Here are a few reasons why you may need an underground survey:

Utility location: If you are planning to dig or excavate, you need to know the location of underground utilities such as gas, water, and electrical lines to avoid damaging them and causing safety hazards.

Construction: An underground survey can provide information about subsurface conditions, such as soil type and depth, that is important for construction projects, including foundations and underground structures.

Environmental assessment: An underground survey can identify potential environmental hazards such as underground storage tanks, contaminated soil, or groundwater.

Mining: Underground surveys are also used in mining to locate and map ore deposits and underground mines.

Land development: An underground survey can provide important information about the location of underground features that may affect land development plans, such as underground streams, drainage systems, and other natural features.

Asset management: Underground Surveys are also used to locate and map underground assets such as underground pipelines, cables, and conduits in order to manage and maintain them.

If you are planning a project that involves excavation, construction, land development, mining, or asset management, it’s worth considering an underground survey to ensure that you have accurate information about the subsurface conditions.

Residential buildings require land or underground surveying services for a variety of reasons such as ensuring the safety and accuracy of building and construction projects, identifying potential issues or hazards during renovations and additions, locating underground utilities, identifying potential environmental hazards, and managing and maintaining underground assets.

The time it takes to complete an underground survey can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size and complexity of the site, the type of survey being performed, and the equipment and techniques used.

A simple utility locate survey for a small site might take only a few hours, while a more complex subsurface investigation for a large construction project could take several weeks or even months to complete.

The surveyor will be able to provide you with a more accurate estimate of the time required for your specific project after an initial assessment. It’s also worth noting that an underground survey is not a one-time process and it may require multiple visits to the site to gather all the required data.

The cost of an underground survey can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the size and complexity of the site, the type of survey being performed, and the equipment and techniques used.

A simple utility locate survey for a small site might cost only a few hundred dollars, while a more complex subsurface investigation for a large construction project could cost several thousand dollars or more.

Underground surveyors use a variety of specialized equipment to gather data about subsurface conditions and locate underground features. Underground surveyors may use different combinations of equipment and techniques depending on the specific project requirements and the information needed. Some of the most common equipment used in underground surveying include:

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR): This equipment sends electromagnetic waves into the ground and measures the reflection to create images of subsurface features such as utilities, structures, and voids.

Subsurface imaging: This equipment is used to detect underground features such as utility lines, pipes, and tanks using electromagnetic induction or conductivity methods.

Underground mapping: Specialized mapping equipment such as cave radar, 3D laser scanners, or sonar can be used to create detailed maps of underground features such as mines, tunnels and caves.

Surveying instruments: Total stations, 3D scanners, and GNSS (global navigation satellite system) equipment like GPS are also used to collect data and make measurements on the surface.

Data processing software: Underground surveyors also use specialized software to process and analyze the data collected from the equipment, creating detailed maps and models of the subsurface conditions.

There are several different types of underground surveys that are used to gather data about subsurface conditions and locate underground features. Some of the most common types of underground surveys include:

Utility locate survey: This type of survey is used to locate and map underground utilities such as gas, water, and electrical lines. It’s typically done using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and subsurface imaging equipment.

Cable and pipeline locating: This type of survey is used to locate and map underground cables and pipelines. It typically done using subsurface imaging equipment, electromagnetic induction or conductivity methods.

Underground mapping: This type of survey is used to create detailed maps of underground features such as mines, tunnels and caves. It typically involves using specialized mapping equipment such as cave radar, 3D laser scanners, or sonar.

Geotechnical Survey: This type of survey is used to collect data on the subsurface conditions, such as soil type, depth, and groundwater, for engineering and construction projects.

The accuracy of an underground survey depends on a variety of factors, including the equipment and techniques used, the experience and skill of the surveyor, and the specific characteristics of the site being surveyed.

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a common method used in underground surveying and can provide a high level of accuracy, typically within a few centimeters. However, GPR is affected by the soil conditions, and its accuracy might decrease in certain types of soils or with certain types of underground features.

electromagnetic induction or conductivity methods, also can provide a high level of accuracy, but it is also affected by the soil conditions, metal content and other factors.

Drilling and taking soil samples is considered one of the most accurate methods for subsurface investigation, but it’s also the most invasive and time-consuming method.

Overall, the accuracy of underground surveys can vary, but professional and experienced surveyors use the most appropriate method and equipment to ensure the highest level of accuracy possible for the specific project. They also use quality control measures to check and verify the accuracy of their work.