Homebuyer Drain Survey — Before You Exchange
A standard homebuyer survey doesn't look inside the drains. A drain survey does — before you exchange contracts, before you're committed, and before any problems become yours to fix.
Your Local Drainage is based in Bournemouth and carries out CCTV drain surveys for property buyers across England and Wales. We produce a written report with recorded footage — suitable for your solicitor, your lender, or your own records.
Why a Drain Survey Before Buying a Property
Drainage problems are expensive. A collapsed pipe, a failed soakaway, or a drain running through the wrong route can cost thousands to repair — and none of it shows up in a visual property inspection or a standard survey.
If there's a problem, you know about it before exchange — and you have options.
What the survey gives you options to do :
Renegotiate the purchase price to reflect the repair cost
Request the vendor carries out the repair before exchange
Walk away from a purchase where the drainage problems are serious
Proceed with confidence if the survey is clear
Without the survey, you inherit whatever is down there — and drainage problems don't announce themselves until they cause a blockage or a failure.
What a Homebuyer Drain Survey Covers
We pass a camera through the accessible drainage pipework at the property. We record the footage and produce a written report.
The survey identifies:
Cracks, fractures, and structural damage to pipes
Displaced or open joints — common in older clay drainage
Root intrusion — location, severity, and extent
Pipe deformation — sagging sections and collapsed runs
Soakaway condition where accessible
Build-up and partial blockages
General condition and material of the pipework
What the Report Includes
You receive a written report and recorded footage — not a verbal summary. The report is produced to a professional standard and is suitable for use in a property transaction.
The report includes :
Written description of each defect found with pipe location reference
Condition grading for each drain section inspected
Recommendations — repair required, monitor, or no action
Recorded camera footage of the full survey run
We don't produce a report that says everything is fine when it isn't, and we don't manufacture defects that aren't there. The report reflects what the camera shows.
When to Book a Homebuyer Drain Survey
The best time is after your offer has been accepted but before exchange of contracts. This gives you time to review the report and negotiate with the vendor if the survey finds a problem.
We can usually arrange a survey within a few days of booking. Access can be arranged through the estate agent if the property is empty.
Coverage
We're based in Bournemouth and cover a wide area across England and Wales.
Core Areas
Emergency & Planned Work
Dorset - BH, DT
Hampshire - SO, PO
Wiltshire - SP, SN, BA
Somerset- BA, TA
Berkshire - RG, SL
Extended Area
Emergency & Planned Work
Oxfordshire - OX
Surrey - GU, RH
West Sussex - PO, BN
Devon - EX
Monmouthshire - NP
Warwickshire - CV
South Wales - NP, CF
Buckinghamshire - MK, HP
Worcestershire - WR
Cheshire - SK, CW
Further Reach
Planned Work
Gloucestershire - GL
Herefordshire - HR
East Sussex - BN, TN
Northamptonshire - NN
Bedfordshire - LU, MK
Hertfordshire - AL, WD
Gtr Manchester - M, SK
Merseyside - L, CH
Not sure if you're covered?
Call 0330 128 1329 with your postcode — we'll tell you straight away.
FAQS
Homebuyer Drain Survey — Common Questions
How much does a homebuyer drain survey cost?
Does a standard homebuyer survey cover the drains?
No. A standard Level 2 or Level 3 homebuyer survey carried out by a RICS surveyor does not include a CCTV inspection of the drainage system. A dedicated drain survey is a separate exercise.
Can I get a drain survey done before my offer is accepted?
Yes — but most buyers wait until an offer is accepted before commissioning surveys, to avoid spending money on a purchase that falls through. Once your offer is accepted, the sooner you book the drain survey the better.
What if the survey finds a problem?
The report documents what it is, where it is, and what we recommend. You can use this to renegotiate the price, request a repair before exchange, or decide whether to proceed. We can also quote for the repair if you want a cost to put to the vendor.
How long does the survey take?
Most residential homebuyer drain surveys take 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the size of the property and number of access points. We'll give you an estimated duration when you book.
Is a drain survey the same as a structural survey?
No. A drain survey looks inside the underground drainage pipework using a camera. A structural survey assesses the above-ground structure. They're complementary — a structural survey won't find a collapsed drain pipe.