Underground Utility Locators
Prompt Competitive Service Backed By Experience

Cables  ·  PVC & Steel Pipes  ·  Ducts
Power  ·  Phone  ·  Data  ·  Gas  ·  Water

Underground Utility Location Specialists

Contact
pathfinder@inspire.net.nz  ·  Brendan 021 08959158

Frequently Ask Questions Terms & Conditions Tools & Resources

Pathfinder is based in Feilding and mostly operates within the Lower-Central North Island region.

Our primary service area includes the cities of Wanganui, Palmerston North and Levin. Pathfinder operates in urban, rural and remote environments. All work location enquiries beyond our primary service area are welcomed.

Pathfinder Underground Limited is a privately owned and operated New Zealand company established in 2017.

We are not specific/limited to any one utility network. We locate across all networks.


Private non-commercial Rates


  • Underground Locating $145.00/hour
         (One rate to locate all utilities)

  • Drawn Plan optional $75.00/hour

  • Travel ($/km) $1.25/km

    Charged beyond the Primary Service Area
  • Travel (staff x1) $45.00/hour
  • Travel (staff x2) $65.00/hour

  • Minimum 1 hour locate charge.
  • Travel charged at 15 minute intervals.
  • All figures exclude GST.

    Other rates may apply for contracted, corporate, commercial and long term work.

  • IMPORTANT


  • We recommend getting plans from BeforeUDig only by selecting NO at this prompt. You can always go back and request a locate.


  • You maybe charged by each utility provider to perform their own network locate. There's no crossover locating between providers.

  • Some plans show cable connection to indicate the provider is connected. This may not be the actual cable route.

  • If unsure call us our advice is free.
  •   Frequently Ask Questions  
     

    Electronic detection of underground utilities is a very safe and accurate method of underground utility location. The diverse environment of the underground utilities sector often means difficulties in consolidating utility asset information. There are many unknowns and risks when planning and undertaking both design and construction work. Data collected from underground locating equipment provides a high level of utility service guidance for construction workers, utility operators, professionals and home owners planning to excavate.

    Pathfinder uses several techniques to minimise your risk of striking underground utilities.

    Ground Penetrating Radar: Our Ground Penetrating Radars have a 250MHz and a 700MHz central frequency antenna combined providing clear sub surface radargrams over a large depth range. Assuring high accuracy in difficult and congested sub surface environments.

    RadioDetection: Our Radiodetection units range from the Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT4) upto the high end Cable & Pipe locator with GPS and Omni Ball locator built in. This technique of locating underground utilities can allow tracing of an indivdual cable across vast networks of underground utilities.

    Duct/Pipe Probe: We have a range of probes that can be inserted into ducts & pipes then traced. Our larger duct probe also has a camera mounted in the head for recording video.

    Metal Detector: This tool is very effective at finding buried access lids or chambers. It has the ability to operate submerged in water. Configurable to detect or dismiss various ferrous elements.

    Microphone Technology: The Sewerin Aquatest T10 offers a high-quality sensitive listening probe. The probe can be used to detect running water. If a pipe is set into vibration it can be detected systematically testing the surface in short steps.

    Omni Marker Balls
    The passive Omni Marker contains a self-leveling coil. Allowing for a precise position regardless of how it's placed in the ground, optimizing accuracy of location. Lightweight and posing no risk of pollution, they're totally passive requiring no batteries and contain no fluid. Built with maximum durability in mind. They're designed to last as long as the infrastructure and can be reused if excavated.

    A marker for your infrastructures essential needs.
    The need to increase safety during works and preserve buried assets.
    Avoid costly maintenance errors.
    Omni Marker Balls can be retro fitted above existing infrastructure.

    A marker for each type of utility.
    Drinking water, gas, telecomunications, sanitation, electricity, lighting, etc.

    Locate notable points on the infrastructure.
    Whether its gas, electricity, telecommunciations, sanitation or water, the infrastructure usually has some key points, which can also represent weaknesses:

    • Lateral connections
    • junction boxes, access chambers
    • Repairs or splices
    • Other utility crossings
    • Change of direction and level

    These notable points are generally difficult to spot from the surface. The installation of passive Omni Markers allows identification quickly.
    Case
    Identification
    Range
    Design Service Life
    Marker Diameter
    Weight
    External Materials
    Detection Field
    Frequency Tolerance
    High density polyethylene
    By color and type of utility
    1.5 meters deep for all utility types
    More than 50 years
    100mm mimimum
    154 grams
    Waterproof, resistant to acids,alkalis and solvents
    Dipole magnetic field
    ±0.35%

    Frequently Ask Questions Terms & Conditions Tools & Resources