Commercial Drain Surveys
Surveys for businesses, landlords and managing agents, for planned upkeep, pre-lease checks and compliance, with as little disruption as possible.
What is a commercial drain survey?
A commercial drain survey is a CCTV check of the drains at a business, industrial site or block of flats. Ask for the survey to fit around how your site runs, including out of hours if needed. Ask for coded reports for upkeep, compliance, pre-lease checks or a group of sites.
Commercial drains tend to be larger, busier and more complex than those at home. Since downtime costs money, ask for a survey that fits around how your site runs, including out-of-hours slots if anyone offers them.
You might need pre-lease checks, planned upkeep, a survey for your insurer or the cause of a fault across a site. Whatever the reason, ask for clear, coded reports. You can then act on them yourself or hand them to your contractors.
For more detail, read how to read a drain survey report and what a CCTV drain survey costs.
When you need a commercial drain survey
- You are taking on, renewing or selling a commercial lease
- You need planned, preventative drainage maintenance
- An insurer or compliance regime requires drainage records
- A recurring fault is affecting trading or operations
- You manage a portfolio and need consistent reporting
Why it matters
Minimal disruption
Ask whether a flexible slot is possible, including out of hours, to protect trading. That way, the survey can fit around your business.
Portfolio-ready reporting
Ask for the same coded report format on each site, to suit managing agents and groups of sites. You can then compare one property with another.
Due diligence
A survey shows the state of the drains before you sign a lease or take on a property. You then go in knowing what you are taking on. If the survey flags a problem, you can renegotiate or walk away.
What it usually includes
Ask the engineer to confirm what their quote covers, since this varies.
- A survey scoped to the site and its access constraints
- WRc/MSCC-coded reporting in a consistent, comparable format
- Drainage plans where they are useful
- A planned-maintenance recommendation where relevant
- Out-of-hours slots to ask about, to protect trading
How it works
- 01
Scope the site
First, agree access, timing and how much of the system to cover. Since every commercial site runs differently, ask for the plan to fit yours.
- 02
Survey & code
Next, the engineer films the network. Ask them to code each defect to the standard, and to flag anything that could affect trading or compliance.
- 03
Report & plan
Finally, ask for a clear report and, where useful, an upkeep plan. You can then act on it, or pass it to your facilities team.
How much does a commercial drain survey cost?
The price of a commercial drain survey depends on the size and complexity of the system, and on any access needs. Several sites or planned upkeep usually get a price for the whole programme instead. Tell us about the site, and ask for a written quote before any work starts.
What affects the price
- The size and complexity of the drainage network
- Access constraints and whether out-of-hours work is needed
- How many sites are involved
- Whether ongoing planned maintenance is required
Each job gets its own price. Send us the details, with no obligation. Ask for a written quote before any work starts.
Request a no-obligation quote →Commercial Drain Survey — your questions answered
How much does a commercial drain survey cost?
It depends on the size and complexity of the system, and on any access needs. Several sites or planned upkeep usually get a price for the whole programme. Ask for a written quote before any work starts.
Are out-of-hours surveys possible?
Ask about evening or weekend slots when you send your request. Many surveys can fit around trading hours, which keeps disruption low.
Can I request surveys for several sites?
You can send a request for several sites. Ask for the same report format on each, since that makes them easy to compare for managing agents and facilities teams.
Is planned preventative maintenance available?
Ask for it in your request. Where a site has repeat problems or critical drains, a planned upkeep programme can stop costly failures before they happen.
Further reading
Get a commercial drain survey quote
Tell us what you need and where you are, and we'll pass your request on straight away. There's no obligation. Ask for a written quote, then decide.