Before You Renew: 5 Questions to Ask Your Leak Detection Partner

A contract with a leak detection company can be renewed almost automatically, until an urgent job exposes a gap in response, access or reporting. For FM teams responsible for offices, retail, healthcare, leisure or multi-site estates, a leak can interrupt the people and services that use the building. Renewal is a useful moment to test whether the leak detection services, coverage and working process still fit the properties you manage. 

1. What response time can they demonstrate?

Ask how response targets are measured and what recent jobs actually achieved, including out-of-hours requests and harder-to-reach sites. Confirm where coverage is available, what counts as an emergency and when an engineer could realistically attend. A headline response time is less useful than evidence against the service levels your buildings need. 

2. Do their leak detection services suit the buildings and systems in your portfolio?

A live hospital, a listed building and a busy retail site each set different limits on access, disruption and isolation. Ask for relevant examples and how the team chooses a method for concealed pipework, external mains, heating systems or water ingress. The answer should show how their leak detection approach is scoped around the site, rather than offer the same method for every leak. 

3. What happens outside standard hours?

Many buildings remain occupied or operational early in the morning, overnight or at weekends. Others can only release an area for investigation when trading or clinical activity has stopped. Confirm call-out availability, escalation contacts, access requirements and any out-of-hours rates before the next incident. A planned visit outside normal hours and an emergency response may be different services. 

4. What is included in the leak detection cost and what happens after the first visit?

Compare the basis of the quotation, the time allowed, travel, additional engineers or equipment, and the price of any return visit. Ask what happens if the source cannot be confirmed during the initial attendance and whether repair, access or reinstatement is included. A clear scope and next-step process makes the cost easier to assess than a low headline rate on its own. 

5. Will the leak detection survey report support the next decision?

A useful leak detection survey report distinguishes observations from conclusions, records the methods used and states any limitations or further action required. For multi-site operators, consistent reports also help track recurring issues and support discussions with contractors and insurers. Ask to see a representative report and check when it would be delivered.  

Use the answers to compare the service against the actual risks in your estate: the sites that cannot easily close, the systems that need careful isolation and the people who must approve the next step. The same questions are fair to ask an existing provider before renewing. 

Reviewing your leak detection arrangements? Talk to SOS about coverage, investigation methods, reporting and how our leak detection services would work across your sites. 

SOS Leak Detection Ltd
Nationwide specialist leak detection
0800 046 3492 | enquiries@sosleakdetection.com
sosleakdetection.com