Do I need a CAT scan before digging?

Any excavation, trenching, post-installation or drainage works can risk striking underground services. A CAT & Genny check is the industry-standard pre-dig check and is strongly recommended by HSE guidance HSG47 before breaking ground.

What is a CAT and Genny check?

CAT (Cable Avoidance Tool) and Genny (Signal Generator) scanning locates detectable underground services — power cables, telecoms, traced ducts and traced metallic pipework — so the dig area can be marked up before work starts.

Can you scan before fencing or landscaping work?

Yes. We regularly attend smaller projects including fence posts, gates, patios, garden rooms and landscaping schemes — anywhere excavation, post-installation or ground-breaking work is planned.

Do you cover urgent site work?

Where possible, yes. Call 07582 760007 with the site postcode and scope and we'll confirm the soonest attendance.

What areas do you cover?

We cover Kent, London, Surrey, Sussex, Essex, Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, the Midlands and the wider South East — with UK-wide call-outs by arrangement.

Pre-dig utility checks · England & UK

CAT Scanning Services Across England & the UK

Q: Can CAT scanning find every underground service?

No. CAT scanning and CAT & Genny checks help reduce the risk of cable strikes, but no scan can guarantee the detection of every underground service. Safe digging practices, site plans and HSG47 guidance should still be followed.

Professional CAT & Genny checks for groundworkers, civils crews and site managers — detectable services located and marked before breaking ground.

Trusted by groundworks, drainage, fencing, landscaping and small-works contractors across England and the wider UK. HSG47-aware. Fully insured. Clear marking, every visit.

Book a Site Check Call 07582 760007

Send an Email Now

Email the site address or postcode, the scope of works and when you need the check to kian@catscanningservices.co.uk and we’ll come straight back with a quote.

Email Site Details & Location

Fully insured checks

HSG47-aware operatives

Calibrated CAT4+ & Genny

Clear on-site marking

Fast site mobilisation

A cable strike stops the job

One scan can save days, fines and injuries.

Striking an unmarked cable or service line means stopped works, RIDDOR-reportable injuries, utility recharge invoices and programme slip. A professional CAT & Genny check gives the site team a clear picture of detectable underground services — before excavation begins.

What we do on site

Check work built around the dig.

CAT & Genny Scanning

Scanning to help locate detectable underground services before excavation, drilling, trenching or post installation.

Cable Avoidance Checks

Practical checks to help reduce the risk of cable strikes and utility damage on site.

Underground Utility Detection

Detection and marking of services where they can be identified using appropriate CAT & Genny methods.

Pre-Dig Site Checks

Suitable before small excavations, trial holes, fencing, drainage, landscaping and construction works.

Domestic & Small Works

Support for driveways, patios, garden rooms, fencing, drainage and landscaping projects.

Groundworks Support

Pre-excavation scanning for contractors needing a clear, practical check before breaking ground.

How a check runs

From call-out to a clearly marked site.

Step
1. Brief
Send site address, scope of works and access details. We confirm timing and turnaround.
Step
2. Check
On-site sweep using CAT4+ and Genny in power, radio and generator modes across the dig footprint.
Step
3. Mark up
Detectable services chalk/paint marked on site with a verbal walk-through to the site agent.
Step
4. Hand over
Photo record of marked services on request — a clear pre-dig position before excavation begins.

Who we work with

Built for professional site teams.

From principal contractors running phased civils to sole traders dropping a row of fence posts — we turn up, scan the footprint and leave a clearly marked dig area.

Trial holes
Fence posts
Driveways and patios
Garden rooms
Drainage works
Landscaping
Groundworks
Small construction projects
Utility avoidance before digging
Pre-start site checks

Straight talk

No scan finds everything.

CAT & Genny is the industry-standard pre-dig check — but plastic mains, deep services, signal interference and missing utility records all limit what any detector can pick up. We work in line with HSG47 principles: locate, mark, and treat every excavation as if live services remain. Safe digging practice applies on every excavation.

Why contractors call us back

A checker who thinks like a site operative.

Clear, plain-English findings on site

Fast call-outs around your programme

Chalk, paint and peg marking to suit site

HSG47-aware approach to safe digging

Calibrated, in-date CAT & Genny kit

Equally at home with civils and small works

Areas we cover

CAT scanning across England & the wider UK

We provide CAT scanning and CAT & Genny utility checks for construction sites, groundworks, landscaping, fencing, drainage, trenching and excavation projects across England and the wider UK.

We regularly support contractors, site managers and property professionals needing fast cable avoidance checks before breaking ground.

Need a CAT scan in your area? Call 07582 760007 or request a quote.

Request a Quote 07582 760007

Site questions

Common questions about CAT scanning

Important: CAT scanning and CAT & Genny checks help reduce the risk of cable strikes, but no scan can guarantee the detection of every underground service. Safe digging practices, site plans and HSG47 guidance should still be followed.

Book a check

Got a dig coming up? Get it scanned.

Send the site address, scope of works, access notes and your target dig date. We’ll come back with availability and a fixed price.

Speak to our team

07582 760007

Turnaround

Same-day quotes · Rapid site visits

Coverage

England & wider UK by arrangement