Before you dig in Quebec: questions and answers
This page brings together, in one place, the answers we give most often before excavation, drilling or core drilling work. Each answer restates word for word the one on the relevant service page, linked below.
- PDF report within 24 hours
- Submit your Info-Excavation request for public utilities, and entrust us with the private utilities on your property.
The starting point
Info-Excavation locates public utilities free of charge up to your property line. Everything on the private side (service connections, site conduits, cables between buildings, tanks, old foundations) is not covered. That is exactly what we locate.
Frequently asked questions
Is Info-Excavation enough before digging? No. Info-Excavation covers public utilities up to the property line. Service connections and private utilities on your property must be located by a private service like ours.
Do I need to submit an Info-Excavation request first? Yes, for public utilities. We take care of the private part of your property.
Does Info-Excavation charge a fee? Info-Excavation locates public utilities free of charge up to your property line. Everything on the private side (service connections, site conduits, cables between buildings, tanks, old foundations) is not covered. That is exactly what we locate.
What is your response time? We reply within 24 to 48 business hours and schedule the job according to the urgency of your site. The PDF report follows within 24 hours after the survey.
How deep can ground penetrating radar see? Radio detection follows a metallic conduit several metres deep. Ground penetrating radar generally reaches one to three metres in Quebec soils, less in saturated clay. The report states the reliability of each depth.
Is the locate accurate enough to dig? The horizontal position of marked utilities is generally accurate to within a few centimetres. Depth is an estimate that depends on the soil; the report shows the areas of uncertainty and recommends hand digging or hydro excavation near the utilities.
How deep are buried cables? It varies with the installation. The report shows the estimated depth at each marker; we recommend digging by hand when approaching the marked line.
Does concrete scanning damage the slab? No. Ground penetrating radar is non-destructive; no drilling or core drilling is needed for the inspection.
Do you detect leaks? Our service locates the path and depth of the pipe. For a leak, precisely locating the path lets your plumber target testing and excavation in the right spot.
Is the quote free? Yes. The quote is free and with no obligation.
Where to read the details
| Topic | Reference page |
|---|---|
| Public and private utilities | Underground utility locating |
| Ground penetrating radar depth and range | Ground penetrating radar locating |
| Buried cables | Cable locating |
| Water lines and leaks | Water line locating |
| Drilling through a slab | Concrete scanning |
| How a visit works | How a locating job works |
| What determines the price | Underground utility locating cost |
Ready to have your property checked?
Send us the city, the type of work and the schedule, and we will get back to you within 24 to 48 business hours.
- PDF report within 24 hours
- Submit your Info-Excavation request for public utilities, and entrust us with the private utilities on your property.