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How Much Does it Cost to Treat Japanese Knotweed?

Japanese knotweed is one of the most problematic weeds in the UK today due to its invasive nature and rapid growth rate. As well as harming the surrounding eco-system, Japanese knotweed is able to force its way through the smallest weaknesses in walls, pavements, tarmac, drainage and even structural foundations of buildings.  When left unnoticed, the relentless weed is capable of inflicting thousands of pounds of damage on homeowners, councils and businesses.

What makes Japanese knotweed so frustrating is its extreme durability. Having originated from the desolate slopes of volcanoes in Japan, the weed is able to withstand harsh weather and grow practically anywhere, returning year on year. Its roots grow up to 3m deep into the ground, making it a nightmare to completely remove. If even the smallest part of a plant is left in soil, it can make a speedy return and continue to grow up to 10cm per day during spring and summer.

Completely eradicating Japanese knotweed can be costly and time-consuming, and sometimes more than one method of eradication is needed. To limit its chances of ever making a return, it’s best to consult with a professional service as soon as you discover the growth of Japanese knotweed on your property.

The Problem

Japanese knotweed is able to ‘spread like wildfire’, so it’s the responsibility of every individual to contain it within their property once its growth has been discovered. It’s not against the law to have Japanese knotweed on your property, but inaction that allows it to spread to any surrounding land is an offence that could incur fines of up to £20,000 if you are a business.

The sheer scale of the Japanese knotweed problem in the UK has pushed the government to intervene and help to control its growth and spread. Currently, there is legislation in place to control the weed, with the government working with various organisations specialising in its removal. The aggressive and invasive nature of Japanese knotweed has led to the rapid decline of property value for many homeowners. Surveyors are well aware of the costly damage that the weed can cause, so it is not uncommon for mortgages and planning permissions to be refused on this basis.

The Cost

While treating Japanese knotweed can be complicated, costly and time-consuming, it needs to be done. Leaving it untreated can quickly outgrow the cost of removing it, especially when factors such as legal expenses and structural damage to the building are taken into account.  The UK government estimates it would cost around £2-2.5bn to completely get rid of the weed across the country. However, there is no clear answer as to how much it would cost an individual to remove Japanese weed from their property, as every case and location will have different requirements.

To fully eradicate Japanese knotweed, the services of a specialist are required. The cost will vary and depends on the size of the area to be treated and estimated time of completion. Removing it from a smaller patch of land or a garden, however, would obviously be much less, but may still require a combination of treatments. Experts will usually choose from a combination of chemical removal, excavation, on-site incineration and composting.

Our Solution

JKSL are an expert Japanese knotweed removal service, with over 15 years of experience. As well as offering all of the above techniques, we’ve developed a more environmentally-friendly solution called MeshTech. This method of removal avoids the use of chemical treatments, leaving minimal footprints on the site where it’s applied.

If you’re uncertain about identifying Japanese knotweed on your property, our team can come and confirm its presence and then advise on the most appropriate cause of action to take. We have a 100% success rate, and we offer up to ten-warranty options to make sure that the weed has been well and truly eradicated from your property. If you want to know more about any of our services, get in touch with JKSL today.

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