The Good, The Bad And The Costly: What Customer Reviews Really Tell Us

When searching for a Drainage Contractor, most homeowners do the same thing. We read the reviews. And quite rightly so! Drainage emergencies are rarely convenient, almost always unpleasant and definitely not something you’d want to pay twice for. But the most useful drainage company reviews are not usually the most dramatic ones. They’re actually the more calm, relieved ones. The kind that say “It’s Sorted, and we don’t have to think about it anymore”.

Over the years we’ve seen it all, including the full spectrum of drainage work. The Good, The Bad and The Costly. And if you know what you’re looking for, these differences show up clearly in customer feedback.

The good: what a job well done actually looks like

A good drainage job isn’t just about clearing a blockage and disappearing into the night. It’s about solving the problem properly and leaving the customer feeling reassured, not stressed.

In positive drainage company reviews, customers often mention:

• The problem being properly diagnosed, not guessed
• Clear explanations of what caused the issue
• The job being completed without mess or disruption
• Engineers turning up when they said they would
• Confidence that the problem won’t come back

From our side, that usually means:

• Investigating the cause, not just the symptom
• Using the right equipment for the job
• Checking flow before packing up
• Explaining what’s been done in plain English (with no drainage jargon)

This is the kind of work that leads to genuinely happy customers and the sort of reviews you’ll often see on platforms like Checkatrade. Not because anything flashy happened, but because everything went smoothly.

Quiet competence rarely makes headlines. But if a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.

The bad: when corners are cut

A “bad” drainage job isn’t always obvious straight away. In fact, some of the worst ones look fine… for about a week.

Common complaints we hear from customers who’ve called us after a poor experience elsewhere include:

• “The blockage came back almost immediately”
• “They didn’t explain what caused it”
• “They left a mess behind”
• “It felt rushed”
• “We’re worse off than when we started”

Sometimes the drain has been cleared, but the wider system hasn’t been checked. Other times, the focus was on speed rather than accuracy. Either way, the result is the same. Frustration, doubt, and another call-out.

A bad job doesn’t just fail to fix the problem. It often creates a new one.

The costly: when poor work leads to repeat problems

This is where drainage issues start to hurt the wallet.

Costly problems usually arise when:

• Structural issues are missed or ignored
• Temporary fixes are sold as permanent solutions
• Repairs don’t meet proper standards
• No inspection is carried out after the work

We often see situations where:

• A collapsed pipe is repeatedly “cleared”
• Root ingress is removed but not dealt with properly
• A shared drain is treated as a private one
• A repair only covers half the damaged section

In these cases, the homeowner pays once, and then again when the problem inevitably returns. Sometimes more than once.

Ironically, the more thorough approach is usually the cheaper one in the long run.

We’ve seen it all (and then some)

After years in drainage, very little surprises us anymore.

We’ve uncovered:

• Pipes “repaired” with the wrong materials
• Incorrect gradients (backfall)
• Joints sealed with things that definitely weren’t designed for drains
• Sections of pipework installed backwards
• Bodged fixes that held together purely out of optimism

In many cases, the customer had no idea. The work was hidden underground, out of sight and out of mind…. until it failed.

That’s why experience matters. And why doing the job properly the first time saves everyone a lot of hassle.

How to spot a good drainage company (a quick checklist)

If you’re choosing a drainage engineer, here are a few signs you’re dealing with a good one:

• Reviews that mention reliability, communication, and cleanliness
• Willingness to explain the problem and the solution
• Proper investigation before recommending repairs
• Respect for your home and surroundings
• No pressure to agree to unnecessary work
• Clear evidence of accountability and professional standards

A good drainage company doesn’t just fix problems. It helps you avoid the next one.

Why reviews and accreditations matter

Drainage work is mostly hidden, which makes trust especially important.

Being reviewed on platforms like Checkatrade means:

• Feedback is verified
• Standards are monitored
• Reputation is built over time, not claimed overnight

Strong reviews don’t come from one-off jobs. They come from doing the right thing, consistently … even when nobody’s watching.

Why thorough work makes the difference

Drainage systems aren’t glamorous, but they’re critical. A thorough approach:

• Reduces repeat call-outs
• Identifies hidden structural issues early
• Prevents small problems becoming major repairs
• Gives customers confidence the issue is resolved

Tools like CCTV drain surveys remove guesswork and allow repairs to be targeted, not speculative. It’s not about doing more work. It’s about doing the right work.