Utility Surveys
Accurate underground utility location and mapping surveys using electromagnetic locating and ground-penetrating radar, helping project teams plan, design and excavate with greater confidence.
Reliable Underground Utility Detection and Mapping
Utility surveys identify and map buried services before design, excavation or construction work begins. They help reduce uncertainty around the location of electricity, gas, water, drainage, telecommunications and other underground infrastructure.
One Stop Consult coordinates specialist utility surveyors who use electromagnetic locating equipment and ground-penetrating radar to investigate known and unknown services within the agreed survey area.
Survey findings can be supplied as clear 2D drawings or, where required, developed into more detailed 3D and BIM-compatible outputs for design coordination.
When Is a Utility Survey Recommended?
Utility mapping is valuable wherever buried services may influence safety, design, construction cost or programme.
Before Excavation
To help identify buried services before trenches, foundations, drainage runs or service connections are formed.
During Site Design
To support architects, engineers and designers when positioning buildings, roads, drainage and new infrastructure.
For Redevelopment Sites
To investigate complex sites where historic records may be incomplete, inaccurate or unavailable.
Infrastructure Projects
For highways, utilities, public-realm, rail, civil-engineering and large development schemes.
Drainage and Groundworks
To reduce the risk of clashes when planning new drainage, attenuation, foundations or external works.
Facilities Management
To improve records of buried infrastructure across operational, industrial and managed estates.
Utility Detection Techniques
A combination of locating methods is often used because no single technique can reliably detect every buried service or ground condition.
The survey methodology is selected around the site, required confidence level and information available before attendance.
Services That May Be Located
The survey can identify a wide range of detectable underground services within the agreed survey area.
Electricity
High-voltage and low-voltage cables, street lighting and other detectable electrical infrastructure.
Gas
Gas mains and service routes where detectable using the agreed survey techniques.
Water
Water mains, supply routes and associated buried infrastructure.
Drainage
Foul and surface-water drainage routes, chambers and associated pipework where accessible and detectable.
Telecommunications
Telecoms, fibre, data and communications ducts or cables.
Unknown Features
GPR may identify buried anomalies, ducts, voids or unrecorded features requiring further investigation.
PAS 128 Utility Mapping
PAS 128 provides a structured approach to underground utility detection, verification and recording. It helps clients understand the level of confidence attached to the surveyed information.
The required survey category should be agreed before work begins, as the methodology, deliverables and level of verification can vary significantly depending on the project.
What You May Receive
Deliverables are agreed around the project requirements and intended use of the survey information.
2D Utility Drawing
A clear plan showing detected service routes, annotations, confidence information and survey limits.
CAD Files
Digital drawing information suitable for coordination with the wider design team.
Survey Report
Supporting information explaining the methods used, limitations and relevant observations.
3D Utility Model
Three-dimensional outputs where the project requires enhanced coordination or clash review.
BIM-Compatible Data
Modelled utility information prepared for integration within a coordinated BIM workflow where agreed.
Site Mark-Out
Physical marking of detected utility routes on site where included within the agreed scope.
Why Carry Out a Utility Survey?
Reliable underground information can reduce risk and improve decision making throughout design and construction.
Safer Groundworks
Helps reduce the likelihood of accidental contact with buried services during excavation.
Fewer Design Clashes
Allows proposed foundations, drainage and new services to be coordinated around existing infrastructure.
Better Cost Control
Early information can reduce unexpected diversions, delays and redesign during construction.
Improved Planning
Gives project teams greater confidence when developing layouts, programmes and construction methods.
Clearer Site Records
Produces a coordinated record of detectable buried infrastructure within the surveyed area.
Support for BIM
Detailed outputs can support digital coordination and asset information requirements.
How the Utility Survey Process Works
The process begins with a review of the proposed works, survey area and required deliverables.
Scope Review
Confirm the survey area, proposed works, site access and required level of detail.
Desktop Preparation
Review available plans, statutory records and client information before attendance.
Site Survey
Complete electromagnetic locating, GPR scanning and relevant visual checks.
Data Processing
Interpret and coordinate the captured information, including post-processing where required.
Final Deliverables
Issue the agreed 2D drawings, report, CAD information or 3D model.
Information Required for a Quotation
Provide the full site address, a clear survey boundary and a brief description of the proposed works.
Please also send any available utility records, topographical survey, site plan, proposed design drawings and details of the required output format.
Utility Surveys for a Range of Sites
The survey can be tailored to projects ranging from small development sites to complex infrastructure and operational estates.
Nationwide Utility Survey Coverage
One Stop Consult coordinates underground utility surveys throughout mainland UK, with survey personnel, equipment and deliverables matched to the size and complexity of each project.
Other Services Your Project May Require
Utility surveys are often coordinated alongside site investigation, drainage, structural and planning services.
Important Utility Survey Information
Utility surveys reduce uncertainty but cannot guarantee that every buried service or feature will be detected. Results depend on access, ground conditions, service material, depth, congestion, available records and the limitations of the survey techniques used. Trial holes, vacuum excavation or other verification may be required before critical excavation or construction. One Stop Consult provides consultancy and coordination support through its specialist utility-survey network.
Utility Survey FAQs
What is a utility survey?
It is an investigation used to locate and map detectable underground services within a defined survey area.
What is PAS 128?
PAS 128 is a recognised framework for underground utility detection, verification and recording, including the classification of survey information.
What is the difference between EML and GPR?
Electromagnetic locating traces conductive services or signals, while ground-penetrating radar can identify buried features and anomalies by detecting changes below the surface.
Can a utility survey detect every buried service?
No survey method can guarantee detection of every service. Results are influenced by service type, depth, material, ground conditions, congestion and access.
Can the results be supplied in CAD?
Yes. Utility information can commonly be supplied as 2D CAD drawings, with 3D or BIM-compatible outputs available where included in the agreed scope.
Do I still need trial holes?
Physical verification may still be required around critical services, proposed excavation points or locations where survey confidence is limited.
Do you provide utility surveys nationwide?
Yes. We coordinate suitable utility-survey specialists for eligible projects throughout mainland UK.
Request Your Free Utility Survey Quote
Complete the form below with the site address, proposed works and required survey area. Upload any available plans, utility records and output requirements so our team can review the project and coordinate an appropriate quotation.