Accurate Underground Utility Information
Pinpoint Mapping provides utility surveys in Bristol, Bath and across the South West for development, construction, engineering and infrastructure projects requiring reliable information about buried services.
Working with experienced specialist utility surveyors, underground services can be investigated using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), electromagnetic detection and available utility records. The survey methods and scope are selected according to the site and project requirements.
Utility survey information can also be coordinated with a topographical survey, providing the project team with measured information covering both visible site features and detected underground infrastructure.
What an Underground Utility Survey Can Identify
The precise survey content is agreed for each project. Utility detection can investigate a range of buried services and associated infrastructure, subject to the survey method, site conditions and detectability of the service.
Utility Services
- Electricity cables
- Gas infrastructure
- Water services
- Telecommunications
- Service ducts
- Other detectable buried services
Drainage & Infrastructure
- Drainage routes where detectable
- Manholes and inspection chambers
- Service connections
- Buried structures
- Utility chambers
- Associated surface features
Survey Information
- Detected utility routes
- Utility classifications
- Relevant survey annotations
- Utility records information
- Visible utility features
- Coordinated CAD information
Utility Surveys: Drawings & Deliverables
Following completion of the site investigation, utility surveys are processed and prepared for use by the wider project team.
Depending on the agreed survey scope, deliverables can include detected underground service routes, visible utility features, relevant annotations and utility records information.
Where a topographical survey is also required, above-ground and underground survey information can be coordinated within the project dataset.
The required coordinate system, CAD standards, survey specification and output formats should be identified before site work begins.
Typical Deliverables
- 2D utility survey drawings
- AutoCAD DWG files
- PDF survey drawings
- Detected utility routes and features
- Utility survey annotations
- Utility records information where included
- Coordinated topographical information where requested
Project-specific outputs should be confirmed when requesting the quotation.
Need Utility Surveys for Your Project?
Send us the site location, required survey area and intended use, and we can review the appropriate utility survey scope, detection methods and deliverables.
Request a Survey QuotationWhen Are Utility Surveys Needed?
Underground utility information can help project teams understand existing service constraints before proposals are developed or groundworks begin.
Planning & Design
Utility mapping can provide information about buried infrastructure before site layouts, drainage proposals, foundations and other designs are developed.
Development & Construction
Developers, contractors and engineers can use utility information to help plan proposed groundworks and understand known underground service constraints.
Highways & Infrastructure
Utility surveys can support road improvements, public realm schemes, infrastructure projects and other works involving existing service corridors.
Utility Detection Methods Selected for the Site and Project
Utility surveys normally combine different sources of information. The survey approach is selected according to the expected services, site conditions, project specification and intended outputs.
Ground Penetrating Radar
Ground Penetrating Radar transmits electromagnetic energy into the ground and records reflections created by changes in subsurface materials and features.
GPR can help identify buried utilities and other subsurface features where suitable ground conditions and detectable contrasts exist.
Electromagnetic Detection
Electromagnetic detection equipment is used to identify and trace suitable conductive underground utilities.
Passive and active locating techniques can be used depending on the service being investigated and the available means of applying or detecting a signal.
Utility Records Searches
Existing utility records can provide useful information about known infrastructure within or close to the survey area.
Records can help inform the site investigation but should not be relied upon as a substitute for physical utility detection.
Utility Surveys: Scope Agreed in Advance
Before site attendance, the survey area, required utility investigation, available records, project specification, coordinate system, outputs, access arrangements and delivery programme should be confirmed.
Where a project requires PAS 128:2022 underground utility detection, verification and location, this should be identified when requesting the quotation so the required survey type, investigation scope, quality requirements and deliverables can be established before work begins.
Utility Detection & Safe Working Around Buried Services
Utility surveys provide important underground information where projects involve excavation, intrusive investigation or construction work around buried services.
However, a utility survey should form part of the wider planning and safe system of work appropriate to the project. Survey information does not remove the need for appropriate site procedures when ground is subsequently broken.
The Health and Safety Executive publishes guidance covering the planning of work, locating and identifying underground services and safe excavation.
Official HSE Guidance
HSG47 provides guidance for those commissioning, planning, managing or carrying out work on or near underground services.
Read HSE HSG47 – Avoiding Danger from Underground Services →
Why Choose Pinpoint Mapping for Utility Surveys?
Pinpoint Mapping coordinates utility surveys alongside our wider measured survey services, providing clear communication and a practical survey scope based on the project requirements.
Where required, underground utility information can be combined with topographical surveys or highway surveys to provide coordinated project information.
Clear Project Scope
The survey area, required utility investigation, available records and final deliverables are established before site work begins.
Practical CAD Deliverables
Survey information is prepared in practical drawing formats for use by architects, engineers, designers, contractors and other project professionals.
Specialist Detection Methods
GPR, electromagnetic detection and utility records are used as appropriate to the site, required investigation and agreed utility survey scope.
Regional Service & Direct Contact
Based near Bristol, we support utility survey projects across Bristol, Bath and the wider South West, with projects farther afield also considered.
A Clear Process for Utility Surveys
Our utility surveys follow a clear process: we establish the requirements at the start, undertake the agreed utility investigation and prepare the completed survey information for practical use by the project team.
STEP 1
Review the Requirements
We review the site location, proposed survey area, required investigation, available information, intended outputs and project timescale.
STEP 2
Agree the Scope
The survey limits, utility detection requirements, records, control, access arrangements, quotation and programme are confirmed.
STEP 3
Survey & Investigate
The agreed utility investigation is undertaken using detection methods appropriate to the site and project requirements.
STEP 4
Process & Deliver
Survey findings are reviewed, processed and prepared in the agreed drawing and data formats for delivery to the project team.
Utility Surveys Across the South West
Pinpoint Mapping provides utility surveys across Bristol, Bath and the wider South West for planning, design, development, construction and infrastructure projects.
Our regular working area includes Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and surrounding areas. Projects farther afield across the UK can also be considered depending on the survey scope and programme.
See the full areas we cover, request a survey quotation or send us the project location for confirmation.
Typical Coverage
- Bristol
- Bath
- Gloucestershire
- Somerset
- Wiltshire
- Wider South West
- UK projects where required
Utility Surveys FAQs
Answers to common questions about utility surveys, GPR, electromagnetic detection, underground services and survey deliverables.
What is an underground utility survey?
An underground utility survey is an investigation used to detect and map buried services and associated infrastructure. Depending on the project, the investigation can combine existing utility records, electromagnetic detection and Ground Penetrating Radar.
What utilities can a utility survey identify?
A utility survey can help identify detectable electricity cables, gas and water services, telecommunications, ducts, drainage and other buried infrastructure. Detection depends on the characteristics of the service, site conditions and the survey methods being used.
What is a GPR utility survey?
Ground Penetrating Radar uses electromagnetic energy to investigate features beneath the ground surface. Reflections within the recorded data can help identify buried utilities and other subsurface features where suitable conditions exist.
What is electromagnetic utility detection?
Electromagnetic detection uses locating equipment to identify and trace suitable conductive buried services. Passive and active detection methods can be used depending on the service and available access.
Do I need a utility records search?
Existing utility records can provide useful information about known infrastructure within or close to the site and can help inform the field investigation. They should not be treated as a substitute for appropriate on-site utility detection.
Can utility surveys be carried out to PAS 128?
Where PAS 128:2022 is specified for the project, this should be identified at quotation stage so the required survey type, investigation scope, quality requirements and deliverables can be reviewed before site work begins.
Can a utility survey find every buried service?
No underground detection method can guarantee that every buried utility will be identified. Detection can be affected by service material, depth, ground conditions, congestion, site access and other factors.
Can a utility survey be combined with a topographical survey?
Yes. Utility survey information can be coordinated with a topographical survey where both above-ground site features and detected underground services are required for the project.
What utility survey deliverables can you provide?
Typical outputs can include DWG and PDF utility survey drawings showing the detected services, relevant visible features, classifications and survey annotations. Exact deliverables should be agreed before the survey begins.
How much does a utility survey cost?
The cost of a utility survey depends on the survey area, site complexity, utility detection requirements, available records, access conditions, required specification, deliverables and programme. A marked-up plan showing the required survey extent is usually the clearest way for us to prepare a quotation.
Do you provide utility surveys in Bristol, Bath and the South West?
Yes. Pinpoint Mapping provides utility survey services across Bristol, Bath and the wider South West, with projects farther afield also considered depending on the survey requirements.
Discuss Your Utility Survey Requirements
Send us the site address, required survey area, intended use and preferred deliverables. We will review the information and advise on the appropriate utility survey scope and investigation requirements.
A marked-up survey extent, existing drawings, utility information, project specifications, site photographs and access details can help us understand the work and prepare an accurate quotation.