Published 2026-10-26 · Updated 2026-10-26 · Alpha Services Benelux

How much does drain unblocking cost in Belgium in 2026?

Short answer: According to Belgian price guides, unblocking a toilet costs roughly €90–€220 and a sink €80–€200. A blocked main sewer runs €150–€450, high-pressure jetting €100–€400 and a camera inspection €75–€350. Evening, night and weekend work adds a surcharge. The final price depends on the blockage, access and whether the figure includes or excludes VAT.

Prices in this article are indicative Belgian market ranges, not Alpha Services Benelux's price list. Your fixed price is in the quote.

Prices by type of blockage

A normal blockage in a toilet or sink costs roughly €80–€220 in the sources, a main sewer €150–€450. Figures differ by source and method (plunger, spring, high pressure), so below we show the range across all sources consulted.

Cleaning a grease pit is an extra €80–€150 on top of the base rate according to Ontstopping.be. A full package (unblocking, jetting and camera) comes to €300–€500 according to Vakman in de Buurt.

Camera inspection: what it costs and when it helps

A basic camera inspection of a house connection costs €75–€110 excl. VAT according to Ontstopping.be; with location tracing it is €140–€200. Other sources are higher: Bobex €100–€150, Homedeal €120–€180, Vakman in de Buurt €150–€250 (with report) and Drainup €150–€350.

A camera is most useful when a blockage keeps coming back, when you suspect roots, a break or a sagging pipe, or before you request a quote for repair work. The video report lets you compare quotes on the same facts.

Evening, weekend and emergency surcharges

Outside office hours a surcharge applies; the sources put it anywhere from a few tens of euros up to 100% of the base price. According to Vakman in de Buurt, an emergency call-out costs €200–€400 or more.

If it is not urgent, an appointment during working hours is almost always cheaper. A blocked toilet in a home with only one is a fair reason not to wait.

What drives the price

Three things dominate: where the blockage is, the technique used and the time of the call-out.

• Location and access: a sink trap is simpler than a deep main drain or an inspection chamber that cannot be found. Bobex prices digging separately.
• Technique: a plunger or spring costs less than high-pressure jetting; a camera or suction truck adds cost.
• Call-out and travel: Bobex quotes a normal call-out fee of €20–€50, Ontstopping.be €75–€185, Vakman in de Buurt €30–€70 travel. Check whether it is included.
• Duration and length: Ontstopping.be charges €7–€15 per extra metre of pipe and €35–€55 per extra half hour.
• Time of day: see the surcharges above.
• VAT basis: some sources show prices incl. VAT, others excl. VAT or without a statement, which explains part of the gap.

For hourly rates in general, see our guide to the plumber hourly rate in Belgium.

When to call a professional, and what insurance may cover

Call a professional when a blockage keeps returning, when several drains slow down together or when water backs up. A slow toilet on its own may be a local issue; if shower, sink and toilet all struggle, the cause is usually further along the pipe.

• Have a professional assess whether a camera inspection is needed before an expensive repair.
• Avoid harsh chemicals in a pipe you want inspected; Homedeal mentions chemical cleaning only for light blockages.
• Keep the camera report and the invoice: you will need them in a dispute with a neighbour, a building manager or an insurer.

Whether your insurance covers unblocking, a camera inspection or water damage depends on your policy and on the cause. We found no reliable source with general amounts, so ask your insurer or broker before you call, and report any damage promptly.

If a drain is completely blocked and it cannot wait, an emergency plumber can help; for an ordinary blockage see our drain unblocking page.

VAT: 6% or 21% on the invoice?

For maintenance and repair work on a private home older than 10 years, invoiced by a contractor directly to the end user, VAT is in principle 6%; in other cases it is 21%. Materials you buy yourself stay at 21% (Test-Aankoop). Ontstopping.be applies the 6% rule to its prices; the contractor states the rate on the invoice.

Watch out when comparing: Homedeal and Ontstopping.be show prices incl. VAT, Drainup shows them excl. VAT (HTVA), while Bobex, Vakman in de Buurt and De Wever Guido do not say. According to Test-Aankoop, unblocking sewers and pipes counts as maintenance and can be charged at 6%; according to Test-Aankoop, pure cleaning work does not fall under 6%. Ontstopping.be charges 6% VAT for a camera inspection in a home older than 10 years. Have the rate written on the quote.

Unblocking on its own is not subsidised; for renovation questions you can turn to homegrade.brussels, wallonie.be or vlaanderen.be/mijn-verbouwpremie.

Comparing quotes and avoiding surprises

Ask for a written price before the work starts and have it spell out what is included. Always compare the same points:

1. Is the amount incl. or excl. VAT, and at which rate?
2. Are the call-out fee and travel included?
3. Which technique (spring, jetting, camera) and what does an extra hour or metre cost?
4. Is there a surcharge for evening, weekend or holiday?
5. Do you get a report or photos if a camera is used?
6. What happens if the blockage returns?

Be wary of very low headline prices without detail: they usually assume the simplest blockage. Alpha Services Benelux, active since 2014, carries out drain unblocking with its own team and issues a fixed written quote after a site visit. For plumbing, electrical and heating emergencies a 24/7 service is reachable on 0485 44 55 12. The prices in this article are market ranges, not our own price list. If you are also considering renovation work, see our renovation page.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to unblock a toilet in Belgium?

Belgian price guides give roughly €90–€220 for 2026: Drainup €90–€180 (excl. VAT), Homedeal €120–€180 (incl. VAT), Vakman in de Buurt €120–€220. A severe blockage or an out-of-hours call-out costs more.

Do prices differ in Brussels, Genk or Sint-Niklaas?

The sources consulted give no city-specific prices. Call-out and travel fees do differ: Bobex quotes €20–€50, Vakman in de Buurt €30–€70 travel. In any city, ask for a written price including all surcharges.

How much does it cost to unblock a main sewer?

About €200–€400 according to Bobex and Homedeal (Ontstopping.be €250–€400); Drainup gives €150–€450 depending on spring, jetting or suction. Bobex says digging comes on top and is quoted separately.

What does a drain camera inspection cost?

Ontstopping.be charges €75–€110 excl. VAT for a basic inspection up to 20 m and €140–€200 with location tracing. Other sources range from €100 to €350. Ontstopping.be charges 6% VAT for a camera inspection in a home older than 10 years; have the rate stated on the quote.

Does my insurance pay for drain unblocking?

It depends on your policy and the cause (blockage, leak, water damage). We found no reliable general amounts. Ask your insurer before the work and keep the invoice and camera report.

What is the surcharge for evenings, weekends or nights?

It varies: +20% to +100% of the base price (Bobex), +€40–€60 at weekends (Drainup), or €200–€350 in total for an emergency (Homedeal). An appointment during working hours costs less.

Sources

1. Ontstoppingsdienst prijzen: Wat kost een professionele ontstopping in 2026? — Bobex
2. Wat zijn de ontstoppingsdienst prijzen? 2026 prijzen — Homedeal
3. Wat kost een ontstoppingsdienst? Prijzen 2026 — Vakman in de Buurt
4. Camera-inspectie Riool Kosten 2026: Prijsgids Vlaanderen — Ontstopping.be
5. Riool ontstoppen prijs: wat kost rioolontstopping in België? — Ontstopping.be
6. Wat Kost Een Ontstoppingsdienst? Ontstoppingsdienst Prijzen — De Wever Guido
7. Baromètre prix débouchage Belgique 2026 - Tarifs de référence — Drainup
8. Wanneer en hoe krijg je verminderd btw-tarief van 6% voor werken aan je woning? — Test-Aankoop