What to Expect from a Company Offering GPR Scanning Services
There can be something a little unsettling about hiring a service without knowing exactly what you are going to get out of it. Most people like to know what to expect—and understandably so! You don’t want to part with your hard-earned money unless you know that you will get what you want or need in return.
The first time you hire a company for GPR scanning services, you may not know exactly what to expect. Maybe you’re a new contractor or structural engineer who has never worked with a company that provides ground penetrating radar (GPR) services before. Or perhaps you’re the owner of piece of property and were told you need to hire a GPR scanning company before you start a project on your property that involves excavation or disturbing concrete, but you’re not exactly sure what they do.
In the best-case scenario, you will work with a company that provides GPR scanning services that will explain the entire process up front. After they find out what information you are trying to gather, they should be able to tell you approximately how long the process will take, what equipment they will be using (if any other equipment is needed in addition to GPR), and how much the project will cost. They may also let you know about any variables that could cause any this information to change, such as adverse soil conditions or physical obstructions. Finally, they will talk about what type of deliverable of the technicians finding you will receive. They may even give you options to choose from. Deliverables can include spray painted markings on the ground or concrete, pin flags in the ground, a KMZ file, or a CAD overlay. If you are in need of a stamped plan from licensed professional land surveyor (PLS), make sure you let the GPR scanning company know in advance to see if this is something they are able to provide.
On the day of your scheduled service, a GPR technician will come to your property and begin the scanning process. The time it takes will depend on the size of the area being scanned. If the technician comes across any obstacles that will require them to bring in additional equipment or take more time than they originally anticipated, causing the to increase increase the original estimate, they should communicate that to you before moving forward.
The scanning of a small area could be completed in as little as an hour or two, while a larger area would obviously take longer. The technician will receive the data as he or she is scanning the area, and the results will be interpreted by the technician on site and delivered to you in whatever format was agreed upon. If all goes well, you should receive all of the information you need to proceed safely with your project, knowing where any unseen hazards are located.
