Trade Estimating
Drainage estimates measured run by run
We measure foul and surface water runs, manholes, soakaways and connections from your drawings and hand back a branded drainage estimate.
In short
A drainage estimate prices below-ground foul and surface water runs, manholes, gullies, soakaways and the connection to the public sewer.
We measure pipe runs by the metre, count chambers and apply current UK excavation and drainage rates including beds and surrounds.
You get an itemised estimate branded as your own, with the dig, the pipework and the connections priced separately.
Who it's for
Drainage and groundwork contractors, and main contractors who need the below-ground drainage costed accurately.
Drainage is priced by the metre run and by the chamber, but the real cost is in the trench. Pipe is cheap; digging the trench to the right depth and gradient, bedding and surrounding the pipe, and getting the muck away is where the labour and plant go. We measure each run by the metre, work the depth from the invert levels and apply the dig, the bed and surround and the backfill so the rate reflects the excavation, not just the pipe.
Chambers and connections are counted, costed items. Every manhole, inspection chamber, gully and rodding point has a price that depends on its depth, and the connection to the existing sewer or a new soakaway is a job in itself. We count the chambers, price them by depth and allow for the connection method, because tying into a deep public sewer is a very different cost to a shallow private run.
Surface water is easy to forget and often as big as the foul. Roof and yard drainage, channel drains, soakaways sized to the ground conditions, and any attenuation or SuDS requirement all add runs and structures. We separate foul and surface water so each system is clear, and we flag where a soakaway test or an adoptable standard changes the specification and the cost.
What the estimate includes
What drives the cost
The numbers that move the price on a drainage job, and the detail we measure to get them right.
Trench depth and gradient
Depth drives the excavation, the muck away and any need for trench support. A deep run to achieve the fall is far dearer per metre than a shallow one.
Number and depth of chambers
Manholes and inspection chambers are priced by depth, and a deep brick or sectional chamber costs a lot more than a shallow plastic inspection chamber.
Connection to the sewer
Tying into a deep public sewer, a new connection requiring the water authority, or breaking into a live drain all add significant cost beyond the run itself.
Surface water strategy
Soakaways, attenuation tanks and SuDS features depend on the ground conditions and the runoff. A failed soakaway test can push you to a larger or different solution.
Ground conditions and disposal
Rock, running sand or a high water table slow the dig and may need support or dewatering, and disposal of the spoil is charged by the load.
Reinstatement
Whether the trench is in soft ground, under a slab or across a road sets the reinstatement cost, and breaking out and making good hard surfaces adds up.
Common pitfalls we help you avoid
- Pricing the pipe and forgetting the trench dig, bed and surround.
- Under-allowing the depth and cost of manholes and connections.
- Forgetting surface water drainage and the soakaway or attenuation.
- Ignoring the cost of connecting into a deep or live public sewer.
- Missing reinstatement where runs cross hard surfaces or roads.
How it works
Send us the drainage layout
Upload your drainage plans with invert levels and tell us the connection point and any soakaway or SuDS requirement.
We measure and price
We measure runs by the metre, work the depths, count the chambers and apply current UK excavation and drainage rates.
You get a branded estimate
We return an itemised estimate under your own name, with foul and surface water and the connection priced separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a job that needs pricing?
Upload your drawings and we'll come back with a professional, branded estimate, a fixed fee and a turnaround time.
Upload Your Drawings