A pre-purchase drain survey uses a camera to check the pipes before you buy. It can show cracks, roots, displaced joints and old repairs. These faults sit underground, yet they can be costly to fix.
A general property survey looks at the building, while a camera inspection of underground drains may not come with it. Ask your solicitor or surveyor what yours covers. A drain survey fills that gap if the pipes worry you.
The survey is a type of CCTV drain survey. If a problem shows up, a drainage investigation can trace it further, although not every survey finds one.
A survey shows the condition of a pipe. It does not show who owns it. Ask your solicitor to check the title deeds for shared drains, since the deeds usually say how repair costs are split.
Ownership in Scotland depends on where the pipe runs. A drain that serves only one property belongs to its owner, while a pipe that serves several properties is usually a sewer. Scottish Water says a drain that leaves the boundary becomes a public sewer.
Book the survey early, and ask the seller to allow access to manholes, since a locked or buried cover can delay the survey. Share the findings with your solicitor before you commit. If the report shows damage, ask for a repair quote, so you know the cost before you decide.
The seller needs to allow access to the property and its manholes. Your solicitor or agent can ask for this. Plan ahead, since a missing cover can slow things down.
A camera travels along each accessible run while it records the pipe condition. Tell the engineer which parts of the drain you most want checked. Ask what the camera could not reach.
The footage and notes show defects and where they sit. Ask the engineer to explain which defects matter most. Some faults are minor, while others need a repair.
Share the report with your solicitor. It may help you ask for repairs or a price change, although the seller decides how to respond. Keep a copy for future reference.
The engineer who takes your job runs a separate business, so the engineer sets the price, the arrival time and any guarantee. Use these questions to compare quotes, since answers differ from one engineer to the next. Write the answers down, because a written note helps if the job changes.
However, the guides disagree, so treat the figures as a wide range. less.co.uk gives £150 to £350 for a homebuyer survey. MyJobQuote gives £250 to £350 for a pre-purchase survey that covers the inspection and the report only.
These are not Dundee quotes. Ask whether the price includes the footage and a written report. Then ask for the quote in writing before work starts, since the scope varies.
Nothing here says you must have one. A general property survey looks at the building, yet it may not include a camera inspection of underground drains. Ask your solicitor or surveyor what your survey covers, and consider a drain survey if the pipes worry you.
A general surveyor may note signs of drainage trouble, such as damp, while a camera survey of underground drains is a separate job. Ask your surveyor whether it comes with the survey you booked. If not, you can book a drain survey on its own.
Book it early, so you can see the findings before you commit to the purchase. Ask your solicitor how a survey fits your timetable. Allow time for the seller to give access, since access needs agreeing.
You can ask your solicitor how to raise the findings with the seller. You can also ask for a repair quote, since knowing the likely cost helps you decide how to proceed. Keep the footage and the report safe.