PRICE GUIDE · PLUMBING & HEATING · 2026–2027
Leak Detection cost in the UK
£200–£1,200 per survey. Typically £600.
Finding a hidden water leak in a UK home costs £200–£1,200, with about £600 typical. Non-invasive tracing with thermal imaging or acoustic kit sits at the low end; leaks under solid floors, or tracing combined with lifting floors and reinstating them, cost more.
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HOW MUCH IT COSTS
How much does leak detection cost in the UK?
| Low end | £200 | non-invasive tracing of an accessible leak |
|---|---|---|
| Typical | £600 | what most people pay |
| High end | £1,200 | a leak under a solid floor with lifting and reinstating |
Locufy guide prices for 2026–2027. Updated 2026. A national range, not a quote — enter your town above for real prices from the plumbers and heating firms near you.
What moves the price
- Detection method — thermal imaging and acoustic listening cost less than tracer gas surveys
- Where the leak is — a leak in a wall is quicker to find than one under a concrete floor
- Trace and access — opening up and reinstating floors or walls after detection adds to the bill
- Size of the system — a larger home with long pipe runs takes longer to survey
- Heating or water supply — central heating leaks may need pressure tests on each circuit
- Insurance — many buildings policies include trace and access cover for escape of water
Plumbing and heating prices in the UK are up 6% over five years (ONS Consumer Price Inflation, Services for maintenance and repair, to 2026 August). Five years ago a typical leak detection would have cost about £620 — an estimate from today's guide price and that index, not a recorded price. Source: ONS MM23 D7DO →
WHAT YOU GET
What a leak detection booking includes
Takes: Half a day for most domestic leak detection surveys. Not included: Repairing the pipe, drying out, replastering and flooring are usually priced separately from leak detection — see the related guides below.
WHAT PEOPLE BOOK
Common leak detection jobs
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Leak Detection near you, with prices shown
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How to pay less
- Check your buildings insurance for trace and access cover before paying for leak detection
- Book non-invasive leak detection before anyone starts lifting floors or breaking tiles
- Read your water meter with all taps off to confirm there is a leak before calling anyone
Before you book
- Ask your insurer which leak detection firms they accept for an escape of water claim
- Ask whether the leak detection price includes a written report and photos
- Turn off the water if the leak is causing damage, but tell the engineer you have done so
- Leaks on the supply pipe outside your home may be the water company's responsibility
Leak Detection cost: questions people ask
£200–£1,200 per survey, about £600 typical. Non-invasive tracing costs least; a leak under a solid floor with lifting and reinstating costs the most.
Usually half a day for most homes. Large homes or several suspected leaks can take longer.
Many buildings insurance policies include trace and access cover, which pays to find the leak and reinstate the area. Check your policy first.
Often, yes. Thermal imaging, acoustic equipment and tracer gas can pinpoint most leaks so only a small area needs opening.
Repairing the pipe, drying out, replastering and new flooring are separate. Ask whether the report is included.
They are Locufy guide prices for the UK, read from published UK leak tracing costs — a national range, not a quote. The method and where the leak is decide your price.
MORE GUIDES