When you’re starting a construction or development project, there’s always one big question you can’t ignore: what’s hiding underground?
If you don’t know the answer, you’re asking for trouble. Buried cables, water mains, or even forgotten foundations can stop a project in its tracks. Striking a live power line isn’t just expensive, it’s dangerous. Hitting an uncharted pipe can delay your work for weeks.
This is why more and more professionals rely on a GPR Survey. Instead of guessing what’s below the surface, Ground Penetrating Radar gives you clear, reliable data without digging a single hole. In this guide, we’ll break down what a GPR Survey actually is, how it works, why it matters, and what you should know before using it.
A GPR Survey (short for Ground Penetrating Radar Survey) is a way of scanning the ground with radar waves to see what’s hidden beneath. Think of it like an X-ray for soil, concrete, and road surfaces.
The survey equipment sends radar pulses into the ground. When those pulses hit something different — maybe a pipe, a cable, or even a void — they bounce back. Those reflections get turned into images that trained surveyors can read.
The big advantage? You get accurate data about what’s underground without tearing up the site.
So, whether it’s a road project, a new building, or a property sale, there’s a good chance a GPR Survey can save time and money.
Learn more about GPR Surveys at Intersect Surveys.
On the surface, the tech might look complicated, but the idea behind a GPR Survey is straightforward. Here’s how it happens step by step:
A GPR Survey can detect all kinds of underground features, including:
Unlike some older methods, it doesn’t just work on metal objects. That’s why GPR has become the go-to choice for projects where plastic or composite pipes are common.
Skipping a GPR Survey is a gamble most professionals can’t afford to take. The risks — financial, legal, and safety-related — are simply too high.
Hitting an uncharted utility doesn’t just stop work, it often brings in outside agencies, repair crews, and sometimes legal disputes. A GPR Survey helps you avoid these setbacks by giving you accurate underground data before the first dig.
There’s no easy way to say it: accidents with underground services can be deadly. A live cable strike can cause serious injury. A ruptured gas main can put an entire site at risk. A survey reduces these dangers by showing your crew exactly where hazards are.
Planning authorities and utility companies don’t just prefer surveys — in many cases, they demand them. A GPR Survey provides records that help you tick every compliance box and keep regulators satisfied.
Architects and engineers often work with incomplete information. Having a clear underground map means designs can be adjusted early on, saving expensive changes later.
The bottom line? A GPR Survey gives you certainty. And certainty is what keeps projects on time and within budget.
If you’ve used other underground detection methods before, you’ll notice straight away why GPR Surveys stand out.
That mix of speed, versatility, and reliability is why GPR has become a staple in modern construction and development projects.
The reach of GPR Surveys is wider than you might think. Here are some of the most common uses:
The versatility of GPR Surveys makes them valuable across a surprising number of industries.
No survey method is perfect, and GPR has its limits too. Knowing them helps you plan realistically.
Clay-heavy or waterlogged soils can reduce the depth radar signals can reach. In those cases, combining GPR with another method is often the smart move.
The deeper the radar goes, the less detail you get. High frequencies give great resolution but don’t penetrate as far, while low frequencies go deeper with less precision.
The tech does the scanning, but a human has to interpret the data. Without an experienced surveyor, you risk missing key information or misreading the results.
A GPR Survey often works best as part of a package. Pairing it with electromagnetic detection or utility record checks creates the most reliable underground picture.
Being upfront about these factors helps teams get the best from their surveys and avoid surprises later.
If you’re planning to commission a GPR Survey, a little preparation goes a long way.
Not every survey team has the same level of expertise. Choosing a provider with a proven track record, like Intersect Surveys, makes a big difference in accuracy and reliability.
Simple steps, like clearing access routes or removing surface clutter, help the survey run smoothly and reduce wasted time.
The more information you can give surveyors upfront — such as old site plans or known service records — the more accurate their interpretation will be.
In many cases, pairing a GPR Survey with other surveys, like topographic mapping, produces a complete picture of the site. This layered approach saves time and avoids missed details.
When handled properly, a GPR Survey isn’t just another box to tick. It’s a proactive step that protects your project from risks you don’t want to discover too late.
At Intersect Surveys, we carry out GPR Survey services that give you the information you need before you start digging, designing, or building. Our goal is simple: reduce your risk, save you time, and keep your project moving.
Contact Intersect Surveys GPR Surveys today to arrange your survey and start with confidence.