Do you know the dangers of underground cables?
Over 1.5 million kilometres of underground cables and pipes are buried across the UK.
As demand for new housing and infrastructure grows, so does the number of groundworks—putting more people at risk of cable strikes, which can cause serious injury or death.
At Cornerstone Projects, we’ve seen a sharp rise in utility search requests from contractors, telecoms workers, small firms, and individuals alike.
To dig safely, it’s essential to know what’s below. We provide fast, reliable utility searches with same-day reports covering electric, telecom, gas, and water networks across the UK.
Avoid costly mistakes, stay compliant with health & safety regulations, and dig with confidence.
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…
We 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
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From £58.00 + VAT per utility, plus disbursements (typically £30–£250, depending on location and requirements).
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We’ll confirm all costs by email before starting.
Larger Areas
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Searches over 200m x 200m aren’t covered by the basic fee – we’ll quote these separately.
Express Service
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Need results fast? Add £7.50 + VAT for expedited service (plans usually sent within 1 working day).
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Additional utility charges may apply — we’ll confirm by email.
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Available for most areas; submit enquiries before 3:30 pm.
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.