Why is underground service locating important before digging?

Underground service locating gives you clearer information before excavation, helping you avoid costly strikes, delays and safety issues. Locator Guys identifies and marks detectable services such as power, water, gas, fibre, telecommunications, drainage and private services so your team can plan and dig with confidence.

What technologies do you use to locate underground services?

We use advanced methods such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) to accurately detect a wide range of underground utilities, including non-metallic pipes. The right method depends on the service type, material, depth, access, ground conditions and whether a signal can be applied or detected.

How accurate and reliable is underground service locating?

While factors like soil conditions and pipe materials can influence detection, our industry leading technology combined with expert analysis consistently delivers precise, high confidence results you can trust. We are fully transparent about our findings and any limitations, empowering you to plan your project with complete clarity and confidence.

Are all underground utilities shown on utility maps?

No, maps can be outdated or incomplete. Professional on-site locating is essential to verify and accurately mark all underground services before excavation.

What should I do if I accidentally hit an underground utility?

Stop digging immediately and contact the relevant utility provider. Prompt reporting helps manage hazards and ensures safety compliance.

Unique, Sensitive & Hard-to-Access Projects

Ports, rail, historic & confined

Some sites do not fit neatly into one category. Locator Guys is often asked to help on unusual, sensitive or hard-to-access sites where a practical locating approach is needed.

Previous project environments have included ports, rail corridors, historic sites, confined urban areas, mixed-service sites and locations where access, safety or confidentiality requirements are more complex. Our team has worked on rail corridor and rail-adjacent projects where KiwiRail site access requirements apply, including Rail HSE inductions and Category 3 rail medicals where required.

Each site is assessed on its own conditions, risks and requirements so the most suitable locating method can be used.

Have a site that is difficult to explain or outside the usual categories? Contact Locator Guys and we can talk through whether we can help.

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Project FAQs

Yes. Locator Guys works on private residential properties, lifestyle blocks, farms, commercial sites, industrial sites, civil projects and specialist facilities throughout Canterbury and the South Island.
In many cases, yes. Private services are often missing from public plans, especially on older properties, rural sites, commercial yards and sites that have changed over time. We use the most suitable locating method for the site and explain what can and cannot be confirmed.
Yes. BeforeUDig plans are an important starting point, especially for public utility information. On-site locating helps confirm, trace and mark services where possible, including private or unknown services that may not be fully shown on plans.
Yes. We regularly locate and mark underground services before excavation, trenching, drilling, coring, concrete cutting, driveway work, fencing, landscaping, repairs and construction.
Yes. Locate summary reports and mapped information can be provided on request. These are useful for contractors, councils, engineers, facility managers, property owners and anyone who needs a record of located services.
Some services are harder to locate depending on material, depth, ground conditions, access, signal availability and site complexity. If something cannot be confidently located, we will explain the limitation clearly so you can make an informed decision before work continues.

When should you contact Locator Guys?

Before digging, trenching, fencing or driveway work

When a water leak is suspected

Before cutting, drilling or coring concrete

When underground services are missing from plans

Before civil, subdivision or commercial site works

mapping for Future maintenance or planning