How much does leak detection cost in the UK?

Why is leak detection priced as a fixed fee, not an hourly rate?

An hourly rate on leak detection creates a bad incentive: the longer the job takes, the more it costs, even though the customer has no way of judging what a fair number of hours looks like. A fixed fee means the engineer is paid the same whether the leak is found in twenty minutes with a thermal camera or takes the full visit using several methods together. It also means you know the cost before you book, which matters when you are already dealing with a water bill or damage you did not plan for.

What does the fee actually include?

The fee covers the engineer’s time and equipment on site, whichever combination of thermal imaging, acoustic listening, tracer gas, pressure testing and moisture mapping the job needs, and a written report afterwards stating the method used, the location of the leak, and photographic evidence. It does not include repair work. Leak detection finds the leak. Fixing it, whether that means a plumber replacing a section of pipe or a builder making good a floor, is priced separately once the leak has actually been located, because quoting a repair before you know what is wrong would only be a guess.

Can you be seen sooner if it’s urgent?

Sometimes, yes. There is no price for it and nothing to buy online, because it depends on what is already booked that day. Call 020 3051 8478, tell us what is happening, and we will see what we can do. Most leaks are not emergencies in the sense of needing attention within hours, they are pressing in the sense that nobody wants water quietly running under a floor for another week. If a leak is causing active flooding or a safety risk, that is a genuine emergency and should be dealt with by shutting off the water supply and contacting an emergency plumber before anything else.

Does the cost change depending on the size of the property?

No, not for the detection visit itself. The fixed fee applies regardless of whether the suspected leak is in a one-bedroom flat or a large house, because the pricing reflects the specialist visit and equipment, not the square footage. What can affect the visit is access, for instance a leak suspected under a solid concrete floor with no accessible void may need a different combination of methods than a leak in a timber-floored Victorian terrace, but that is reflected in which methods are used, not in a different price.

Is leak detection worth it compared to just guessing and opening up the floor?

Opening up a floor or wall speculatively, without first locating the leak, often means cutting in the wrong place, sometimes more than once, and paying to make good areas that were never the problem. A detection visit that pinpoints the exact location before anything is opened up usually costs less overall than repeated speculative work, and it produces a written record that is useful if you later need to claim on insurance or instruct a contractor.

What should I do if I think I have a hidden leak?

If your water meter keeps moving when every tap and appliance is off, or you have noticed a damp patch, a musty smell or an unexplained rise in your water bill, that is worth investigating properly rather than living with. Signs you may have a hidden water leak sets out what to check yourself first. If those checks point to a leak you cannot see, leak detection from Damp & Mould Solutions UK includes a full written report with the findings. We will agree a date with you. If it is urgent, call us on 020 3051 8478.

Related: can a water leak be found without damage to my home.

If you've got damp, mould, or a leak, you already know it needs sorting.

The longer it sits, the worse it gets. Get in touch and we will agree a date with you. If it is urgent, say so when you call.