How Much Does Leak Detection Cost in the UK?
What leak detection costs in the UK, why prices vary, how trace and access differs from the repair, and our fixed London prices with no find, no fee.
Typically, a basic UK leak detection survey costs somewhere from around £150 to £500, and a longer or multi-stage investigation costs more. The price depends on access, the size of the property and the method needed. Trace and access, where floors or walls are opened to reach the pipe, is usually priced on top. Ask what the quote includes. Our prices are fixed: main water leak detection £595, comprehensive investigation £660, or £180 per hour with tracer gas included. No find, no fee, and no call-out fee when you book in advance.
Key Takeaways
- Leak detection finds the leak. Repair and making good are normally separate costs.
- Typical market prices vary widely, so compare what is included, not just the figure.
- Our prices: £595 main water leak detection, £660 comprehensive investigation, £180 per hour. No find, no fee.
- Access is the biggest cost driver: a leak under a fitted floor takes longer than one in an open cupboard.
- Insurance may cover tracing and access but often not the pipe repair. Check your policy.
- Get the scope and price in writing before work starts.
Typically, leak detection in the UK costs from around £150 for a simple survey to several hundred pounds for a longer investigation. Finding the leak and fixing it are separate jobs and are priced separately. The final figure depends mainly on access, the age of the pipework and how much the engineer needs to open up. Any honest quote will say clearly what is included.
Typical leak detection costs
Across the UK market, you will usually see prices in these bands. They are broad guides only and vary by region, with London usually toward the upper end.
| Job | What you typically see |
|---|---|
| Basic non-invasive survey of one area | Around £150 to £500 |
| Whole-property investigation with several methods | Several hundred pounds upward |
| Trace and access (opening floor or wall to reach the pipe) | Priced on top, depends on how much is opened |
| Pipe repair and making good | Quoted separately after the leak is found |
These are market ranges, not our price. Our prices are in the next section. Some companies also charge a separate fee for the tracer gas bottle, so ask what is included.
What changes the price
- Access. A leak behind an open cupboard door is quick. A leak under a fitted kitchen, a tiled floor or a screed takes more time and more equipment.
- The type of pipe. Plastic pipe is harder to trace by sound than metal, so other methods come in.
- Where it is. Heating pipes behave differently from cold mains. A buried supply pipe outside needs different gear from a pipe in a wall.
- How long it has been leaking. Water travels. By the time damp appears, the stain may be metres from the source.
- Flats. You may need to arrange access to the flat above or below, and wait for it.
What is and is not included
A detection visit should give you a clear answer: where the leak is, which pipe it is on and what the next step is. It does not normally include repairing the pipe, replastering or replacing a floor. Be wary of a quote that bundles them under one vague figure with no breakdown.
Two terms get mixed up. Leak detection is finding the problem. Trace and access is the work of reaching it. We explain the difference in leak detection vs leak repair.
Our prices
The ranges above are market context. These are our prices for leak detection. Repair and making good are separate from detection.
- No call-out fee when you book the visit in advance.
- Need someone now? Emergency call-out is £70 and we guarantee someone is with you within one hour.
- No find, no fee on leak detection.
- Main water leak detection: fixed price £595.
- Comprehensive leak detection investigation: £660. It checks the whole property for all types of leaks, excluding roofs, and is all-inclusive: tracer gas, moisture mapping, pressure testing and so on.
- Leak detection by the hour: £180 per hour, tracer gas bottle included.
- Plumbing repair work (not detection) is £95 per hour, and the £60 call-out is waived over 2 hours.
- You get a written price before any repair work starts.
- Gas work is done by Gas Safe registered engineers.
- We answer 24/7 on 020 7870 3200.
Insurance and who pays
Some home insurance policies pay for tracing and accessing an insured leak, but not always for repairing the pipe itself. Policies differ on limits, excess and gradual damage, so check your own wording and ring your insurer before you book work you want them to pay for. Our guide to whether home insurance covers leak detection covers the questions to ask. For landlords and tenants, who pays depends on the tenancy and the lease, so check your agreement.
Questions to ask before booking
- What is included in the price, and what is extra?
- What happens if no leak is found? With us, no find, no fee.
- Will I get a written report with photos?
- Will you quote the repair separately, before starting it?
- Who is making good the floor or wall afterwards?
When to call a plumber
Book a survey if you have unexplained damp, a meter that moves with everything off, a boiler that keeps losing pressure or a stain growing on a ceiling. If water is actively coming through, shut the stopcock and call 020 7870 3200. We answer 24/7. You can also use our contact page or check our pricing.
Not sure what you need to pay for?
Describe the damp, the meter reading or the stain. We will tell you what is likely. No find, no fee on leak detection.
Call 020 7870 3200Or send us the details, see pricing or read about our leak detection service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does leak detection cost UK?
Across the UK market, a basic survey is typically around £150 to £500 and a long investigation costs more. Our prices at Trusted Plumber London are fixed: £595 for main water leak detection, £660 for a comprehensive investigation, or £180 per hour with the tracer gas bottle included. No find, no fee.
Is leak detection cheaper than digging up the floor?
Usually yes. Detection narrows the leak to a small area, so you open one patch instead of several. It can save money even when the survey itself costs several hundred pounds.
What is trace and access?
It is the work of finding a hidden leak and getting to the pipe, which can mean lifting floorboards or opening a wall. Some buildings policies cover it when there is an insured leak.
Does leak detection include the repair?
Not normally. Detection finds and reports the leak. Repairing the pipe and making good the plaster, floor or tiles are priced separately.
Do I pay if no leak is found?
No, not with us. No find, no fee on leak detection. Ask any company what happens if the survey finds nothing before you book.
Sources and further reading
Source links checked 3 November 2026. Scheme rules and manufacturer instructions can change; use the current official guidance for your account or exact appliance.