Why Commercial Construction Projects Need Private Utility Locating Before Excavation
Updated: Oct 7
Before excavation begins on a commercial property, knowing where underground utilities are located is critical. Public utility markings are an important part of the process, but they may not identify every underground utility on a jobsite. That is where private utility locating comes in. A private utility locate can help commercial contractors identify privately owned underground utilities and other subsurface features that may not be included with a standard 811 locate. Depending on the site and the project, locating may involve electromagnetic locating, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), or a combination of methods.
What Is Private Utility Locating?
811 locates are designed to identify utilities that fall within the participating utility companies' responsibility. Commercial properties, however, can have extensive private utility infrastructure beyond the public utility demarcation point.
Private utilities may include:
Electrical lines
Water lines
Gas lines
Communication and data lines
Irrigation systems
Private sewer lines
Site lighting
Lines serving outbuildings or other structures
Other privately owned underground infrastructure
A private utility locate is performed to identify these privately owned utilities before excavation, drilling, boring, trenching, or other ground-disturbing work begins.
Why Commercial Jobs Can Be More Complicated
Commercial properties often have more underground infrastructure than a typical residential property. A single site may contain multiple buildings, parking areas, lighting systems, irrigation, communication infrastructure, electrical services, water and sewer lines, and utilities installed during different phases of development. Older site plans may not accurately reflect current conditions, and utilities may have been added, abandoned, rerouted, or relocated over the years. That makes relying on plans alone risky when excavation is about to begin.
How GPR Can Help
Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is another tool Apex Utility Locating can use when site conditions and project requirements call for it. GPR sends radar energy into the ground and can help identify subsurface anomalies that may not be detectable through electromagnetic locating alone.
GPR can be particularly useful when:
Utility records are incomplete
The material or type of utility is uncertain
Utilities may not contain a conductive tracer wire
Multiple utilities are present in a congested area
Concrete or other hard surfaces make conventional investigation more difficult
A project requires additional information about what is beneath the surface. GPR does not replace every other locating method. The appropriate locating approach depends on the site, soil conditions, surface materials, utility construction, depth, and project requirements. For commercial projects, using the right combination of locating technology can provide a more complete picture of what is beneath the work area.
When Should a Commercial Contractor Schedule a Private Locate?
Private utility locating should be considered before ground disturbance begins—not after excavation is already underway.
It can be useful during:
Site development
Before new construction, grading, paving, or other site work begins.
Excavation and trenching
Before digging for foundations, utilities, drainage, footers, or other underground construction.
Directional drilling
Before boring across a property or along a planned bore path.
Parking lot and paving projects
Before milling, excavation, new lighting, drainage work, or other subsurface work.
Electrical and plumbing projects
When existing underground services need to be identified before installation or modification. Commercial landscaping and irrigation
Before installing trees, drainage, irrigation, fencing, or other features requiring excavation. Expansion and renovation projects
When existing underground infrastructure may not be fully documented.
Private Locating and 811 Work Together
Private utility locating isn't necessarily a replacement for calling 811. In many commercial projects, both are important. 811 can identify utilities within the public utility locating system, while a private locator can investigate privately owned utilities that may fall outside that system. Contractors should follow applicable 811 requirements and project-specific safety procedures before beginning excavation.
What Apex Utility Locating Does
Apex Utility Locating provides private utility locating services for contractors, commercial properties, and projects throughout Indiana. Our locating capabilities include electromagnetic utility locating and GPR, allowing us to select the appropriate technology for the conditions and requirements of the project. We work with contractors and other professionals who need underground utility information before they dig, drill, excavate, or begin site work.
The goal is straightforward: help you know what's beneath the surface before your equipment gets there.
Planning a Commercial Project? If you're preparing for excavation, directional drilling, site development, or other ground-disturbing work, contact Apex Utility Locating before the project begins. We'll discuss the site, the scope of work, and the areas that need to be investigated so we can determine the appropriate locating approach.
Apex Utility Locating. Beneath the surface. Above the rest.
Serving commercial contractors and projects throughout Indiana and surrounding states.
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