How Much Does It Cost to Remove Japanese Knotweeds?
What is the reason Japanese knotweed is a problem?
Because of its poor reputation, some mortgage companies will not lend when Japanese knotweed is a problem at the site, unless an insurance-backed guarantee as well as a management plan is in place.
There is evidence to suggest that Japanese knotweed isn’t quite as big of a problem as was once thought.
But it’s an issue that must be handled by professionals.
What is the cost to remove Japanese Knotweed?
The typical cost of eliminating knotweed from an area that is domestic will be around £500 up to £2000 to cover an area of 20m2 or less. £2000 or £3000 for an area of 20-50m2 and £3000 up to £5000 for an area of 50m2 up to 100m2.
In the case of a commercial zone, a herbicide treatment over a period of five years can cost from £1000 to £3000 on an area approximately 50m2. and £3000 to £5000 for 50-100m2 areas and £4500-£6500 for 100m to 500m2, or £5000-£10,000 in the case of 500-1000m2.
In the strategy to reduce dig and root barriers by using herbicides, it’ll cost around £2000 or £5000 to cover an area of 50m2 or less. £5000 up to £10,000 in 50-100m2 areas and £15,000- £40,000 for 100m to 500m2, or £40,000 plus for 500-1000m2 areas.
For on-site relocation and herbicides, you should pay between £5000 and £10,000 for 50m2 or less £11,000-£20,000 for 50-100m2 areas and £12,500 to £20,000 for a space of 100m to 500m2 and £18,000 to £30,000 for 500-1000m2 areas.
A complete digging and disposal project, which is also referred to as digging and dump will cost you between £5000 up to £20,000 50m2, and £14,000–£39,000 for 50-100m2, and £35,000 to a £120,000 for a 100m-500m2 area, and you’ll require an investment of between £100,000–£200,000 should it be a 500-1000m2 space.
What factors can impact the total price for Japanese knotweed elimination and treatments?
The cost for Japanese knotweed removal may be affected by the treatment method as well as the size of the treatment area, the ease of access, the number of contractors hired, the type of materials used in the treatment and the area of your home.
If you reside in the southeast (London particularly) You can expect to pay more Japanese knotweed removal costs as compared to if you live within Northern Ireland, Scotland, the North region of England, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.
It is because of the different cost of living across the UK that has caused tradespeople to determine rates that are appropriate for their area.
Domestic Japanese Knotweed Removal Prices
| Size of Area | Cost |
| 20m2 or less | £500 to £2000 |
| 20-50m2 | £2000 to £3000 |
| 50-100m2 | £3000 to £5000 |
Commercial Japanese Knotweed Removal Prices
| Removal Type | 50m2 or less | 50-100m2 | 100-500m2 | 500-1000m2 |
| Herbicide treatment Over Five Years | £1000 to £3000 | £3000 to £5000 | £4000 to £6500 | £5000 to £10,000 |
| Reduce Dig & Root Barriers with Herbicide Treatments | £2000 to £5000 | £5000 to £10,000 | £15,000 to £40,000 | £40,000+ |
| Pick and Sort/Screening | £2000 to £5000 | £5000 to £10,000 | £15,000 to £40,000 | £40,000+ |
| Onsite Relocation and Herbicide | £5000 to £10,000 | £11,000 to £20,000 | £12,500 to £20,000 | £18,000 to £30,000 |
| Burial on Site | £5000 to £15,000 | £10,000 to £20,000 | £18,500 to £35,000 | £30,000 to £75,000 |
| Full Excavation and Disposal (Dig and Dump) | £5000 to £20,000 | £14,000 to £39,000 | £35,000 to £120,000 | £100,000 to £200,000 |
What are the Supply Costs of a Japanese Knotweed Removal?
The cost of removal for Japanese Knotweed will account for most of the overall price.
This section will break down how much the supply costs would be for different types of treatments/approaches.
Supply Japanese Knotweed Removal Cost
| Removal Type | 50m2 or less | 50-100m2 | 100-500m2 | 500-1000m2 |
| Herbicide treatment Over Five Years | £910 to £2750 | £2820 to £4550 | £3730 to £5800 | £4640 to £9100 |
| Reduce Dig & Root Barriers with Herbicide Treatments | £1910 to £4750 | £4820 to £9550 | £14,730 to £39,300 | £39,100+ |
| Pick and Sort/Screening | £1910 to £4750 | £4820 to £9550 | £14,730 to £39,300 | £39,100+ |
| Onsite Relocation and Herbicide | £4910 to £9750 | £10,820 to £19,550 | £11,140 to £19,300 | £17,640 to £29,100 |
| Burial on Site | £4910 to £14,300 | £9820 to £19,550 | £18,230 to £34,300 | £29,640 to £74,100 |
| Full Excavation and Disposal (Dig and Dump) | £4100 to £19,750 | £13,820 to £38,550 | £34,730 to £119,300 | £99,640 to £199,100 |
What are the Additional Costs of Removing Japanese Knotweed?
There are a variety of additional charges that could be incurred in eliminating Japanese knotweed. Let’s take a look at a few examples.
Minimum Fee
In many instances tradespeople will demand an amount that is minimal in the form of a fee that is added to your total invoice or integrated into your invoice. For example, if you have to pay a daily labour cost, regardless of whether the job takes more than seven hours or four hours, you’ll be charged for a single day of work.
Treatment Area/Type
The kind of treatment you choose will affect the price of the project, as will the size of the area to be treated. In the case of herbicide, it is more affordable than alternatives that cause more disruption like full excavation and removal. The more straightforward an area is to work on and the smaller the task will be and the less it’ll cost in the long run.
Number of Weeds
The more weeds you have and more invasive, the more task will be to get rid of the Japanese knotweeds effectively.
This means that the task will take more time and you will be able to anticipate an increase in cost over the course of.
Size of Area
In the beginning section, the bigger size of the space, the greater Japanese knotweed removal costs. In a 50m2-sized area removal, it could be less expensive than the cost of removing Japanese knotweed in a bigger 100m2 area.
Materials
The substances used to treat Japanese knotweed also affect the final cost. It’s not just the kind of material, but also the quality of the material too.
Number of Tradespeople
In most cases, a single specialist is employed to tackle Japanese knotweed elimination. For larger tasks, 2 or even more tradespeople are required. The more employees you have for your project, the greater your labour costs will be.
Of course, the more people working the faster it’s going to take. Therefore, whether the quantity of tradespeople influences the cost in general by causing it to increase or decrease depending on how well tradespeople interact.
Duration
The longer the task takes, the greater the cost of labour will be. Given that supply costs are the largest element in the cost generally but the time frame is not a major cost element.
Tradesmen Costs for Japanese Knotweed Removal
In this article we’ll look at the costs for labour to remove Japanese knotweed. We’ll also look at the way these costs can differ in the UK. The typical cost for labour in getting rid of Japanese knotweed ranges from £20 up to £50 each hour.
Based on the length of time that is involved, the cost of labour for Japanese knotweed removal in the domestic level is around £180 to £450.
The price for a small area, be it domestic or industrial, of 50m2 or less, would be around £90 to £250 and the labour cost ranging from £180 or £450 for 50-100m2 areas and £270 up to £700 for 100-500m2, while the cost for a 500-1000m2 space is £360 or £900 for a 500-1000m2 area.
How Long Does It Take to Remove Japanese Knotweed?
Let’s now look at the timeframes needed to get rid of Japanese knotweed. We’ll consider the time it will take based on the dimensions of the area, and consider what variables could affect the time.
If you have a 50m2 area smaller than that, the project should require about half a full day. If you have an area of 50 to 100m2 it is expected to last for a full day. If you have a 100-500m2 space, anticipate it to take around an hour and a half. However, for 500-1000m2 spaces it could take at least two days.
The factors that affect time include the amount of tradespeople involved, accessibility and the kind of treatment, and the size/type of area of treatment.
Types of Japanese Knotweed Treatments
In this section we’ll take a close examination of the various types that are used in Japanese knotweed treatments. We’ll look at the pros and pros of each choice.
There are many ways of finding Japanese knotweed. The first sign of it is when red shoots emerge. The leaves are shaped like a shovel. shape. The Japanese knotweed blooms have creamy white colours and their leaves start to turn yellow as time passes.
Herbicide Treatments
This technique is based on the use of herbicides, an ingredient which is harmful to plants, and is employed to eliminate Japanese knotweed. It’s also among the least expensive options in the removal of Japanese knotweed.
The downside of herbicide is that it’s not environmentally sustainable and can be detrimental to the health of animals and humans.
Pros:
- Effective in general
- Cheapest option
Cons:
- Not eco-friendly
- It can be hazardous to health
Excavation Treatment
The process of excavation involves the removal of all plant material. It’s essentially a method to remove the knotweed completely and to ensure that it won’t regenerate. In the end, if the herbicide is used only just on top of the soil, there’s no assurance that it will be effective.
Excavation is more costly but also a time-consuming and disruptive method, but it is a viable one. In many instances 7 metres of excavation horizontally, in all directions from the area of infestation could be required, in addition to excavation up for a distance of approximately three meters.
Pros:
- It is almost certain to work If done correctly
Cons:
- It is more expensive than using a herbicide
- Disruptive
Sifting & Screening
It involved sifting infested soils and the removal of all possible plant material, including the visible or invisible contaminants. Excavating can also be done by using an appropriate excavator.
This is a pretty comprehensive method and can be costly.
Pros:
- Usually, very efficient
Cons:
- A costly alternative
- Time-consuming
FAQs
Q: What does Japanese Knotweed look like?
A: For Japanese knotweed identification, it consists of creamy-white tassels that reach up to six inches in height, tall canes with a resemblance to bamboo, and leaves with a shovel or heart shape.
It’s important to distinguish it from plants that look like Japanese knotweed such as lesser knotweed, ornamental bistorts, and bindweed.
Q: Which is the best treatment for Japanese knotweed removal?
A: Herbicide is the best option in most cases, but it depends on your preferences. Excavation can be more eco-friendly and all but guaranteed to permanently remove the source of the issue while using a herbicide may not.
Q: What are the consequences of not removing Japanese knotweed?
A: For one, it can lead to structural problems with buildings, and it may cause issues with getting a mortgage.
Beyond that, if you knowingly let contaminated plant material or soil spread into local wildlife, you could face a fine of as much as £5000 or face up to two years in prison.
Q: Can I remove Japanese knotweed DIY?
A: You should hire a specialist to deal with the removal of Japanese knotweed. If not, you should at least seek professionals’ advice and only undertake this work, so long as you have obtained the necessary planning permission/building regulations approvals.
It’s also vital that you are confident you know exactly what is involved. If you have any doubts or/and would like to know more about any official approvals needed, please contact your local council.
Q: Is Japanese knotweed dangerous to touch?
A: It is not harmful to touch for people, but the risk is that you could cause it to spread more simply by tugging at it.
