20 July 2026

What does sewer unblocking cost in 2026?

Guide prices per job, the hourly rate, the emergency surcharge and who actually pays: tenant, owner or the municipality.

Having a blockage cleared in 2026 costs on average € 95 to € 250. Guide prices apply per job: unblocking a toilet € 95-195, a sink or shower drain € 95-225, an emergency sewer blockage € 125-350 and a camera inspection € 85-175. Drain companies charge € 100 to € 175 per hour, but many jobs are done at a fixed price per blockage.

Five factors drive the bill: accessibility (a trap under the sink is quick work, a house connection under the garden is not), the timing (evenings, nights and weekends carry a 150-200% emergency surcharge), the cause (grease jets away, tree roots demand heavier work), how deep in the sewer the blockage sits, and the region: Randstad rates run 10-20% higher.

Who pays depends on the location. If you rent, minor blockages (trap, floor drain) are yours and the sewer is the landlord's — report the defect in writing. If you own, the drainage on your own land is yours and the main sewer under the street belongs to the municipality: if the clog sits beyond the property boundary, the municipality generally clears it free of charge.

For non-urgent jobs, request multiple quotes and set them against the price index before you agree. For emergencies a different rule applies: ask for the hourly rate, call-out costs and surcharge on the phone, and confirm them briefly in writing (a text message suffices) before the technician sets off.