Everything you need to know about utility searches
A utility search, also known as a utility survey or underground utility detection, identifies the location, depth, and type of buried services beneath a site. This includes water mains, gas pipes, electricity cables, telecoms, drainage, and fibre optics. Results are delivered as utility packs, and where required, coordinated CAD drawings to support safer excavation and construction planning.
Standard desktop utility searches are typically completed within 5 to 10 working days. We also offer priority, 3 to 5 working day, and urgent, 24 to 48 hour, turnaround options. On site surveys, PAS 128 Level B, are scheduled based on site size and complexity, usually within 1 to 2 weeks of order.
Digsure provides nationwide coverage across England, Scotland, and Wales. Our established processes, and our network of qualified surveyors for on site work, means we can deliver searches for UK locations ranging from city centres to rural sites.
PAS 128 is the UK standard for underground utility detection, verification, and location. It defines quality levels from Level D, desktop records searches, through to Level A, precise verification. Digsure can support PAS 128 compliant surveys through our delivery partners, and we can provide desktop record searches to support early stage planning.
In most cases, yes. If you are planning excavation, groundworks, or construction, you should identify underground services before breaking ground. A utility search helps reduce the risk of utility strikes, programme delays, injury, and associated costs, and it supports safer planning and better decision making at design stage.
Costs depend on the site area, location, and services required. Desktop utility searches start from £40 for small sites, scaling by area. Use our online ordering tool to draw your boundary and receive an instant, transparent quote — the price shown is the price you pay, with no hidden fees.
Yes — some water companies charge a statutory data fee that we pass on at cost. Two areas are affected:
United Utilities area (Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire & Cumbria) — an additional £25 + VAT is added to cover their data request fee.
Scotland (Scottish Water) — a Scottish Water disbursement fee and a 20% regional surcharge apply to searches in Scotland.
These fees are applied automatically when you draw your site on the portal and shown clearly in the price breakdown before you pay — no surprises at checkout.
Our searches cover major underground utilities including electricity, HV and LV, gas, mains and services, water, mains, services, and hydrants, telecommunications, BT, Virgin Media, and fibre optics, plus drainage and sewerage. Where relevant, we can also include other asset types such as oil pipelines and district heating networks.
Yes. We offer urgent turnaround options, including 24 hour and 48 hour delivery for desktop utility searches. If you have a tight deadline, you can select an urgent option when ordering online, or contact us to confirm availability. Additional fees apply for expedited delivery, and any late arriving asset owner responses are forwarded as they arrive.
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