What we offer

Choose A Project Phase

Discovery

Feasibility

Procurement

Coordination

This initial phase assists with early project planning by establishing the presence of utilities in an area. Comprehensive searches for utility information are provided in a number of convenient formats.

The phase at which information obtained during Discovery is evaluated and assessed to make recommendations on how a project might be progressed. Additional information is sought from utility companies to inform next steps.

Detailed, formal costs are obtained, usually when a scheme is progressing towards final design. Our market knowledge and value engineering principles are applied to seek cost savings.

The final phase assists with the planning and coordination of utility works alongside site-based construction activity. Relevant stakeholders are engaged to deliver efficient utility programmes.

Utility Search Report

Diversionary Works Budget

New Connections Budget

Diversionary Works Detailed

New Connections Firm

Disconnections

New Connections Coordination

Diversionary Works Coordination

Utility Search Report

A fully comprehensive search of all known utility companies in an area to establish the location of their assets. Responses are collated into a single report. Our searches are conducted in accordance with industry best practice defined in PAS 128.

Utility Search Map

A visual representation of the results from a Utility Search Report, displaying all known utility assets through an intuitive and interactive layered map delivered in several digital formats.

Wayleaves Report

A report on wayleaves or easements associated with utility assets discovered in the Utility Search Report.

Constraints Analysis

A written assessment of the results of the Utility Search Report, identifying potential constraints and risks.

Capacity Analysis

A report summarising responses from relevant utility companies on the capacity within local networks to support development.

Diversionary Works Budget

Budget costs for utility diversionary works are obtained from utility companies identified during the Utility Search Report.

New Connections Budget

Budget costs for new utility mains and connections are obtained from several suitable utility companies.

Diversionary Works Detailed

The procurement of detailed costs for diversionary works that are necessary to facilitate a scheme.

New Connections Firm

Obtaining firm quotations for the provision of new utility infrastructure and connections from a range of suitable utility companies.

Disconnections

When existing utility supplies are no longer required, usually when an existing building is being demolished.

New Connections Coordination

A service to assist with planning utility diversions following acceptance of quotations obtained in the procurement phase.

Diversionary Works Coordination

A service to assist with planning new utility connections following the acceptance of quotations obtained in the procurement phase.

Utility Search Report

Our standard Utility Search Report is a PAS 128 Type D compliant desktop survey. The report provides a comprehensive search of all known utility asset owners within the requested site location. We actively pursue asset information from our extensive network of utility providers to ensure responses are efficiently collated and presented in a clear and concise manner. In doing so, we perform several quality assurance checks and reviews to verify that the information provided is accurate and appropriate, whilst ensuring any late responses are subsequently forwarded to ensure we provide the most comprehensive desktop survey.

We have performed over 50,000 fully comprehensive utility searches since 2002, refining our process of requesting, collating and compiling the report to ensure the following key benefits are realised by our clients.

Key Benefits

A desktop survey which is PAS 128 Type D compliant
The most extensive desktop survey available based on independent market research
A report which fulfils health and safety requirements under CDM regulations
Flexible turnaround times to meet your needs from 1 to 20 working days
Support from a dedicated, professional and experience customer services team
Quality assured reports governed by Atkins’ ISO accredited working practices
A selection of delivery options to support your working preference
Easy access to previous orders through My Account

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Utility Search Map

Our Utility Search Map complements our Utility Search Report by providing a visual representation of all utility assets located at the search site. Our team of qualified and skilled CAD and GIS professionals create a digital product to high cartographic standards. Our standard product is referenced against the Ordnance Survey’s British National Grid, and supplemented with large-scale base mapping, either in the form of Ordnance Survey’s MasterMap Topography or Vector Map Local data product. We can also deliver our utility search maps on base mapping provided by the client, as long as it’s sufficiently detailed. Our product is delivered using a consistent set of cartographic styles, with each respective utility asset type defined as an individual layer. We provide our maps in a variety of widely recognised digital formats, including layered PDF to aid easy dissemination of the content.

Key Benefits

A digital product which can be easily consumed in CAD and GIS software
High quality cartographic output which provides intuitive and informative content
A wide range of formats including commonly used CAD and GIS file types
Professional Certified and qualified CAD and GIS professionals assured by Atkins’ ISO accredited working practices
Flexible base mapping options to accommodate clients’ needs
Easy access to previous orders through your My Account

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Wayleaves Report

Our Wayleaves Report complements our Utility Search Report by providing supplementary information on any existing Wayleaves or Easements associated with utility assets located within the search area. Our experienced consultants assess the results of the utility search to determine whether any utility assets may be subject to Wayleave or Easement agreements and source copies of respective agreements from relevant utility companies.

Constraints Analysis

In many instances, the results of a Utility Search Report will indicate that there are further challenges ahead, with the presence of utility assets having an impact on how projects are designed and planned. Our Constraints Analysis is a detailed assessment of the utilities shown to be located within the search area. This takes the form of a report summarising the existing utility assets, coupled with proposed methodologies to overcome the constraints. We also include an estimation of costs for diversionary works and disconnections based on our experience.

Capacity Analysis

A major variable in planning any development activity is the availability of capacity in the surrounding utility networks to support new demands. At this critical juncture, it is therefore vital that early contact is made with relevant utility network operators to establish any issues. We submit enquiries to relevant utility companies to determine the capability within their networks to support development, as well as establish any key risks. We present our findings in a written summary report.

Diversionary Works Budget

In many cases where existing utility assets are shown to reside within a search site, there will be a requirement to remove or divert utilities, often to make way for construction activity. Early contact with utilities to establish budget estimates for diversionary works is a key part of project planning. This contact helps establish likely costs and risks, and ensures timely involvement of relevant stakeholders. Furthermore, it is sometimes possible to mitigate the need for diversionary works altogether, and identify alterative viable measures, such as lowering or protecting existing assets. We review the results of the Utility Search Report against scheme designs and proposals and determine a suitable strategy for the procurement of budget costs from utilities. We ensure that the correct procurement route is followed, depending on the nature and location of the project, pursuing costs in line with the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 when appropriate.

New Connections Budget

When planning to construct new buildings, a necessary consideration is the cost of providing new utility connections. This helps assist with project budgeting and can help identify any abnormal costs that might impact on how a development is planned. Additionally, to take advantage of the competitive connections market, it is useful to understand the level of interest from a range of connection providers. We review the nature and scale of development and approach various utility companies to provide budget costs for new mains and connections. Our findings are presented in a written summary report.

Diversionary Works Detailed

In many cases where existing utility assets are shown to reside within a search site, there will be a requirement to remove or divert utilities, to make way for construction activity. Where constraints arising from utilities have not been mitigated during the Diversionary Works Budget stage, it is necessary to establish firm, detailed costs for diversionary works or other mitigation techniques, including protecting or lowering the utility asset. We can obtain diversionary works costs in line with the appropriate procurement route, and have many years’ experience in working under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, where required. Our experienced team of consultants thoroughly review procured costs to ensure they represent the most appropriate and economic solution.

New Connections Firm

New buildings require new utility connections, and with a competitive connections market, it is essential to ensure the best value connections offer is obtained. In obtaining costs for new mains and connections, we review the nature of a development and tailor a procurement strategy to suit, with a competitive tendering exercise underpinning our search for the most suitable connections offer. Depending on the nature of the scheme, we will approach the regional network operators as well as independent connection providers to obtain costs for water, electric, gas and telecommunications supplies. Our experienced consultancy team review all quotations to ensure that they are in line with the requirements of the scheme, and lean on our value engineering ethos to obtain a best value, best fit cost.

Disconnections

Usually when an existing structure is planned for demolition, existing utility meters and connections need to be decommissioned and removed to enable works to proceed in a safe manner. We offer a coordination service whereby we liaise between relevant utility companies and the client’s appointed site contact to arrange for the removal of meters and disconnection of services. Our experienced consultants take on the burden of what can be a very time- consuming task, keeping our client updated with progress, to assist with safe forward planning.

New Connections Coordination

Once connections contracts have been procured using our Connections Firm service, we can assist with the subsequent planning and pre-construction coordination of relevant matters. When a utility connections offer has been accepted, we are on hand to ensure a smooth transition into the construction phase. We liaise with the appointed utilities and the client’s design and site teams and help determine a programme of works to suit. This can range from arranging mains installation and reinforcement strategies, right down to individual plot connections, depending on the scheme requirements. We can also arrange for meter references to be raised, enabling subsequent call-off of meter installations by the client’s nominated energy supplier.

Diversionary Works Coordination

Our Diversionary Works Coordination service is designed to assist clients with the planning of utility works around other site activities on a wide range of project types. We offer a bespoke service which fits around the specific needs of a project, including private developments and public realm schemes that are subject to the provisions of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991. We aim to agree a programme of works with utilities and site teams that streamline the cost and delivery of works, using a trench sharing approach when possible.