Underground Services Survey

When planning any excavation, construction or development project, an accurate underground services survey is critical. Buried pipes, cables and infrastructure pose serious safety and financial risks if not properly located — which is why experienced detection and mapping are essential before breaking ground.

What is an underground services survey?

An underground services survey (also known as underground utility detection or buried services locating) is the process of identifying and mapping underground infrastructure such as:

  • Power cables
  • Communication cables
  • Sewer
  • Water
  • Stormwater
  • Gas

These surveys support safe design, excavation and construction, helping avoid costly utility strikes and service disruptions.

How we locate buried services

At Landair Surveys our  trained locators use advanced technology and best-practice methods to accurately identify and map underground utility infrastructure.

  1. Electromagnetic Induction (EMI)
    EMI detects conductive materials like power cables and metal pipes. A transmitter applies a signal to the target line, which is picked up by a receiver on the surface.
  2. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
    GPR is used to detect non-conductive services like plastic water mains or fibre optic cables. It sends radar pulses into the ground and measures the reflected signals to reveal underground objects.

Using both EMI and GPR together allows us to generate a more complete picture of what’s below, ensuring better planning and safer excavation.

Why it matters: Risks and Compliance

Failing to conduct a proper underground services survey can lead to:

  • Injury or death from striking high-voltage or gas lines
  • Delays and unexpected costs from emergency repairs or redesigns
  • Legal risk due to non-compliance with safety regulations
  • Damage to critical infrastructure, utilities, and your reputation

While tools like Dial Before You Dig are useful, they don’t replace the need for on-site verification. A certified survey from our NULCA trained team provides the confidence and accuracy your project needs.

When to use undergrounds services surveying

  • Before site surveys in construction
  • During land development design and approvals
  • Prior to excavation, trenching, or piling
  • When verifying the location of existing utility infrastructure
  • For detailed pipeline mapping and asset documentation

Get a professional underground services survey