Drainage Consultancy
& Site Investigations
Expert drainage advice for homeowners, developers, contractors and commercial clients.
Flowcraft Groundworks provides practical drainage consultancy for sites where the cause of the problem is unclear, previous repairs have failed, or a proper drainage strategy is required before works begin.
We help identify the problem, explain the available options, and recommend a sensible way forward.
Pick the right level of consultancy
For Homeowners
Domestic Drainage Consultation
Practical on-site investigation and professional advice for domestic drainage problems where a formal technical or regulatory report is not required.
- Initial site visit
- Visual drainage assessment
- Practical investigation and diagnosis
- Advice and recommendations
- Follow-up summary by email
Suitable for straightforward domestic drainage problems. Where detailed CCTV investigation, drainage mapping, formal technical reporting or regulatory assessment is required, the appropriate investigation level will be confirmed before booking. £100 credited against remedial works instructed within 90 days.
Complex Drainage Systems
Drainage Investigation & Technical Report
For more complex or poorly understood drainage systems requiring detailed investigation and a formal technical report.
- Detailed site investigation
- CCTV investigation where required
- Controlled flow testing / drainage tracing where required
- Drainage layout assessment
- Technical findings
- Remedial recommendations
- Detailed written report
Typical applications
- Unknown or complicated drainage layouts
- Inaccessible or buried drainage
- Multiple drainage branches requiring identification
- Recurring or unexplained drainage defects
- Drainage beneath extensions or buildings
- Investigations requiring a documented remedial strategy
Final pricing depends upon the complexity of the drainage system, extent of investigation required and level of reporting required.
Third-Party & Regulatory
Regulatory / Building Control Drainage Investigation
Specialist drainage investigation and technical reporting where the findings are intended to support consideration by Building Control or another professional third party.
- Detailed site investigation
- CCTV investigation and drainage tracing where required
- Review of existing drawings, correspondence and available information
- Relevant regulatory assessment
- Remedial options and recommendations
- Formal technical report suitable for third-party review
Typical applications
- Approved Document H drainage access assessments
- Building Control drainage queries
- Buried or built-over private drainage
- Public/private drainage investigations
- Build Over Agreement investigations
- Drainage compliance investigations
- Reports required by solicitors, architects, lenders or water companies
Pricing scales according to the complexity of the drainage system, extent of investigation, regulatory research and level of reporting required. Additional consultancy, correspondence or liaison may be charged separately where required. This is a “From £750 + VAT” service rather than a fixed £750 service — more complex regulatory investigations will be individually scoped and priced accordingly.
The Right Level of Investigation From the Start
Every drainage problem is different. Before confirming a price, we will ask a small number of questions to understand what needs to be established, the complexity of the drainage system, who the findings are for and what level of reporting is required.
This allows straightforward drainage problems to remain straightforward, while more complex investigations involving buried drainage, detailed reporting, Building Control or third-party reliance can be properly scoped from the outset.
What we'll ask
- What drainage problem needs to be investigated?
- Is the existing drainage layout known?
- Is CCTV investigation or drainage tracing likely to be required?
- Is a written report required?
- Who requires the report or investigation?
- Is Building Control involved?
- Is the information required by a solicitor, lender, architect, engineer or water company?
- Is there buried, inaccessible or built-over drainage?
- Are there existing plans, drawings, previous surveys or correspondence that can be provided before the visit?
Send us the available information, drawings or correspondence and we will confirm the appropriate level of investigation before booking.
Send Us the DetailsOur Drainage Investigation Levels
Every level below is a starting price. The right level is confirmed with you before booking, once we understand the purpose, complexity and the deliverable you need.
| Service | Price | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| CCTV / Reactive Drain Survey | From £200 + VAT | Drainage inspected, the problem identified and practical advice given. No formal written report. |
| CCTV Drain Survey + Written Report | From £350 + VAT | A CCTV condition survey with documented findings, images and recommendations. |
| Domestic Drainage Consultation | From £350 + VAT | Practical investigation, diagnosis and professional advice, with an email summary rather than a formal technical report. |
| Drainage Investigation + Technical Report | From £650 + VAT | Detailed investigation of complex or poorly understood drainage, with a formal technical report. |
| Regulatory / Building Control Drainage Investigation | From £750 + VAT | Investigation and technical reporting intended for Building Control or another professional third party. |
Two services at £350 — which one do you need?
These are deliberately different pieces of work at the same starting price. The difference is what you walk away with.
CCTV Drain Survey + Report
Primarily a CCTV condition survey with documented findings. You get a written record of the condition of the drainage.
CCTV drain surveysDomestic Drainage Consultation
Primarily investigation, diagnosis and professional advice, with an email summary rather than a formal technical report.
Drainage consultancyIs the investigation for Building Control or another professional third party?
If the investigation or report is required by Building Control, a solicitor, architect, engineer, lender, buyer, water company or another third party, please tell us before booking.
These investigations can require additional site investigation, evidence gathering, drainage tracing, regulatory assessment and technical reporting and are therefore scoped and priced separately from a standard CCTV drain survey.
Investigations that trigger further scoping before a price is confirmed
What's Covered
Common Homeowner Issues
- Surface water drainage issues
- Failed soakaways
- Flooding gardens or driveways
- Repeated blockages
- Poor falls or suspected pipe defects
- Drainage issues affecting extensions or building works
- Advice before instructing remedial works
Suitable For
- Drainage problem diagnosis
- Surface water strategy
- Foul drainage strategy
- Soakaway and attenuation options
- Existing drainage review
- Pre-construction drainage advice
- Remedial works recommendations
- CCTV drain surveys & pre-purchase inspections
- Contractor or client-side drainage support
May Include
- New build or extension drainage strategy
- Surface water discharge options
- Soakaway feasibility
- Attenuation and restricted discharge options
- Foul drainage options
- Practical review of site constraints
- Recommendations for further surveys, testing or approvals
Related guide: What Is a French Drain?
Why use a drainage consultant?
Drainage problems are often misdiagnosed. A blocked pipe, failed soakaway, poor falls, unsuitable ground conditions or overloaded system can all create similar symptoms.
A proper assessment at the start can prevent wasted money, unnecessary excavation and unsuitable remedial works.
Flowcraft Groundworks provides advice based on real site experience, practical construction knowledge and drainage problem-solving.
CCTV as part of your consultancy
CCTV drain surveys play a key role in the consultancy process. We use them to gather visual evidence, verify existing drainage assumptions, trace and map pipe runs, and build accurate surface water and foul drainage strategies.
Where a CCTV survey is required as part of your consultation or strategy report, we can carry this out during the same visit — giving you a complete picture of your site's drainage before any decisions are made.
Related service: Private Drainage & Wastewater Surveys
Related guides: How Do You Find Out Where Underground Drains Run? · What Is a BRE 365 Soakaway Test? · Buying a Property With a Septic Tank: What Should Be Checked?
Following up a home survey recommendation? Read: Does a Level 3 Home Survey Include a Drainage Survey?
Payment Terms
Published prices are starting prices. Final pricing is confirmed once the purpose, complexity and required deliverable are understood.
Initial site visits are payable upfront.
Follow-on consultancy on technical and regulatory investigations is invoiced fortnightly.
Additional consultancy is charged hourly.
Mileage is charged at 70p per mile where applicable.
Domestic consultation credit (£100) is only applied where recommended remedial works are instructed within 90 days.
Consultancy fees are non-refundable once the appointment has taken place.
Most drainage issues can be assessed during the initial consultation. Additional consultancy is only charged where further investigation, reporting, design input, meetings or ongoing support are requested.
Ready To Start
Your Project?
Drop us a WhatsApp with a quick description and some photos. We'll review everything and get back to you to arrange a site visit.
Call, WhatsApp or email anytime