare against if a problem recurs. A verbal summary alone leaves you with nothing to act on or refer back to, so confirm the written output before booking. It is also worth asking how the footage will be supplied, whether as a file you can download or a copy sent to you, and how long the firm keeps a record on file, as you may need to refer back to it months later when commissioning a repair or supporting a claim.
What the camera can reveal — and why it saves money
Part of why an inspection is worth the cost is the range of problems it can identify that are otherwise invisible underground. A camera run can show cracks and fractures in the pipe, displaced or open joints where sections have moved apart, root ingress growing in through gaps, scale and grease build-up narrowing the bore, standing water indicating a dip or partial collapse, and rat activity or debris that points to a defect further along. Each of these has a different remedy, and seeing the actual cause means the right repair is done once rather than money being spent on the wrong fix.
The cost-saving comes from this precision. Without a camera, a recurring blockage tends to be met with repeated clearances that treat the symptom and never last, so you pay again and again. An inspection that reveals, say, a cracked joint lets you reline that one section and end the problem for good. Equally, it can provide reassurance: if the camera shows the pipe is sound and the blockage was simply grease, you know a clearance and better habits are all that is needed, and can avoid being talked into unnecessary excavation. In both directions, the inspection turns guesswork into evidence, which is almost always the more economical path.
When a CCTV inspection is worth it
An inspection earns its cost in specific situations. For a recurring blockage, it finds the underlying cause, such as root ingress, a displaced joint or a partial collapse, so you treat the problem rather than the symptom and avoid paying for repeated clearances that do not last. Before buying a property, it can reveal hidden, expensive defects in underground drains that the buyer would otherwise inherit. It is commonly required to support an insurance claim, as insurers usually want documented evidence of the cause and extent of any damage. It is also the standard first step before quoting a collapsed-drain repair, since the method depends on the pipe's condition.
One check is worth doing first: if the drain is a shared lateral drain or public sewer, your water company may be responsible following the 2011 sewer transfer, and they may inspect it themselves. Confirming responsibility can save you commissioning a private inspection on a pipe that is not yours.
Frequently asked questions
Is a CCTV inspection the same as a drain survey?
They overlap. A CCTV inspection is the camera run itself, while a drain survey usually means that footage plus a written report and assessment. For practical purposes the terms are often used interchangeably, so check what written output is included.
Do I need to clear the drain before a CCTV inspection?
If the drain is partly blocked, it may need jetting first so the camera can pass, which adds to the cost. A clear, accessible drain can be filmed straight away without pre-clearance.
Will I get the footage?
A good inspection provides recorded footage and a written report grading any defects, which is essential for insurance claims and repair planning. Confirm this is included rather than a verbal summary only, and ask whether a plan of the drains is provided.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published cost guides and are intended as guidance, not a quotation.