Drain Relining Cost Guide for 2023

If you are experiencing problems with your drains, you will want to make sure they are clear of blockages, but you will also need to deal with the root cause. It could be that your drains are damaged or have collapsed. One hassle-free way to repair drains is to reline them, and this can cost around £100 per square metre. If you still have a blocked drain, read our drain clearance cost guide first.

How much does it cost to reline a drain in the UK?

How much it costs to reline a drain will depend on a few things, including your location in the country, the length of the drain you need to have relined and whether you already know where and what the problem is. If you don't, you may have to have a CCTV drain survey carried out too.

HaMuch has a large database of daily and hourly rates for drain jobs across the country, but these are the average costs of drain relining and related jobs in the UK:

Job	Average total labour cost
Reline 100mm diameter pipe	£100 per square metre
Reline 150mm diameter pipe	£120 per square metre
Basic CCTV drain survey	£90
Full CCTV drain survey with report	£275
Ground excavation	£200
Drain rodding	£280

What does drain relining involve?

If you have small cracks or defects in your drains, you might start to notice leaks, smells and blockages. If left untreated, it could lead to subsidence on your property, which is incredibly costly and stressful. If your drains don't have any major holes or cracks, relining them is a cost-effective option.

Drain relining involves adding a protective layer to the inside of your drain, which forms a coating to protect against further cracks and damage. To find any defects, you'll usually need a CCTV drain survey carried out first, so the engineer knows how much of your drain they need to reline. If they find blockages, they may rod or jet your drains first to clear them. Small blockages may be included in the price, but expect to pay extra if the specialist has to clear any large blockages.

A drain specialist will fit the drain lining, sometimes known as a professional patch, using a pressurised rod. The lining is a reinforced, leather-like material that is resistant to chemical erosion, so shouldn't be affected by soap or bleach over time.

Usually, a drain specialist won't need to dig up your garden to access and reline your drains, making it a relatively hassle-free experience. However, it is worth bearing in mind that if they have to access the drains from multiple points, this could increase the cost.

Another factor that could increase the cost is the number of lateral cuts that the engineer needs to make. Often, when a pipe is relined, most of its intersections will become blocked. A drain specialist can make lateral cuts to ensure water can flow past the intersections. If they have to make lots of cuts, you should expect the cost to be higher.

How long does drain relining last?

If done properly, drain relining should last a very long time - around 50 years. When gathering quotes, it's worth asking the drain specialists whether their work will meet the Water Industry Specifications (WISs). You should also ask them whether they provide a warranty and guarantee - most specialists should guarantee their work for at least 5 years.

Is pipe relining worth it?

If you know your drains are cracked or damaged and are experiencing problems with your home's drainage, pipe relining is definitely worth it. If you leave the problem to get worse, you may have to replace the pipes entirely, which can cost at least £535 per metre. But if you are still weighing up the pros and cons, here is our guide to the benefits and drawbacks:

Pros of drain relining

1. Cheaper than replacing pipes - you could save over £400 per metre
2. Minimal disruption - work should be completed in one day in most cases
3. Little to no excavation needed - most of the time an engineer won’t have to dig up your garden
4. Ideal for hard to access places - since no excavation is necessary, it can be a good solution for hard-to-reach drains
5. Easy to move bends and offset joints
6. Can be used to repair lots of different pipe materials

Cons of drain relining

1. Won't address bad pipe grading - this is when the pipes are pointing uphill so water flows backwards
2. Root ingress - bad installation or poor materials could cause roots to grow between the main pipe and the lining
3. In rare cases, it is not a suitable solution to the problem

If your drains are damaged but don't need to be replaced, it is certainly worth investigating getting your drains relined. Make sure you get a range of quotes - use HaMuch to get quotes from local drain specialists to ensure you get the best price.

Estimates for common drain specialist jobs;

Rates for other trades