In situations where there is disagreement between buyer and seller on what is deemed the most appropriate eradication method (and hence cost of resolving the problem) you may find our Pre-Purchase Report service helps. Click here for more details. See also our article "Is Japanese knotweed preventing you buying or selling property due to a mortgage being refused because of the presence of Japanese knotweed"
For URGENT cases, our Resi-Dig-Out™ service, where we remove the root (rhizome) system from the soil in a matter of days, will be your answer. This is a far cheaper and more environmentally sound option than the old fashioned way of digging it up and sending all the infested soil off to landfill.
For non urgent cases our less disruptive and more economical herbicide treatment programmes will suit.
Guarantee certificates are issued that in most cases satisfy the requirements of the bank or building society, to allow the sale to proceed. The guarantee is assigned to the new owner upon the sale completion.
Resi-Dig-Out™ by Environet, for the guaranteed eradication of Japanese knotweed from residential gardens in a matter of just days.
Environet’s Resi-Dig-Out™ service is offered to satisfy a growing demand from owners of residential property, wanting the knotweed removed urgently. Resi-Dig-Out™ has evolved from Xtract™, our unique and proven solution to completely eradicate Japanese knotweed from development sites.
The Resi-Dig-Out™ service is typically preferred to a planned herbicide treatment programme where time is of the essence, and or where previous attempts at herbicide treatment have failed.
An Environet Resi-Dig-Out™ involves the physical excavation of soils infested with Japanese knotweed. The volume of soil can be surprisingly large, as the root system has a long lateral spread and penetrates deep into the ground (typically 2m). Excavation is undertaken using a mechanical excavator, except in situations where access does not permit. In such cases excavation is undertaken manually - our crew won’t like it, but they’ll still smile!
We then process the excavated infested soil, the aim being to remove all viable root (rhizome) from it. We have various items of equipment at our disposal and use a variety of methods, depending upon a number of factors e.g. quantity and type of infested soil, status of rhizome, site accessibility etc.
Our crew bag up and take away the nasty viable root/rhizome in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, aiming to leave your garden totally knotweed free. The processed soil is replaced back into the area of excavation. We aim to leave the garden in a tidy state upon completion.
It’s a skilled process, it’s not an easy task as the rhizome can spread far into the soil, under buildings, fences, walls and trees, but it can usually be done. Should some rhizome be left in the ground, the chances are it will re-grow. But do not be alarmed, we know how to deal with re-growth. We do this under the terms of our guarantee, at no further cost to you.
The cost for an Environet® Resi-Dig-Out™ to include our expert advice and assesment of the total liability, encroachment, affect on structure, supply of crew, all machinery and equipment, off-site disposal of rhizome and our standard 5 year guarantee starts from circa £4,250 + VAT. We accept both Debit and Credit cards.
The information we need from you in order for us to provide you with a quote:-
We used to visit every single property before providing a quote. Frankly, we have done so many we find we hardly ever come across a situation we have not experienced before. Therefore, to save you the cost of a survey for our Resi-Dig-Out™ service we can often base our quote on information you provide to us. This can also save a valuable 2 or 3 days and get the ball rolling more quickly. Don't be put off - this is really easy to do! You need a camera or camera phone, tape measure and pen and paper. Get someone to help if necessary.
The information we require is as follows:
1) A plan or rough sketch of the property showing the length and breadth (to the nearest metre) of the visible area of each distinctive stand of knotweed and their approx locations. (These can be paced out or measured. One pace should equal 1 metre). If there are shoots of knotweed within 3m of each other they should be classed as part of the same stand.
2) Confirmation of any evidence of knotweed encroaching into or from adjoining land
3) Any known underground obstructions within the vicinity of the knotweed e.g. underground services, drains, concrete structures etc.
4) Any above ground constraints such as trees/shrubs requiring protection
5) Details of any previous attempts, whether by herbicide, root barriers, or physical methods, to tackle the knotweed
6) Confirmation of accessibility to site e.g. 3m wide clear, straight access suitable for 5-8 tonne excavator, 750mm wide clear, straight access for microdigger, or pedestrian only access.
7) Photos showing the affected area(s) and, where you have any doubt about accessibility, the access route.
The sketch to the right shows the sort of info we need.
Please provide us with the best information available which will allow us to quote a fixed price.
NB If the information you provide proves to be incorrect and involves us having to carry out additional work, such costs may be charged to you. If you are unsure of any item above please feel free to call us to discuss and we will do all we can to help.
Alternatively, if you want us to carry out a site survey to collect this information please call us to arrange - there is a charge of £450 + VAT.
Herbicide Treatment Programme™ by Environet, for low cost but guaranteed eradication of Japanese knotweed from residential gardens.
Herbicide treatment programmes are probably your cheapest option. They obviously take longer than a Resi-Dig-Out™ but can usually be completed within one growing season, (May to October). They involve application of DEFRA approved herbicide to the plant, normally using a foliar spray technique. The efficacy relies upon the successful translocation of chemical through the leaves, down the stem and into the extensive rhizome system. If inadequate translocation is acheived (this can be as a result of many factors out of our control) then some viable rhizome will remain, and cause re-growth. That is why it is very unusual to be able to kill knotweed with one single application!
We can either provide you with a cost per application, or a planned treatment programme consisting of 4 applications, which in our experience is what is required for us to successfully eradicate knotweed. For a typical back garden the cost per application is typically £495 + VAT, or for a planned treatment programme the cost is £1,795 + VAT. If you require the backing of a guarantee there will be additional costs.
Are you having difficulty agreeing with your buyer/seller/mortgage lender the liabilities posed by the Japanese knotweed, and the likely cost of guaranteed removal? If so, Environet's Pre-Purchase Report may be the answer!
Pre-Purchase Reports produced by Environet® have helped many buyers, sellers and their agents understand the specific issues caused by Japanese knotweed on the property, helping the sale process reach completion.
The gulf between a vendor’s perception of a Japanese knotweed problem and that of the buyer are often poles apart, resulting in many property sales failing due to a simple lack of knowledge.
Environet provides impartial professional Pre-Purchase Reports to bridge this gap. They can be commissioned by the buyer, the seller, or jointly to ensure complete impartiality.
The Reports are prepared following a site survey, where both parties can be present.
Reports cover as standard:
- Identification of the extent of infestation
- Opinion on whether damage has occurred to the building fabric as a result of the Japanese knotweed
- Potential legal issues such as encroachment to or from adjoining land
- Site specific issues that affect the possible treatment options
- Recommended control or eradication methodology with costs.
If you want any other specific issue to be addressed in the report this can usually be accommodated at no further cost.
Once the issues are understood by both parties sensible dialogue can commence to assist with taking the sale to a successful completion.
The report will include a costed proposal for the control or guaranteed eradication of the Japanese knotweed, which can be instructed by either the buyer or seller. Where instructed by the seller any benefits such as the guarantee can be assigned to the buyer.
The cost for the survey and report is only £495 + VAT, plus travel disbursements. Costs assumes typical property with grounds not exceeding 1 acre. Terms and Conditions apply.
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We can usually complete the site survey and issue the report in a matter of days. Call or email us - we can take your order and credit card payment over the phone.