How much rat control costs

Typical prices

A standard three-visit plan costs £150 to £240, with a full range of £150 to £300. London and the South East are about 20% dearer. All prices include VAT. The price varies with where the rats are:

• garden or outbuilding: £120 to £200
• loft: £180 to £280
• wall cavities: £200 to £300
• drains: £250 to £300 or more
• treatment with proofing: £300 to £600

Other guides give a lower or wider range. howmuchshoulditcost puts it at £120 to £350, averaging £200, and PestPro Index quotes £80 to £150 for two or three visits, which is the cheap end of the market.

Reading the numbers

The £150 to £240 figure is for a standard three-visit plan, which is what most households need. Check that a quote is for the same thing: some firms advertise the price of a single visit, or leave out VAT. In London and the South East, expect to pay about 20% more.

What costs extra

Proofing is the usual extra. PestPro Index puts it at £100 to £400 on top of treatment. Drain repairs and repairing damage are also charged separately. Proofing is what stops rats coming back, so a quote with none may be cheap for a reason. See what the visits involve on our rat control page.

Council rat control

Most councils treat rats for a fixed fee, and a few do it free. Bolton has done it free since 2 April 2024, and Birmingham treats rats only. See council pest control for the fee in your area. Ring your council before you pay for a private course.

Comparing quotes

Ask each firm:

• how many visits the price covers
• whether proofing and a final check are included
• how long the guarantee lasts, in writing
• whether the technician holds CRRU competence for rodenticide

A low price can mean a shorter course. Rats need monitoring until activity stops, and one visit rarely does that. Pay for the whole course, not one visit. If you rent, the landlord may owe you the cost where rats came in through defects in the building. Before you pay, check it is rats with our identification guide, or try the legal DIY methods for a small problem.