Utility locating work and crews

Locators find and mark buried lines before anyone digs. The public 811 system covers utility-owned lines up to the meter or a set point, while private locators handle everything beyond that: service lines, site lighting, irrigation, private water and sewer. GPR and electromagnetic locating are the main tools.

Also searched as: utility locator, private locator, locate technician, damage prevention tech, GPR technician.

Who hires for this

Excavation contractors, fiber primes, drill crews, engineers and property owners post private locate work. Locating companies that contract to utilities also hire techs.

What they ask for

• Electromagnetic locator and transmitter
• Ground penetrating radar for non-metallic lines, where the job calls for it
• Marking paint and flags in the standard color code
• Photos and a written sketch or report of what was marked
• Certificate of insurance, including professional liability if you carry it
• Knowledge of the state one-call rules

How to land more of it

• Be clear about what you can and cannot find. Nobody trusts a locator who promises everything.
• Offer a written report with photos. Excavators want proof of what was marked when something goes wrong.
• Fast response wins private locate work. Say how quickly you can usually get out.
• Pair up with vac excavation crews. Locating and potholing go together on a lot of jobs.

What is the difference between 811 and a private locate?

Calling 811 gets utility owners to mark their own lines, usually up to the meter or property line. Lines owned by the property, like a feed to a detached garage or a private water service, are not covered. A private locator marks those.

Do I need a license to be a private locator?

Rules vary by state. Some states have no specific license for private locating, while others regulate it through the one-call law or other programs. Check your state and carry insurance either way.

What equipment should a private locator own?

At minimum an electromagnetic locator with a transmitter and a good set of clamps and probes. Ground penetrating radar lets you find plastic lines and other non-metallic targets, which many jobs need. Add a camera or sonde for sewer lines if you want that work.

How do contractors find a private locator?

Excavators and primes can post a locate job free on the TrackOver board, and locators can list a profile with their equipment and coverage area. It beats calling around the morning of a dig.