Does 811 locate private utilities?

No. 811 typically marks public utilities only. Private utilities such as private water lines, sewer laterals, septic systems, irrigation, propane, and private electrical lines are usually not included.

What is private utility locating?

Private utility locating identifies underground utilities located beyond the public connection point, including private water, sewer, septic, electrical, and other privately owned lines.

Can you locate PVC or non-metallic utilities?

Yes. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is commonly used to locate non-metallic utilities such as PVC and clay pipes, especially when tracer wire is not present.

Can you locate septic tanks and drain fields?

Yes. Septic system locating, including septic tanks and drain fields, is a common service for property planning, repairs, and replacements.

How accurate is utility locating?

Utility locating provides approximate utility locations. Depth, soil conditions, and utility material can affect results. Verification by potholing is recommended before excavation.

Do you provide utility locating near me?

Yes. Twin City Locating provides mobile private utility locating and GPR services throughout Southwest Washington, including multiple counties and surrounding rural areas.

Why is utility locating not free like 811?

811 marks public utilities only and provides approximate locations. Professional utility locating focuses on private utilities and provides more detailed, site-specific results.

Utility Locating Cost in Southwest Washington

Utility Locating Cost – What to Expect

Utility locating costs vary depending on the type of service needed, site conditions, and the size of the area being located. Unlike free 811 markings, professional utility locating provides detailed, site-specific information for underground utilities that are not publicly owned or are not clearly documented.

This page explains what affects utility locating costs in Southwest Washington and what homeowners and contractors can expect when scheduling service.

How Much Does Utility Locating Cost?

In Southwest Washington, most residential utility locating projects typically range from $125 to $500. Larger properties, complex sites, or projects requiring advanced locating methods may cost more. Travel is the single largest indicator for pricing, as it is $45 per 15 minutes from Centralia City Hall.

There is no flat price that applies to every property. Costs are based on the time, distance from Centralia, Washington, equipment used, and methods required to accurately identify underground utilities for your specific situation.

What Affects the Cost of Utility Locating?

Several factors can influence the overall cost of utility locating services:

• Size of the area being scanned
• Number of utilities present
• Depth of utilities
• Soil conditions (clay, moisture, fill, or aggregate)
• Type of utilities (metal vs non-metal)
• Locating method required (EM, GPR, sewer sonde, magnetic)
• Access limitations or obstacles

How Much Does Utility Locating Cost?

This page explains what affects utility locating costs in Southwest Washington and what homeowners and contractors can expect when scheduling service.

Sites with older infrastructure, undocumented utilities, or wet soil conditions often require additional time or advanced locating methods such as ground penetrating radar (GPR).

Why Utility Locating Is Not Free Like 811

Calling 811 provides approximate markings for public utilities only. It does not locate privately owned utilities, and markings are not guaranteed to be precise, with a legal tolerance zone of 24" on both sides.

Professional utility locating focuses on identifying underground utilities on private property and providing more detailed, site-specific information. This additional work, equipment, and expertise is why private locating services have a cost associated with them.

How the Type of Service Impacts Cost

Different locating methods are used depending on the type of utility and site conditions:

Electromagnetic (EM) Locating

Used for conductive utilities such as metal pipes, tracer-wire equipped lines, and energized cables.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Used for non-metal utilities and unknown subsurface features where EM locating is not effective.

Sewer Scope & Sonde Locating

Used to trace sewer laterals and underground piping using camera and transmitter equipment.

Magnetic Locating

Used to locate buried ferrous objects such as property pins, valves, or manholes.

Some projects require multiple locating methods to achieve the best results, which can affect overall pricing.

Is Utility Locating Worth the Cost?

For most projects, the cost of utility locating is small compared to the expense of repairing damaged utilities, project delays, or safety hazards caused by unexpected utility strikes. Also useful knowledge to have when needing to tie into or cross a utility trench.

Accurate locating helps protect property, workers, and infrastructure while reducing the risk of costly mistakes.

Service Area

Utility locating services are provided throughout Southwest Washington and surrounding communities, including:

Lewis County - Centralia, Chehalis, Winlock, Morton

Thurston County - Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater

Grays Harbor County - Aberdeen, Ocean Shores, Elma

Cowlitz County - Longview, Kelso, Caste Rock

Getting a Site-Specific Estimate

Because every property and project is different, the best way to determine an more accurate cost is to discuss your specific situation. Booking is available online, or you can contact Trent with Twin City Locating at (360)720-3333 with questions about which locating method is appropriate for your needs.

Pricing FAQ

Q: How much does utility locating cost?

Most residential projects in Southwest Washington typically range from $125 to $400, depending on site conditions and the locating methods required.

Q: Why does utility locating cost more than calling 811?

811 only marks public utilities and provides approximate locations with wide legal tolerance. Professional locating focuses on private utilities and provides more detailed, site-specific information.

Q: Do soil conditions affect the cost?

Only for GPR, as it takes time to attenuate the signal mode that is used to send and receive signals into and from the surface. Wet soil, clay content, or areas with fill material can require additional time for GPR paths to eliminate false positives and verify results. Heavy developed areas can increase time needed for all forms of locating, due to the signal bleeding onto nearby conductive utilities.

Q: Will I know the cost before service begins?

Yes. The scope of work is discussed before service so expectations are clear. Pricing is by the hour, and most homeowners require under the 1 hour for EM and less than 2 hours for GPR.

Additional FAQ can be found here.

If you’re unsure which locating service you need or want to discuss your project, booking is available online or you can contact Twin City Locating directly.