Cable Detection Survey

Cable detection is essential for safe excavation around buried electrical cables, helping to prevent damage, injury and costly project delays. Subvision Surveys has a team of over 25 surveying professionals delivering accurate, reliable cable detection to a wide range of clients and sectors.

Why Cable Detection Surveys Matter

Undetected cables pose a serious risk during excavation, drilling or piling work, both in terms of safety and cost. A cable strike can cause injury, service disruption and significant repair costs, as well as bringing a project to a halt while the damage is addressed. A cable detection survey identifies the position and depth of buried cables before work begins, allowing excavation to be planned safely around them, improving compliance, reducing risk and keeping projects moving on schedule.

How We Detect Buried Cables

Our surveyors use CAT (Cable Avoidance Tool) and Genny (signal generator) equipment to trace electromagnetic signals from live cables below ground, allowing us to accurately locate and mark them out on site. This is often the fastest and most cost-effective first step before work begins, giving a clear indication of what’s present without the need for more extensive investigation.

When a Full CAT Survey Is the Better Option

Where a site carries a history of unrecorded works, dense infrastructure, or a mix of metallic and non-metallic services, a standalone cable detection check may not tell the full story. In these cases, we recommend stepping up to a full CAT survey, combining CAT and GPR detection to build a more complete, PAS128-aligned picture of everything buried across the site, not just live cables. Our team can advise which approach suits your project, rather than defaulting to one method regardless of site complexity.

Why Choose Subvision for Cable Detection?

Subvision Surveys is SSIP and ISO accredited, with a team of over 25 surveying professionals delivering cable detection and CAT surveys for contractors, developers and private individuals across London, the South East and nationwide. Our goal is to give every client clear guidance throughout the survey process, from initial enquiry through to final results, so excavation and construction work can proceed safely and with confidence.

Contact Subvision Surveys today to discuss your cable detection requirements, or speak to one of our experts on 0333 920 942.

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CABLE DETECTION FAQ’S

At Subvision Surveys, we provide professional cable detection services throughout the UK, helping clients identify underground cables before excavation, construction or groundwork begins. Our experienced surveyors use advanced detection equipment and proven surveying techniques to locate hidden services accurately. We work with both domestic and commercial clients, providing reliable information that helps reduce risks, prevent damage and allow projects to move forward safely.

Cable detection involves locating and tracing underground cables that are hidden beneath the surface. Before any digging or construction work takes place, it is important to understand what services may be present to avoid accidental damage. Our cable detection surveys help identify buried electrical cables, telecommunications services and other underground utilities, giving our clients a clearer understanding of site conditions.

We provide cable detection surveys for a wide range of clients, including homeowners, builders, developers, engineers, contractors and construction companies across the UK. Whether you are planning a small extension or managing a larger commercial project, our team can provide accurate information about underground services. We tailor our surveys to suit your requirements and ensure you have the information needed before starting work.

Our specialist surveyors use modern cable locating equipment combined with their industry experience to accurately identify underground services. We carefully scan the survey area, trace cable routes and analyse the results to provide a clear understanding of what is below the surface. Where required, we can combine cable detection with other surveying methods to provide a more complete assessment of the site.

Our cable detection services can help locate a range of underground services, including electrical cables, telecommunications cables, BT cables and other buried utilities. The exact information we can provide will depend on the site conditions and the services present, but our experienced team uses specialist equipment to achieve the most accurate results possible before excavation or construction begins.

Excavating without knowing the location of underground cables can create serious safety risks, costly repairs and delays to your project. Our cable detection surveys provide valuable information before work starts, helping contractors and project managers plan their works more effectively. By identifying potential hazards early, we help create safer working conditions and reduce the likelihood of unexpected problems on site.

Yes, our cable detection services can be combined with other specialist surveys including Ground Penetrating Radar surveys, PAS128 Utility Mapping Surveys and underground utility investigations. By using a combination of techniques, we can provide a more detailed understanding of underground conditions and help our clients make informed decisions before construction and excavation works begin.

Have Any Questions?

If you have any questions regarding our services feel free to contact the Subvision team.