Utility & Land Survey F.A.Q

The survey will endeavour to detail all the features and information requested by the client, to the stated accuracy specified within our quotation. This will be tailored to the client's needs and project requirement.

A survey may be as simple as coordinating a field boundary along with a grid of levels; through to a comprehensive survey of a built-up area, detailing building outlines, walls, fences, kerbs, verges, trees, ponds, streams, street furniture and ironwork, road markings etc. along with associated levels, ground elevation and contours where appropriate. 

Our fee for the survey includes the site surveying, processing the collected data using specialised land survey, terrain modelling and CAD software, and issue of the finished survey drawing. 
 

The combined suite of equipment and techniques used during a professional utilities survey does have the potential to detect all types of buried utilities, of both metallic and non-metallic construction.

That said, there may be limiting factors that can influence results, and in some cases render a theoretically detectable service, undetected.

Whilst the list of potentially limiting factors is lengthy, there are a few rules of thumb that have a bearing on the potential detectability of a target:

  • Smaller targets are harder to detect than larger ones (of the same material and at the same depth)
  • Deeper targets are harder to detect than shallower targets (of the same size and material)
  • Non-metallic services are often harder to detect than metallic ones (of the same size and depth)
  • Targets routed alone may prove easier to detect than in a congested area.
  • Targets with a point investigation (nodal point), such as a valve, hydrant, inspection chamber, section rising etc. are more likely to be detected than a similar service with no nodal point.
  • Utilities surveying is an interpretive activity, which takes many years of training and experience to become expert at. Whilst using up-to-date and high-quality equipment is a must, there is no technological substitute for an accomplished, profession practitioner.   


In addition to the above factors, ground penetrating radar (GPR) has specific limitations and influencing factors, and successful results are largely dependent on the physical composition and dielectric permittivity of the ground.


Generally speaking:


  • A smoother ground surface will likely yield better results than rough or bumpy terrain.
  • Clay heavy, mineralised or other conductive ground composition may limit signal penetration, and with this, significantly reduce the depth at which a target can be detected.
  • Blocky ground types can scatter GPR signal, impeding results.
  • Long grass or vegetation can impede results, or render an area unsuitable for GPR investigation.
  • An otherwise detectable service, routed immediately adjacent to or below other services, may prove undetectable.


It depends on site and ground conditions, along with the volume, nature, depth and configuration of the services. On some sites, a survey may detect one hundred percent of services present; on others, factors outside of our control may limit results.
No, there is no equipment nor any remote sensing technology in existence that can categorically determine that an area does not have buried services beneath.
Not always: A clearance scan is a relatively rapid, localised variant of a utilities mapping survey, with a focus on detecting the presence of services rather than necessarily determining the services' type or nature. The confined area of investigation may have a limiting influence on the completeness of results achievable. 

A full utilities survey may yield a more comprehensive picture of buried utilities, as many services may only be brought to light if we have the benefit of access to a nodal point, such as a draw-pit on fibre optic ducts, or a manhole on deep drainage, to facilitate certain active tracing techniques. If such a nodal point is situated outside of our area of investigation, and the service associated with the nodal point is not detailed on records made available to us prior to our survey commencing, the associated service within may remain undetected, even if it passes through a clearance scan area.
Yes, In certain circumstances.

A clearance scan is far quicker than a mapping type survey. 

The mapping survey follows an investigative, sequential procedure that is generally more involved than clearance scanning methodology. Results of the mapping survey are not complete until the survey is concluded as a whole. Conversely, a clearance scan of a localised area can normally be carried out immediately ahead of intrusive works, finishing one location, then moving on to the next.

The aim of a clearance scan is to minimise the risk of a service strike and to keep the workforce safe. As such, a faint anomaly, that may not be of sufficient clarity, strength or linear continuity to be detailed within the results of a mapping type survey, may well be flagged as an area to avoid by a clearance scan. If such anomalies were to be recorded on a mapping type survey, the survey would likely be full of questionable finds, that would detract from the overall reliability of the survey.
If the survey is to be used for planning, design or ahead of general construction work, a mapping survey would likely be most suitable.

If the requirement is to reduce the risk of a service strike ahead of localised trial pitting, bore-hole drilling or similar work, a clearance scan would likely be the best choice. 

If time and budget allow; a mapping survey should be completed first, followed by a clearance scan of localised areas of interest, especially if blind excavations such as bore-hole or well drilling are planned.


A utility survey is an essential part of safe digging practices as outlined in the HSE publication HSG47. It is up to those in charge of any breaking of ground to ensure that all aspects of these safe digging practices are observed and implemented on every occasion an excavation takes place.

The role of the utility surveyor is, in using technology, equipment and experience, to bring to light as much information relating to buried utilities as they can (within the scope of the survey). The survey results should never be viewed as being 100% complete or accurate. If there is a requirement for absolute assurance, the results of our survey should be 'ground-truthed' by means of exploratory excavation of key areas, prior to finalising designs or commencing works.  

Although RK Geomatics will make every effort to achieve as reliable results as possible; results are based on a subjective interpretation of data gained from the use of non-intrusive, remote sensing technologies. The specifics of these data are not necessarily a constant, and detectability can vary with changes in signal or environmental conditions. It should be understood that RK Geomatics and employees of RK Geomatics shall not be held responsible for the consequence of activities of other parties using the results of our surveys.





  
Ideally, both topographic and utilities surveys would be commissioned ahead of other works starting on site.

Having surveys completed early on in a project enables designers, architects and those carrying out site work, to incorporate existing utilities and infrastructure into proposed plans, and address previously unforeseen problems, such as conflicting utility positions or problems with levels.

The completeness of both utility and topographic survey will likely be increased if carried out ahead of demolition work, excavation or other disturbance on site.

That said, a survey, or supplementary survey work can be carried out at any time, if considered advantageous.
The duration of a survey could be anywhere between a few hours, e.g. for locating a single utility line or providing a set of levels on a drainage system; through to many days or weeks of work, for surveying expansive, complicated areas.

Red Kite Geomatics use state-of-the-art Trimble geospatial instruments, facilitating accurate and efficient detail capture and increased productivity over most other equipment manufacturers.

I always provide clients with a realistic schedule for surveys, and never make promises which I do not expect to be able to keep.
In my specialist field I am one of the more experienced surveyors in the UK. Formerly, my workload was focused on high-end projects - surveying power stations, airfields, strategic pipelines, high security MOD infrastructure etc. along with more run-of-the-mill surveys. 

With RK Geomatics I am keen to take on smaller surveys on more conventional projects. I take the same care and pride with a topographic survey of a small residential development, or locating a pipe or cable crossing a farmer's field, that I would if surveying a nuclear silo of national importance. If the survey is important to you, it is important to me!

I am a professionally qualified member of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors, a fellow of the British Cartographic Society, and a member of the Defence Surveyor's Association.

I have been hands-on surveying for my entire career - rather than becoming disconnected in a purely managerial or organisational role!

I use state-of-the-art equipment. I am conscientious, diligent and reliable, and unlikely to charge any more than some surveyors with a tenth of my experience!
Ideally, the information I would like is:

An outline of the area you would like surveyed. This can be highlighted on an existing survey drawing, Ordnance Survey plan, or simply drawn on an aerial photo such as a Google Earth image. 

The survey extents, where possible, should be well defined and ideally drawn to natural boundaries - walls, fences, verges, property boundaries etc. 

It is good to know the purpose of the survey, rather than just being asked to 'survey the area'. Knowing the reason for a survey can help me tailor the survey to your requirement, and recommend a suitable specification regarding the accuracy and level of detail to be surveyed.

If you are in possession of statutory undertakers' records or previous surveys of the area, please send them over, as they will give me a better idea of the likely work involved, and in doing so enable provision of a more informed quotation.

Don't worry if you don't have any of this, just drop me an email or give me a call. I'm here to help!


I am blessed to be based in beautiful Ceredigion, a few miles north of Lampeter and between the rolling Cambrian Mountains and the stunning West-Wales coast.

My geographic area of operation really depends on the size and type of survey required.

For typical one day topographical surveys and utilities mapping surveys, my usual area of operation is Mid & West Wales - Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Gwynedd, Dyfed, Snowdonia and along the M4 corridor through Swansea, Port Talbot, Bridgend and Cardiff.

With larger, multi-day surveys, I am happy to travel further afield and throughout the UK.