The Importance of Utility Location Services and How to Choose the Right Locator​

1. The Importance of Utility Location Services and How to Choose the Right Locator

2. It is dangerous to plan for any project without knowing what is present underground at the project site. You would require accurate information regarding the underground utilities if your project includes digging the site. Digging without the correct information can lead to project delays, property damage, and injuries. Taking the assistance of utility location services can help you in avoiding dangers in your construction projects in the following ways. 

3. Safety  Power lines and utility pipes and cables carry dangerous materials that make underground digging a dangerous task. Utility location services help in increasing the safety standards at your project site by providing accurate locations of all the live utility lines. Digging after knowing this information makes it easier for the workers to safely excavate around the cables and pipes. Minimised Interruption  The utility lines placed beneath your project site would carry electricity, gas, water, sewage, and telecommunication lines to provide the basic services for the neighbouring residential and commercial areas. Even a small damage to any utility line can cause service interruptions such as power outages. Contractors are hence required to take precautions when digging. Hiring utility location services can help them in eliminating the risk of service interruption.  

4. Project Completion Utility location plays a vital role in project planning and designing. Therefore, it is also often included in geotechnical testing service in a construction project. Contractors and designers can perfectly plan the construction with access to all the necessary information regarding utility lines present on the site. Considering the location of utility lines allows you to initiate construction without having to make changes mid-construction. This makes the entire project faster and more convenient for the designers, workers, and managers.  

5. Some contractors commit the mistake of relying on utility plans that can be accessed online or offline before starting the construction project. Such utility plans are often outdated and fail to provide 100% accurate and updated data. There are constant tweaks in the existing utilities and the installation of new utility lines that are not recorded in the plans. Therefore, it is better to hire a utility locator.  Minimised Guesswork 

6. Adhering to Legal Requirements  Many local authorities demand that contractors follow strict building regulations that also include mapping and locating the utility lines present on the construction site. Not doing so can make you liable for legal punishments and fines. The fines related to breaking building laws can reach millions and could lead to a significant business loss. Utility locating experts like Aussie Hydro-Vac Services can help you in following all the rules and regulations properly. Their experienced crew is well-versed with such laws and provides cost-effective and accurate utility location services to improve your projects. 

7. Choosing the Right Utility Location Professionals  • Utility location can be performed using various equipment. Choosing an experienced utility location professional is necessary to get accurate results. Professionals such as Aussie Hydro-Vac Services would use the right tools and technologies to identify all utilities at your project site, ensuring there is no room for error in your project. Here are some key considerations you should make before choosing the appropriate utility location professional. 

8. Track Record  You can check online reviews and inquire about the services of a utility locator from previous clients to know about their experience. Always avoid professionals that have multiple cases where they have left a client dissatisfied. An excellent track record would mean that the utility locator is adept at handling all types of projects and would deliver the right results for your project as well. 

9. Technology  Utility locators are required to remain up-to-date with the constantly changing technologies and equipment. The various methods used for utility location include direct methods, electrical methods, ground penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetic methods, and more. All the methods become more efficient and faster with time thanks to advanced equipment. Choosing a utility locator that leverages the latest equipment would help you in locating the utilities speedily and accurately. 

10. Services Offered  An expert in utility location services is more likely to provide other industrial or technical services too. These services may include geotechnical testing service, hydro excavation, surveying services, etc. Professionals that provide a wide range of services that are related to construction and digging would have a better understanding of your project and would easily cater to your unique requirements. 

11. Communication  In many construction projects, you would be required to consult your utility locator multiple times, especially during the planning phase. A utility location company that isn’t active on-call and provides delayed responses can lead to a delay in the start of your construction project. Therefore, you should always choose professionals that are dedicated to each project they work on and are always available to guide you expertly.

12. Thank You Got Any Questions?Aussie Hydro-Vac Services  info@aussiehydrovac.com.au aussiehydrovac.com.au