10 Questions to Ask a Drainage Specialist Before You Book
A five-minute conversation before you book tells you most of what you need to know about a drainage specialist. Here are the ten questions that matter, and what a good answer sounds like.
About the business
- How long have you been trading under this name?
- Can I see photos of similar recent jobs, or speak to a past customer?
- Where can I read your reviews?
- Do you hold public liability insurance, and can I see the certificate?
- Do you hold no licensing scheme — check insurance and equipment?
About the quote and the money
The answer you want to every one of these is “it's in writing”.
- Is this a fixed quote or an estimate, and what could change it?
- Does the price include materials, VAT and waste removal?
- What deposit do you need, and what is it for?
- How are stage payments linked to completed work?
- How will changes or extras be agreed and priced?
What good answers sound like
Good drainage specialists answer these questions readily and put the answers in writing without being asked twice. Evasive answers, or irritation at being asked, tell you how the rest of the job will go.
Typical fair pricing for context: Unblocking a drain typically costs £80–£150. A CCTV drain survey runs £150–£350; repairs vary enormously — patch lining a section might be £400–£800, while excavation runs into thousands.
Get it in writing
Ask for the agreed answers to appear in the written quote or a simple contract. If anything changes mid-job, confirm the new price and scope by text or email before work continues. Clear paperwork protects you and the trade equally.
Check a company now
Search UK trade companies and read their combined reviews before you hire.
Browse companies