Private Utility Locating Services

FAQs

• What’s the difference between 811 services and private utility locating?

  Calling 811 only identifies public utilities maintained by utility companies — like main gas, water, or electric lines leading to the property.
  Private utility locating services find everything the 811 system doesn’t cover: service lines, private water or sewer laterals, electrical feeds between buildings, irrigation, or fiber that run inside private property. SoftDig’s team uses advanced underground utility locating technology to give you a complete, safe picture before you dig.

• How deep can private utility locating services detect underground utilities?

  Depth detection depends on soil conditions, material type, and signal strength, but most private utility locating contractors can identify buried utilities up to 15–20 feet deep.
  SoftDig combines multiple locating methods — electromagnetic, GPR (ground penetrating radar), and induction tracing — to achieve accurate results in varying site conditions.

• How long are utility maps valid?

  Utility maps represent a snapshot in time. Because buried infrastructure often changes, they’re generally considered accurate for 30 to 60 days after marking.
  SoftDig recommends scheduling private utility detection before any new excavation, renovation, or underground work to ensure your data is up to date.

• What types of underground utilities are considered private?

  Private utilities include any lines or systems installed and maintained by the property owner — not the utility company.
  Examples include sewer laterals, sprinkler systems, private electric feeds, lighting cables, propane lines, and communication wiring between structures.
  SoftDig’s private utility locating services are designed to identify these non-public systems safely and accurately.

• How do you mark out underground utilities?

  After identifying the utility’s path, SoftDig marks locations using industry-standard color codes:

  • Red = Electric

  • Yellow = Gas/Oil

  • Orange = Communications

  • Blue = Water

  • Green = Sewer/Drainage

  • Purple = Reclaimed/irrigation

  Each marking is tied to precise GPS coordinates and project maps to support clear documentation.

• Can you be certain of the type of utility when locating electronically?

  Yes — with proper verification techniques. Our utility locating contractors use multiple frequencies, GPR scans, and verification potholing to confirm each line’s identity and depth.
  While electronic locating provides strong confidence levels, SoftDig verifies uncertain lines with vacuum excavation when absolute accuracy is required.

• How do you find untraceable / plastic pipes?

  Plastic or untraceable utilities don’t carry an electrical signal, so we rely on ground penetrating radar (GPR) and sonde transmitters placed inside accessible ends of the line.
  These methods allow SoftDig’s private utility locating specialists to pinpoint non-conductive materials like PVC or clay piping with minimal surface disruption.

• What do you do if you can’t find a utility with your electronic equipment?

  If an electronic signal isn’t detectable, SoftDig uses GPR and vacuum excavation to confirm or eliminate a potential utility’s presence.
  This layered approach ensures nothing is overlooked and gives you the most complete underground map available before excavation or drilling.

• How much do private utility locating services cost?

  Pricing depends on project scope, site complexity, and the number of utilities to locate.
  Most private utility locating services range from $300–$1,000 per site, but larger or high-density areas may vary.
  SoftDig provides detailed estimates and offers bundled rates when combining locating with GPR or vacuum excavation.

• When should I hire a private utility locating contractor?

  You should contact private utility locating contractors before any digging, boring, or trenching on your property — even if you’ve already called 811.
  Hiring a private locator ensures that all buried lines, private feeds, and service laterals are identified, keeping your team safe and compliant with local regulations.