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Septic Tank & Drainage Surveys

Buying, selling or just unsure what's under the garden? A septic tank survey or drain survey tells you what system you have, what condition it's in, where it drains, and whether it's likely to meet the general binding rules.

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  • Assessment before any recommendation
  • Written quote that says what's included
  • Building Regulations and permits explained
  • Ground put back as agreed
On this page
  1. Who it's for
  2. What's covered
  3. Selling a home
  4. Cost
  5. Questions

Who it's for

When a survey pays for itself

Buying a rural homeKnow whether the system needs replacing before you commit, not after you move in.
SellingSellers must give the buyer written details of the system. A survey gives you the facts to share.
Problems at homeSmells, wet ground or slow drains, and you want to know why before spending money.
Lenders and solicitorsQuestions about compliance often come up during conveyancing.

What's covered

What a drainage survey and septic tank inspection look at

A survey identifies the type of system (septic tank, treatment plant or cesspool), its condition and size, how the pipes run from the house, and where the treated water ends up. It looks for signs of a failing drainage field and checks the arrangement against the general binding rules, including whether a septic tank drains straight to a ditch or stream.

Where pipes need checking from the inside, a camera survey can show cracks, root intrusion and collapses without digging. Please confirm with your surveyor whether a CCTV drain survey is included.

Selling a home

What sellers must provide

Under the general binding rules, when a property with a septic tank or treatment plant is sold, the seller must tell the new owner in writing that a sewage discharge is in place. That note should describe the system and drainage, show where the main parts and the discharge point are, list any changes, and include maintenance details and records where available. Read the gov.uk guidance.

Cost

What affects the price

What's includedA visual inspection, a dye test, or a full camera survey of the pipes.
Finding the systemHidden or buried covers and unknown pipe routes take longer.
AccessDistance from the road, gateways and how easy the covers are to lift.
Size of the systemMore chambers, longer runs and outbuildings add time.
ReportingA written report with photos and recommendations for a sale or lender.
UrgencyTight conveyancing deadlines can affect scheduling.

How much does a drain survey cost?

Who it's for

Septic Tank & Drainage Surveys for homes and businesses

For homes

Farmhouses, cottages, barn conversions and new rural homes. We look at how many people the system serves, the ground and the access, then explain the options in plain English.

For farms and businesses

Holiday lets, farm cottages and rural businesses often need bigger or busier systems, and volume limits matter. Farms and businesses

Planning

Planning your project

Scope

What the system serves, what's there now, and what needs to change.

Access

Room for machinery or a tanker, gateways, slopes and soft ground.

Approvals

Building Regulations, any permit, and planning where it applies.

Aftercare

Emptying, servicing and the paperwork you'll need if you sell.

Not sure which service you need?

Tell us what you've noticed. Photos of the access covers or the area around the system help if you have them, but they're optional. We'll tell you what's worth looking at first.

Start an enquiry

Questions

Septic Tank & Drainage Surveys questions

How much does a drain survey cost?

It depends on what's included, how easy the system is to find and access, and whether a camera survey is needed. Our drain survey cost guide explains the factors.

Do I need a septic tank survey when buying a house?

It isn't a legal requirement, but it's strongly advisable. A failing or non-compliant system can be expensive to put right, and that cost is better known before exchange.

What happens if the survey finds a problem?

You'll get a clear explanation of the issue and the options, from repair to replacement or an upgrade, so you can decide or negotiate with the facts.

Will the survey tell me if the system meets the rules?

It checks the arrangement against the general binding rules, such as where it discharges and the type of system. Some questions, like protected sites nearby, may need further checks.

Want a clear answer for your property?

Tell us what's happening and roughly where you are. No need to know what type of system you have.

Request a site assessment

From the blog

Buying a house with a septic tankWhat to check, what to ask the seller, and when to get a survey.How much does a drain survey cost?What a drainage survey covers and what affects the price.Signs your septic tank is failingThe warning signs to look for in the garden and the house, and what each usually means.

Related services

Septic Tank ReplacementWhen a system has failed, is too old, or no longer meets the rules.Domestic Sewage Treatment PlantsHome treatment plants for upgrades and new builds.Septic Tank InstallationNew tanks with a correctly sized drainage field.Drainage FieldsNew and replacement drainage fields, designed from ground testing.Septic Tank EmptyingEmptying and desludging for septic tanks, treatment plants and cesspools.Septic Tank & Treatment Plant ServicingRegular servicing and maintenance to keep a system working and within the rules.Septic Tank RepairsBroken pipes, baffles, lids, pumps and blowers, fixed where a repair makes sense.CCTV Drain SurveysCamera surveys of the pipes between the house, the tank and the outlet.