What does sewer unblocking cost? How the price is determined

In this article we deliberately do not mention amounts. Every blockage is different, and a price quoted on the internet without context means little. However, we can explain which factors count, so you can compare quotes and ask the right questions. At PandFix you will hear in advance what it will cost.

What does the price of drain unblocking depend on?

• The location of the blockage. A blockage in a trap or in the pipe indoors is resolved faster than a blockage in the soil stack or in the outside sewer under the garden or drive.
• Accessibility. Is there an access point or inspection chamber the technician can reach? Does the toilet need to come off, does he need to go into a crawl space, or is the pipe behind panelling? The easier the access, the shorter the work.
• The length of the pipe. The further the blockage is from the access point, the longer it takes and the heavier the equipment needed.
• The type of blockage and the method. A loose blockage can often be cleared with a drain snake or machine. Grease deposits, sand or roots sometimes require high-pressure cleaning, which takes more time and equipment.
• Whether a camera inspection is needed. For a blockage that keeps coming back, inspection is often wiser than unblocking again.
• The time. Outside office hours, at the weekend or on a public holiday, many companies charge a surcharge. Emergency on a busy day can also count.
• Repair afterwards. If the pipe turns out to be damaged or subsided, the repair is a separate job with its own price.

Cost of sewer unblocking per metre: what does that tell you?

Some companies charge (partly) per metre of pipe. That sounds straightforward, but you rarely know in advance how many metres will be needed. Therefore always ask what is included in the price: call-out, the first hour or the first metres, the use of high pressure and any camera inspection. That way you compare quotes on the same basis.

What does a CCTV inspection of the sewer cost?

Here too: it depends on the situation. Factors include:

• or whether the pipe needs to be cleaned first, because a camera can only see anything in a clean pipe (which is why an inspection often goes together with unblocking);
• the length of pipe being inspected;
• how accessible the pipe is;
• or whether the location of a break or subsidence also needs to be determined at the surface, so that digging can be targeted.

A CCTV inspection costs something, but often prevents you from having to unblock repeatedly or dig in the wrong place. More explanation can be found on the sewer CCTV inspection page.

How PandFix determines the price

1. You call or make a request. We ask what is happening: which drains, is water coming up, since when, and is there an access point or inspection chamber.
2. You'll hear the price in advance. Based on your description, we'll tell you what it will cost, even if it's outside office hours.
3. We'll discuss on site. If more turns out to be needed, for example a camera inspection, you'll hear that before we continue.
4. Afterwards we explain what the cause was and how you can prevent recurrence.

Who pays, and does the insurance cover it?

Whether you pay yourself depends on where the blockage is and whether you rent or own. We explain this in sewer blocked: who pays?. Whether an insurance contributes to unblocking or to damage from water nuisance varies by policy. Check your policy terms or ask your insurer.

How to keep costs down

• Know where the access point or inspection chamber is and clear it in advance.
• For a single drain, first try cleaning the trap yourself.
• Do not use chemical drain cleaner; it makes the work more difficult and dangerous for the technician.
• Can it wait (no water coming up)? Then schedule during office hours.
• Does the blockage keep coming back? Then have the cause identified straight away instead of unblocking repeatedly.

We work in The Hague and Delft, among other places. Would you like to try it yourself first? Then read about unblocking sewers yourself with high pressure or a snake.