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Knotweed survey in Northwich

We visit, confirm the plant, measure it and write up what we find.

Free photo ID check · Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat mornings

What this job actually involves

Knotweed survey — how it works here

Knotweed survey in Northwich

On site, the surveyor confirms what the plant is, records its size and position with photographs, and notes distances to the house, drains, walls and sheds. The report that follows sets out spraying and excavation choices with prices, in the form a lender or conveyancer expects. For most Northwich gardens the visit is over in about an hour.

What to expect from a knotweed survey in Northwich

How the visit runs, step by step

The surveyor starts at the plant itself, checking canes, leaf shape and any old dead stems from last year. Next comes a walk of the boundary to see whether the stand continues next door, followed by photographs from fixed points so the picture can be repeated later. Measurements are taken from the outer canes, and distances to the house, drains and outbuildings are noted. Finally the surveyor looks at ground clues such as slopes, banks, fill and drainage runs. You are usually told what was seen before they leave, with the written report following afterwards.

What changes the time and the price

Size matters less than people expect. A small stand in a tidy garden is quick to assess, while a long strip along a river bank, a canal towpath edge or a overgrown former yard takes longer because the edges are hard to find. Access also counts: a locked rear gate, dense brambles or a steep bank all add time. Tell us about gates, dogs and neighbours' access when booking. If the stand crosses a boundary, the report records only what can lawfully be seen from your side.

Preparing the site and avoiding common mistakes

Leave the plant alone before the visit. Cutting, strimming or pulling it scatters fragments and can make the stand harder to map. Clear nothing, but do put away loose items that hide the base of the canes. Gather any earlier correspondence, such as a mortgage valuer's note or a neighbour's letter. In winter the canes are brown and brittle, so the surveyor relies on the crowns and old stems. Old sites in the Northwich area sometimes sit on made ground, so mention any past dumping or demolition you know about.

On the ground

What this looks like around Northwich

Dense canes on a canal or river bank, with stone and brick edging behind.
Dense canes on a canal or river bank, with stone and brick edging behind.
Spring shoots forcing their way through a block-paved drive.
Spring shoots forcing their way through a block-paved drive.
Spraying a stand once it is in full summer leaf.
Spraying a stand once it is in full summer leaf.
Step by step

How knotweed survey works with us

  1. Send us a picture.

    A leaf and a length of stem, through the form or by message. Free.

  2. We come and survey.

    For a confirmed knotweed stand, we visit, measure it and record what sits nearby.

  3. Choose the route.

    Spraying across a few seasons, or digging it out when the date matters.

  4. Paperwork and return visits.

    A written plan for your files and your lender, plus follow-ups until regrowth stops.

What it costs

Clear pricing for knotweed survey in Northwich

Every job starts with a free photo check. If a visit is needed, you get a written quote before any work starts — no obligation, no surprises.

See full price guide →

Survey from
£275
  • Free identification from a photo
  • Written quote before work starts
  • Report suitable for lenders and buyers
Before you ring

Questions about knotweed survey

Do I have to be in?
Not necessarily. If there is side or rear access, we can agree a time and carry out the survey without needing to come through the house.
How do I know if it is Japanese knotweed?
Start with the stems. They are hollow, rather like bamboo, flecked with purple and kink at every joint. The leaves are shield-shaped with a flat edge where the stalk joins. In late summer there are creamy flower sprays, and in winter the dead canes stay up, brown and brittle. The quickest route is to send us a photo.
Is it illegal to have knotweed in my garden?
No, simply having it is not against the law. Allowing it to spread into the wild is an offence, and anything you cut or dig counts as controlled waste. If it passes onto a neighbour's land, a claim against you is possible.
Will knotweed stop me getting a mortgage?
It does not automatically rule you out. Lenders commonly proceed once there is a professional survey, a management plan and an insurance-backed guarantee that can pass to a buyer.
How long does treatment take?
A spraying programme normally runs for three to five growing seasons, with checks afterwards. Excavation is done in days, though it comes at a higher price.
Can I just dig it out myself?
We would not advise it. Small pieces of rhizome are enough to regrow, and the soil cannot simply go in a skip or the garden waste bin.
Where we do it

Knotweed survey across Northwich

Northwich town centre· Hartford· Davenham· Barnton· Winnington· Greenbank· Leftwich· Castle· Wincham and Lostock Gralam· Weaverham and Rudheath

Also available

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