Knotweed FAQ's

Do I have to treat my Japanese Knotweed; can I just leave it as it’s not bothering anyone at the moment?

Knotweed is recognised as significant problem within the UK because it’s difficult to treat and spreads so quickly. If ignored, it gets stronger and more difficult and costly to treat. It can cause extensive damage to structural work, like walls, fences, drainage systems and paving to your and potentially your neighbour’s property. It grows through concrete, bricks, roofs and tiles, undermining the strength of them as it spreads.

The sale of our property will fall through because the buyer has been refused a mortgage/loan due to Japanese Knotweed on our land. Can C&F help?

Most major lenders can refuse mortgages not only where knotweed is on the property but also on adjoining land. C&F can help most home owners by removing the knotweed either before or after completion, issuing a guarantee to satisfy the lender and assigning the guarantee to the new owner.

We have a commercial project and have existing contractors who can excavate the infected soil etc but need a consultant to oversee the process – can C&F assist?

Absolutely, we provide a consultation only service to many of our clients and can arrange for references from those clients. Clients who have used C&F for consultation only include Tesco.

We’re thinking of cutting down the Knotweed so surveyors don't spot it?

You are of course allowed to remove knotweed from your land yourself, although you must not dispose of it in your council bins but in specialist landfill sites. Hiding it may mean it isn’t spotted by the surveyors but if during the conveyance process you withhold or give false information regarding knotweed, you are leaving yourself open to being sued for misrepresentation once the sale is complete. So rather than take this risky approach, call C&F now and we’ll help you find the right solution.

I want to buy a property but the next door neighbours have Japanese Knotweed. Should I not buy it?

We suggest you first try and discuss the issue with the seller and ask them to put pressure on their neighbour to put a treatment plan in place which C&F can provide a quote for. Or call C&F and we can talk you through other additional solutions such as warranties and Bond Pay Schemes which we’ve used for previous clients which have helped resolve this type of concern.

I think I may have Japanese Knotweed – but I’m not sure?

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it a photo of the suspected plant and we’ll happily let you know if it is Japanese Knotweed.

Can I just cut it down and dig out the roots?

Definitely not a good idea… You’re very unlikely to get it all and it’ll just grow back stronger and probably in a few different places. Plus you will need to dispose of it in specialist landfill – it’s against the law to put it into your council bill! Call C&F now on 01582 507 937 and we’ll help you decide the most efficient and economical way to eradicate your Japanese Knotweed.

How much does it cost to treat knotweed?

As a general rule, the faster you want it eradicated, the higher the cost but there are lots of other considerations that affect price, so please contact us for a budget cost or a detailed quotation.

It’s winter time and my Japanese Knotweed looks like it has died?

Japanese Knotweed sometimes looks like it has died away during winter. Sorry but it hasn’t and it won’t die unless treated. It will flourish again in spring and will continue to mature and develop every year until it’s treated.

Is the cost of knotweed treatment or eradication, or any related damage repairs, covered under normal building insurance policies?

That depends on the exact wording of your policy, but we’ve come across several clients where it hasn’t been covered. These insurers didn’t cover damage caused by gradual events so it’s important to discuss this immediately with your insurer. Another good reason to deal with your Japanese Knotweed as soon as you spot it.