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mySoakaway Installation Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost of installing a soakaway drain is around £850.
- The job will take approximately 1 to 3 days to complete.
- NEW! Use our soakaway cost calculator for an instant estimate.
- A complete pricing breakdown which includes what you need to consider, along with what such a task usually involves.
- How long the job should approximately take and a general overview of what types of services can be performed.
- How to find and hire a soakaway fitter.
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Soakaway drains are a great way to keep water away from your home, but how much do they cost to install?
The average cost to install soakaway drainage is typically around £850 for a typical, medium-sized domestic soakaway, although smaller soakaways can start from £660 and larger driveway soakaways often exceed £1,000.
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Check out our guide to find out what impacts the cost and what you have to consider before installing a soakaway.
£850
Table of Contents
How Much Does a Soakaway Cost?
The average cost of installing a soakaway is around £850 for a typical domestic system, although smaller soakaways for patios or roof drainage can start from around £660, while larger driveway systems often cost £1,000 to £1,200+.
The final price depends mainly on the size of the soakaway, ground conditions, and whether any reinstatement is needed afterwards. Soft ground with easy access keeps labour costs lower, while clay soil, deeper excavation, or breaking through an existing driveway will increase the total cost.
Soakaways must also be installed correctly to ensure water drains away safely from your property. If pipes are poorly aligned or undersized, water can build up underground and eventually lead to costly problems such as collapsed drain repairs.
If paving, tarmac, or drainage channels need to be lifted and reinstated during installation, labour costs will rise further, which is why itemised quotes are important before work begins.
The soakaway for my property isn’t working anymore - any idea why this might be? How can I diagnose the problem, and if I figure out what the issue is? Is it something I could fix on my own, or is it the sort of job I should hire a professional for?
"What does the soakaway serve, and how old is it? It may just be old and not as sufficient as it used to be. You may be able to have it jetted, if not it will need a new soakaway."
Soakaway Installation Prices
| Soakaway Size | Duration | Material Cost | Labour Cost | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 190 Litre Soakaway | 1 Day | £160 | £500 | £660 |
| 333 Litre Soakaway | 1 Day | £200 | £550 | £750 |
| 800 Litre Soakaway | 2 – 3 Days | £230 | £800 | £1,030 |
| 950 Litre Soakaway | 2 – 3 Days | £260 | £950 | £1,210 |
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What Affects Soakaway Installation Costs?
There are a few key factors that influence the cost of installing a soakaway:
- Size of the drainage area - Larger areas require bigger soakaways as they usually produce more runoff, meaning more materials and labour are needed.
- Depth of installation - Deeper installations may require additional excavation and support structures, increasing costs.
- Soil type & permeability - Clay soils drain poorly and may require larger or more complex soakaway systems, while sandy soils are easier to work with. More excavation may also be required for difficult soil conditions.
- Accessibility - Costs rise if contractors need to remove paving, cut through tarmac, work in tight spaces, or if the installation site is difficult to access.
- Permits and regulations - Some projects require a percolation test, building control approval, or extra drainage checks.
- Soakaway method used - Modern plastic crate systems are usually quicker to install, while traditional rubble-filled pits can involve more excavation.
- Distance from downpipes or guttering - Longer pipe runs mean more materials and labour.
- Existing underground services - The presence of underground utilities (pipes, drains, or cables) can complicate installation and increase costs.
Additional Soakaway Drain Costs
As well as the installation itself, there are a few other costs involved when fitting a soakaway drainage system.
| Additional Cost | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Building control application | £200 to £400 |
| Percolation test | £150 to £300 |
| Waste removal / skip hire | £150 to £300 |
| Lawn reinstatement | £100 to £200 |
| Turf reinstatement | £400 to £500 |
| Tarmac driveway repairs | £300 to £600 |
| Block paving repairs | £500 to £1,000 |
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Building Control Application
Your council needs to approve any soakaway drainage installation. Some installers handle the paperwork but charge you the council fee plus admin on top. Some soakaway installations require building control approval, particularly where new drainage connections or significant groundworks are involved.
Percolation Test
You can't just guess what size soakaway you need. Someone's got to dig test holes, fill them with water, and time how fast it drains. Some installers include it in their survey but some don't, so it's worth checking. Skip it and you risk the whole system failing because it's the wrong size for your soil type.
Waste Removal and Skip Hire
Digging out an 800-litre soakaway creates about 3-4 tonnes of soil, so you have to consider the cost to hire a skip or grab lorry, unless your quote specifically says "including muck away".
Ground Reinstatement
Installation quotes usually cover backfilling the hole, but not restoring your garden to its original presentable state. Depending on what's going on top of the excavation site, costs can vary.
Driveway Repairs
If you have front gutters, the pipes probably need routing under your driveway, which means cutting through and patching up after. Tarmac repairs add £300 to £600, while lifting and relaying block paving properly costs £500 to £1,000.
How Do I Know If I Need a Driveway Soakaway?
If you're a property owner, UK Building Regulations state that you're responsible for the surface water drainage around your home.
This means there must be adequate drainage systems in place to avoid standing water issues and flooding either on your property or on the roads surrounding it as a result of rainwater accumulation.
Making a soakaway drain is one way of managing excess water if you live in an area with poor drainage. Soakaways deal with surface water issues by collecting and containing rainwater so it can gradually drain into the ground instead of contributing to waterlogging.
If you have any of the following at your property, you'll likely need to install a soakaway:
- High volume of impermeable surfaces - The fewer natural surfaces there are, the more chance there is for standing water issues on patios, pavements, drives, and roads.
- Existing drainage issues - If you live in an area where there is already an issue with standing water, you're likely to need soakaways installed as a solution.
- Building regulations - New-build properties are generally required to have driveway soakaways.
Your soakaway specialist will carry out a percolation test to assess the soil to see how quickly water drains from it.
Heavy clay soils and closely compacted soils won't drain well and won't be suitable for soakaways, but sand, chalk, gravel, and clay and sandy loam will mostly all be suitable for soakaways.
We have block paving on our driveway, and water is pooling next to the house. We need to put in a drainage system to take rainwater down the drive and away. How much is an approx 10 metre linear drain system with soakaway in drive inc. removal and re-laying of block paving?
"I would recommend a site visit first to see what your best options would be, as there could be other options. An existing soakaway, if big enough, could be connected or expanded to facilitate the extra load, and this could work out cheaper. We would first need to calculate the area and conduct a ground percolation test to check adequate ground drainage. If there is a nearby surface drain or combined line, we could possibly connect to this."
What to Consider When Installing Soakaways
Before hiring a contractor to install a soakaway, you first need to consider what you need and if a soakaway is the right solution for your property:
- Check whether a soakaway is suitable for your soil – A percolation test will show how quickly water drains and whether your ground can support a soakaway system.
- Think about where the water will come from – Roof runoff, patios, and driveways all create different drainage loads, which affect the soakaway size required.
- Allow enough distance from buildings – Soakaways should normally be installed at least 5 metres away from your home to protect foundations.
- Consider access for excavation – If the installer needs to break through paving or work in a tight area, labour costs will rise.
- Combine driveway work where possible – If you're already replacing paving or adding drainage channels, doing both jobs together usually reduces labour costs.
- Check whether existing drainage can be reused – In some cases, an existing drain or pipe run can be adapted instead of installing a completely new system. A drain survey can help determine what is needed.
Soakaway vs Permeable Driveway
It's worth considering whether a permeable driveway might solve your drainage problems instead. While soakaways cost around £850, permeable paving runs £70 to £100 per square metre, but replaces your driveway at the same time.
If you're already planning driveway work, permeable surfaces could prevent the need for a separate soakaway and increase your property's value. However, if your existing driveway's in good condition, adding a soakaway makes more financial sense and is the more cost-effective option.
Here are some comparisons between soakaway costs and permeable driveway costs to help you make an informed decision:
| Factor | Soakaway | Permeable Driveway |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost (60m² drive) | £850-£1,100 | £4,200-£6,000 |
| Property Value Increase | 0% | 3-5% |
| 10-Year Maintenance | £250-£400 | £200 |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 20-25 years |
| Break-even Point | Immediate (low cost) | 5-7 years (via property value) |
| Best For | Good existing driveways | Driveway replacement needed |
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Doing It Yourself
Driveway soakaway installation is not a simple DIY job. It is best left to professional plumbers and soakaway specialists to ensure the installation is done correctly and in compliance with local codes and regulations once the drain system is installed.
Your installer will take the following steps to install a soakaway:
- Site assessment - Before any installation begins, your soakaway fitter will assess the land. The soil will be tested to see how it drains, and the system's positioning will be determined by local regulations, avoiding underground services like electrical cables, gas, or water supplies. Soakaways must be at least 5 metres away from any structures.
- Excavation - Your installer will then start excavating the land, creating a pit for making a soakaway. Different calculations will be made to determine the depth and volume depending on your type of soakaway system. Any natural debris, such as roots or rubble, will be cleared.
- Base preparation - Once cleared, the pit will have a layer of pea shingle or sharp sand added and levelled out.
- Add soakaway crates and connect the inlet pipe - Soakaway crates will then be installed as per the manufacturer's instructions, and the inlet pipe will be connected.
- Backfilling - The soakaway will then be backfilled to stabilise the system.
Does a drain or a soakaway tend to be better at getting rid of rainwater? We've had increasingly heavy rain showers, and I'm wondering what we can do to future-proof our home.
"Rainwater has to go into a soakaway under new building regs, it should always happen."
Checklist: Hiring a Soakaway Drain Installer
When you start looking for soakaway installation near you, keep the following in mind to ensure you're hiring the right contractor for the job:
- Choose a specialist – Look for companies with experience in soakaway and drainage installations rather than general groundwork alone.
- Get at least 3 quotes – Comparing several installers helps you understand your local price range and spot unusually high or low estimates.
- Ask for an itemised quote – Make sure labour, materials, waste removal, and any survey or approval costs are clearly listed.
- Check previous work – Ask to see photos, reviews, or examples of similar soakaway projects they have completed.
- Understand regulations – Your installer should be aware of drainage rules, including minimum distances from buildings and boundaries.
- Check whether reinstatement is included – If paving, tarmac, or lawn needs restoring afterwards, confirm whether this is part of the quote.
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FAQs
How does a soakaway drain work?
When rain hits your roof and driveway, it needs somewhere to go and that's where a soakaway comes in. Underground, you've got a gravel-filled chamber or crate system collecting all that water through pipes, giving it time to naturally seep away into the surrounding soil.
How long should a soakaway take to drain?
In normal conditions, expect your soakaway to clear within 48 hours of rainfall. Still got water after two days? This usually means there's a blockage or it's undersized for your needs.
How long will soakaway installation take?
Typically, the new drain system (installation only) should last from 1 to 3 days. If you do additional paving work or choose to install water lines and pumps, this can increase the duration of your drainage installation up to 2 weeks in some homes.
What's the difference between soakaway and drainage costs?
New drainage systems typically run £500 to £1,000, while soakaways cost around £850 on average. The difference is that soakaways handle surface water only, while full drainage systems deal with wastewater too, hence the price variation.
Can I install the drains myself?
It is not advised. If possible, you should hire a local contractor and plumbing team to do this job for you outside of the home to ensure precision and accuracy in the fitting and installation.
Do I need planning permission to install a soakaway?
Planning permission is usually needed if you are installing a new septic soakaway, but for rainwater soakaways you should check with your local planning agency. If you are replacing an old soakaway, permission is not required usually.
What is the life expectancy of a soakaway?
A properly installed soakaway will usually last 15 to 20 years or more, depending on the soil conditions, the amount of water it handles, and whether debris is prevented from entering the system. Over time, soakaways can become less effective if silt builds up.
Can I install a soakaway in clay soil?
Clay soil is one of the most difficult ground types for soakaways because water drains through it very slowly. In some cases, a soakaway may still be possible, but only if a percolation test shows the ground can absorb water at an acceptable rate or if the soakaway is made larger to compensate, but usually alternative drainage solutions are recommended for clay soil.
