Underground Utility Surveys

Our expert utility surveyors use cutting-edge technology to accurately locate and map all buried pipes, cables, and services before you break ground. From basic scans to comprehensive PAS 128 compliant surveys, we provide the precise data you need to prevent costly damages, avoid dangerous accidents, and ensure your project runs smoothly and safely.

Underground Utility Surveying Services

£470.00 - £900.00

View Options

Why Underground Utility Survey Matters?

Underground utility surveys are crucial because they mitigate significant risks associated with excavation and construction projects. Here’s why they matter:

Prevents Accidents and Injuries
Avoids Costly Delays and Financial Penalties
Ensures Legal Compliance
Protects Infrastructure

The primary reason is safety. Hitting an underground utility can lead to severe accidents, including electrocution, gas explosions, or flooding, which can cause serious injury or death to workers and the public.

Damaging utilities can halt an entire project, leading to expensive repairs, project delays, and potential legal fines. A survey helps you avoid these unexpected costs.

Many regulations, such as the UK’s HSG47, require you to take reasonable steps to identify and locate buried services before any digging begins. A professional survey provides the necessary documentation to meet these requirements.

It protects valuable assets owned by utility companies and the public, ensuring the continuous supply of essential services like electricity, gas, water, and telecommunications.

Advantages of Conducting an Underground Survey:

🟩 Enhanced Safety: The most significant advantage is the protection of workers and the public. By accurately identifying the location of buried services, you drastically reduce the risk of striking them, which could lead to severe accidents, including electrocution, gas explosions, or flooding.
🟩 Cost Savings: Avoiding damage to utilities prevents costly emergency repairs, project delays, and potential fines for non-compliance. A survey is a proactive investment that saves significant money in the long run.
🟩 Project Efficiency: Knowing the exact location of underground utilities allows for better planning and execution of projects. It helps avoid unexpected obstacles and allows for a smooth workflow, keeping the project on schedule and within budget.
🟩 Legal Compliance: A professional survey provides the documentation needed to comply with regulations like HSG47, which requires due diligence in locating and protecting buried services. This helps in avoiding legal liabilities and ensuring a safe work environment.

Underground Utility Survey Techniques

Electromagnetic Location (EML)

This is one of the most widely used and effective techniques for detecting metallic utilities.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

GPR is a highly versatile, non-invasive method that complements EML.

CCTV Drain Surveys

This technique is used to inspect the interior of drainage and ductwork systems.

Vacuum Excavation

This is a method of safely exposing buried utilities for direct verification and inspection.

Our Underground Utility Survey Includes

Basic Survey

A Basic Survey is a fundamental, on-site assessment that primarily involves a surveyor using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) to scan the ground. The surveyor marks the detected utilities directly on the surface with paint or chalk. This type of survey is quicker and more cost-effective than a full PAS128 survey. It is designed for preliminary checks and provides an approximate location of buried services, but it is not as accurate or comprehensive as higher-level surveys.

PAS128 Survey

A PAS128 Survey is a rigorous and highly accurate approach that adheres to the Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 128 standard. It goes beyond a simple ground scan, offering an accuracy rate of approximately 95%. This comprehensive method involves a multi-step process: a Desktop Study to analyze existing records, Site Reconnaissance for a visual inspection, and a Geophysical Survey using advanced equipment like GPR and EML. The survey culminates in a comprehensive Final Report with a digital map, making it the preferred choice for major projects that require reliable data for effective risk management.

Retained Cat and Genny Surveyor

A retained cat and genny surveyor is a qualified professional who stays on-site for the duration of a project, providing ongoing support and guidance during the excavation process. They are equipped with a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT), a handheld device that detects electromagnetic signals from buried pipes and cables, and a Genny, a transmitter that induces a detectable signal onto non-conductive or non-live utilities. The main purpose of a retained surveyor is to provide real-time, dynamic surveying, which is especially useful for projects with multiple excavations or complex ground conditions. Their presence ensures that safety protocols are followed and they can immediately respond to unexpected findings, preventing accidents and project delays.

Importance of Underground Utility Surveys

In conclusion, an underground utility survey is an indispensable first step for any project involving groundworks. It is more than just a procedural task; it is a critical investment in safety, efficiency, and project integrity. By turning the unseen into the seen, these surveys provide the essential knowledge needed to navigate the subsurface with confidence, ensuring that your project is not only successful but also safe for everyone involved.