Domestic Japanese Knotweed Removal, Surveys & Management
Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is one of the most aggressive invasive plants in the UK. If left unmanaged, it can damage foundations, walls, drains and patios, and it can dramatically affect property value and your ability to get a mortgage. Removing Japanese knotweed from a home isn’t something to do yourself. It needs to be handled by specialists who can plan properly, use the right treatment, and make sure everything meets legal requirements.
At SE Environmental, we specialise in domestic Japanese knotweed removal, working closely with homeowners, buyers, sellers, estate agents, landlords, and property investors. Whether your property is already affected, or you’re considering purchasing or selling a home with knotweed, we can guide you through the process, legally, practically, and with minimal disruption.
Our CSJK-qualified surveyors provide tailored management plans, professional reports, and insurance-backed guarantees designed to satisfy mortgage lenders and reassure buyers.
- Insurance backed guarantees (IBG’s)
- Domestic property specialists
- Mortgage approval support
- Nationwide coverage
- Qualified knotweed professionals
Japanese Knotweed Removal for Home Buyers
Buying a home with Japanese knotweed doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. Our specialist team can assess the property, identify any infestations, and provide a fully funded, legally compliant management and treatment plan. Small garden patches are very different from plants affecting the structure, so we tailor our approach to the severity and location of the knotweed.
Using proven methods like herbicide treatment, excavation when suitable, and root barriers to prevent reinfestation, we handle the process safely and professionally. All work comes with long-term monitoring and we can offer insurance-backed guarantees in addition to our company guarantee, giving buyers and lenders the confidence they need to complete the purchase smoothly.
How We Help Buyers
Pre-Purchase Survey / Knotweed Inspection – Detailed site inspections and identification reports as requested by lenders.
Remediation Plan Quotation – Clear, itemised plan for treatment, timescale, and cost.
Post-Treatment Monitoring & Certification – Compliance reports and certified guarantees to satisfy lenders.
Mortgage Support & Advice – Guidance on lender requirements for a smooth purchase.
Professional Guidance – Expert recommendations to protect your investment.
Japanese Knotweed Removal for Home Sellers
Selling a property with Japanese knotweed is entirely possible with the right plan in place. While the plant is never a selling point, it rarely prevents a sale, especially when professionally managed. Whether selling to a cash buyer or via mortgage, having a Japanese Knotweed Management Plan (JKMP) in place gives buyers peace of mind and ensures lenders will approve the sale.
For mortgage-backed sales, most lenders require:
- A JKMP from a PCA-accredited contractor
- A 10-year Company Guarantee
- A 10-year Insurance-Backed Guarantee (IBG)
All of these must be fully paid for by the seller before completion. The IBG protects the buyer even if the contractor ceases trading, ensuring continuity of treatment.
Treatment is usually via herbicide application, the most practical solution for domestic properties. This involves trained technicians applying contractor-grade herbicide, typically over three years, with two years of follow-up monitoring to ensure regrowth is controlled. Excavation is an option in rare cases, but it is costly, disruptive, and often impractical for domestic settings.
How We Help Sellers
- Survey & Assessment – Full-site inspection to determine the extent of the infestation and structural risk.
- Remediation & Removal – Herbicide treatment, excavation where possible, and root barriers for long-term control.
- Certification & Guarantees – JKMP, Company Guarantee, and Insurance-Backed Guarantee included.
- Support in Conveyancing – Advice on legal obligations and TA6 form completion to avoid disputes.
Selling a property with Japanese knotweed doesn’t have to be stressful. With a professional plan in place, we can handle the survey, treatment, and guarantees—helping your sale move forward smoothly and giving both you and the buyer confidence.
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
“Incredibly grateful to SE Environmental for arranging an inspection and delivering a survey all within 24 hours of my getting in touch ahead of exchange on a house – impeccable service!”
- Charlotte
“Couldn’t recommend highly enough. Without the fast response of SE Environmental we wouldn’t have been able to sell my house and buy our dream home. From the advice on the phone to the survey the next day and the report and management plan TWO HOURS after the survey was completed, the quality of service was faultless. I also couldn’t help myself searching for costs for both the initial survey and report and the treatment programme from other companies and SEE were the cheapest by far.”
- Jess
“I couldn’t recommend SE Environmental highly enough. I didn’t think I would be able to sell my house with Japanese Knotweed in the garden but a survey was able to be carried out the next day by a lovely chap and I had the management plan 3 hours after. The sale went ahead and I couldn’t be happier with the service.”
- Natalie
About Us
SE Environmental Services helps homeowners safely buy or sell properties affected by Japanese Knotweed. We provide professional surveys, treatment, and long-term management plans to permanently control this invasive plant and give buyers and lenders the confidence they need.
With over 25 years of experience, our domestic Japanese knotweed team ensures every property is handled in accordance with legal requirements and industry standards, protecting your home and your investment.
Japanese Knotweed FAQs
Not necessarily. While Japanese Knotweed can make buyers and mortgage lenders more cautious, having a management plan from a reputable company, along with the correct guarantees in place, ensures it doesn’t prevent your sale.
Costs depend on the size and severity of the infestation and the treatment method:
- Herbicide Treatment: The most common method involves multiple treatments over time (3 years of treatment + 2 years of monitoring).
- Cost: Around £2,000–£2,500
- Cost: Around £2,000–£2,500
- Excavation and Removal: Digging up affected soil and plant material; necessary for severe infestations.
- Cost: £5,000–£10,000+ depending on size, soil volume, and access.
Yes. A SE Environmental Management Plan can be transferred to the new property owner at any time (small fee applies), including the remaining treatment programme and guarantee.
Standard herbicide programmes involve 3 years of treatment followed by 2 years of monitoring, but treatment may continue as needed to fully control the infestation.
Herbicides are applied to the leaves (foliar). Waiting until the plant has more leaves ensures the chemical is absorbed and reaches the rhizomes effectively. Treating too early can prolong the treatment programme.
No. The herbicides we use have very low toxicity to humans, animals, birds, fish, and insects. Glyphosate, the most common herbicide, targets an enzyme found only in plants and is rated by the World Health Organisation as ‘practically non-toxic’. Public access does not need to be restricted after spraying.
Yes. It isn’t always a deal-breaker. Most mortgage lenders will approve the purchase if there is a Japanese Knotweed Management Plan in place with the correct guarantees.
YES! You can sell a house with Japanese Knotweed. Read more about selling a house with Japanese knotweed.
It can reduce the asking price or deter some buyers, especially if untreated. However, structural damage is rare, and with a proper management plan, lenders and buyers are reassured, allowing the sale to proceed.
If treated correctly by a professional, the risk of regrowth is very low. Follow-up monitoring in the JKMP ensures it’s fully controlled.
Get in touch
Please complete our enquiry form or get in touch at office@seenvironmental.co.uk
