Getting a Second Opinion on a Drain Repair Quote

Have you been told your drains are broken and need an expensive repair? Before you agree to anything, it’s worth getting a second opinion. Plenty of drain repair quotes are perfectly fair, but some aren’t, and the only way to know is to have someone else look at the evidence. Here’s how we help homeowners in Stockport check a drain repair quote.

If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it

Our customers hear us say this a lot. We won’t tell you that your drains are broken unless we’re sure. Unfortunately, many people are talked into work they don’t need. Back in 2018 alone, we confirmed this had happened on more than 50 jobs we were asked to look at.

That’s why we’re happy to look at another company’s findings and tell you honestly what we think. If you already have the CCTV footage, reviewing it is free.

When to get a second opinion

• You’ve been quoted for an excavation or a large repair
• You’ve been told the “whole system” needs replacing
• You were called out for a simple blockage and left with a big repair quote
• You haven’t been shown any camera footage of the problem
• You’re being pushed to decide on the spot

How it works

• Send us what you’ve got. The CCTV survey footage, the report and the quote. WhatsApp is the easiest way. Reviewing footage you already have costs nothing.
• We review it. We look at whether the defect is clearly shown, where it is and whether the repair matches the problem.
• We tell you straight. Whether the quote looks reasonable, whether a cheaper repair might work, or whether it needs more investigation. If we can’t tell from the footage, we’ll say so.

What if there’s no footage?

If you haven’t got footage, or it doesn’t show enough, we’d need to survey the drain ourselves. That’s charged at our normal CCTV drain survey prices: a look-see survey is £150 + VAT, and a single-line survey with a written report, for answers about one particular drain, is £220 + VAT.

What to look for in a survey report

• Clear footage of the defect. You should be able to see the crack, displaced joint or collapse yourself.
• A location. A good report says how far along the pipe the defect is, from which access point.
• A repair that fits the problem. One cracked joint doesn’t usually need a whole run replacing. A single defect can often be sealed with a no-dig patch repair. We do patch repairs only.
• A reason for digging. If excavation is recommended, the report should explain why a no-dig repair won’t work.
• Blockage or damage? Debris, scale or roots in a pipe aren’t the same as a broken pipe. Some can be cleared without any repair.

Red flags

• “We can’t give you a price until we start”
• “This price is only good for today”
• Footage that doesn’t show the defect they’ve described
• Pressure to pay a large deposit straight away

Our guide on how to beat drainage cowboys covers more warning signs.

Ask us for a second opinion

We’re a family-run drainage company based in Cheadle, covering Didsbury, Stockport and the surrounding areas. WhatsApp us your footage, report and quote for a free review, or call 07375 521027 to talk it through.