Do you know the dangers of underground cables?
At present, according to the Institution of Civil Engineers, there are 1.5 million kilometres of underground cables and pipes owned by utility companies and local authorities buried underground in the UK.
The pressure being placed on the Government to increase affordable housing and improve the state of our roads and infrastructure has dramatically increased the number of people currently digging up our roads and pathways.
Each time someone breaks the ground without knowing what is beneath they run the risk of an underground cable strike, that could result in serious injury or even death.
Anyone travelling on UK roads cannot fail to notice the increase in digging work being carried out, from simple road repairs to major construction projects. There is always someone breaking the ground and they are all at risk of striking underground cables.
At Cornerstone Projects, we have seen a huge increase in the number of utility searches being requested, the vast majority from independent contractors working for utilities or telecoms companies, but many more from smaller firms and individuals.
They need for a fast and comprehensive utility search that details the location of underground cables and pipes has never been greater.
Our underground pipe and cable mapping services
Cornerstone Projects provide a cost effective service for anyone needing to locate buried underground utilities such as electricity cables, gas pipes, water mains, sewers etc. This may be necessary at the acquisition, feasibility, design or construction phase of a project…
They collate information from all the relevant utility companies on your behalf and compile a pack of information and plans for each site.
With our underground utility maps service you will enjoy:
- Free 24/7 Instant Quotes
- 24/7 Online Ordering
- UK’s Most Comprehensive Online Utilities Search
- Fast Response Times
- Professional PDF Search Reports
- 30-day Payments on Account
- Free Telephone Support
- Prices from £58+VAT
Pricing
Our fee for this starts at £58.00 + VAT + disbursements per utility – we will confirm the cost with you by email before proceeding.
The disbursements per search are typically £30 – £250 in total depending on the site location and your search requirements – the actual costs will be confirmed to you by email as soon as we process the enquiry.
Searches over a large area (typically more than 200m x 200m) are not covered by our basic charge – we will confirm costs for these with you prior to proceeding with any searches.
We may be able to offer an express expedited service – this will usually result in plans being issued to you in less than 1 working day. We charge an additional £7.50 + VAT for this service; there is also usually an increase in the charges levied by the relevant utility companies which you will be advised of in our enquiry confirmation email.
Please note that we are not always able to offer this service depending on which area the enquiry is in – if we are unable to we will again confirm this in the enquiry confirmation email. If this option is required please submit enquiries before 3.30pm.
FOR A FREE QUOTATION REGISTER HERE
How it works
We offer a full online solution that will take you less than 5 minutes to request a utility search.
Simply register/login and provide the following information to place an order or receive a FREE quotation.
Provide your site location details
The website will allow you to double check you have the right location using Streetmap.
You have the option to attach a plan showing the marked area you wish to search.
Choose underground utility maps options you wish
Our basic search includes issuing plans as hard copies and .pdf files and this search covers gas, electric, water, sewer, BT and oil/gas pipelines.
There are further options for a more comprehensive search including searches for IU’s (Independent Utilities) and cable/fibre companies
We also offer a FREE search to determine whether your site may be affected by historical mine workings. If it is, you will have the opportunity to purchase a Consultant’s report produced by the Coal Authority. Find out more about the FREE search here.
You can though opt for a tailor-made search.
We also offer additional services such as utility connections quotes, disconnections/diversions quotes, capacity checks and Section 50 applications that you may wish to add to your order.
There are various help and information pages on the website form as well as cost details to choose which services are appropriate.
Choose your payment options
Payments options are credit and debit card as well as 30 day “on account” payments.
By completing and submitting the above, you will be provided with an estimated price on screen and the confirmed price will be emailed to you within 30 minutes.
If you have requested a quote only, we will wait for your approval before proceeding. On approval, we commence your search the very same working day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Locating Underground Cables
What are underground cables?
Underground cables are electrical transmission lines that are buried underground rather than installed above ground on poles or towers. They are used to transmit electricity from power plants to substations, and from substations to distribution points or directly to consumers.
How are underground cables located?
Our utility locating service utilises advanced technology and trained professionals to accurately locate and mark the positions of buried utilities. Techniques such as ground penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetic induction, and acoustic detection are employed to detect underground infrastructure without the need for excavation.
Why is it important to locate underground cables?
Locating underground cables is crucial for safety, preventing accidents, and avoiding service disruptions. It protects infrastructure, minimises costs, and ensures compliance with regulations. Accurate locating enhances public safety and confidence, reducing risks and environmental impacts.