Private Utility Locating Company

SDL Utility Locating

A division of Smart Digging LLC, delivering accurate, compliant, and dependable underground utility locating solutions for commercial and residential clients.

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Call 811 Before You Dig - Then Call Us

Smart Digging LLC

Smart Digging LLC provides professional underground utility locating services through its SDL Utility Locating division. We deliver expert locating solutions by leveraging advanced technology and industry-leading practices to ensure every project is accurately mapped, fully compliant, and safe.

We serve homeowners, contractors, engineers, businesses, data centers, and municipalities, providing the insight and precision needed to plan effectively, mitigate risk, and execute projects on schedule.

Our team specializes in active locating of gas, electric, fiber optic, and communication lines and their duct systems, as well as high-power electrical duct banks, upholding the highest standards of safety, accuracy, and operational efficiency on every job.

Annual Contract

Fast & Reliable

Get accurate utility locates quickly to keep your project on schedule.

Skilled Experts

Our experienced team provides precise and safe utility locating services you can trust.

Cutting-Edge

We use state-of-the-art electromagnetic and magnetic detection equipment.

Jobsite Safety

Ensure a safe jobsite while preventing damage and costly project delays.

Safe & Accurate Utility Locating

Underground Utility Damage Prevention

Private underground utilities are the property owner’s responsibility, not public services. These include lines such as gas, electric, and fiber optic that run from the main connection to specific parts of your property.

Private Utilities

Private underground utilities are the property owner’s responsibility, not public services. These include lines such as gas, electric, and fiber optic that run from the main connection to specific parts of your property. To prevent damage, safety hazards, and costly repairs, it’s essential to hire a private utility locator - since public services like 811 only mark public utility lines.

Public services like 811 only mark gas lines running from the street to your meter. Any private gas lines - such as those supplying an outbuilding, pool heater, or outdoor grill are not covered by 811.

Gas Lines

Public services like 811 only mark gas lines running from the street to your meter. Any private gas lines - such as those supplying an outbuilding, pool heater, or outdoor grill are not covered by 811. To ensure every gas line on your property is properly identified before digging, it’s essential to combine 811 with a private utility locating service.

811 services locate only the main electric lines between your meter and the utility transformer. However, any private power lines - such as those supplying sheds, landscape lighting, or detached buildings - are not included.

Electric Lines

811 services locate only the main electric lines between your meter and the utility transformer. However, any private power lines - such as those supplying sheds, landscape lighting, or detached buildings - are not included. A private utility locating service helps identify these hidden lines to prevent electrical hazards and ensure a safe, interruption-free excavation.

811 services typically mark only utility owned communication lines. However, private fiber networks including connections between data centers, campus buildings, or dedicated duct run systems are not covered by 811.

Fiber & Communication Lines

811 services typically mark only utility owned communication lines. However, private fiber networks including connections between data centers, campus buildings, or dedicated duct run systems are not covered by 811. A private utility locating company accurately identifies these underground utilities to prevent costly outages, protect infrastructure, and ensure uninterrupted communication during excavation.

Time-sensitive projects and unexpected site conditions demand immediate action. Our emergency utility locating services deliver rapid, on-site response for urgent excavations, system failures, or repair operations.

Emergency Utility Locate

Time-sensitive projects and unexpected site conditions demand immediate action. Our emergency utility locating services deliver rapid, on-site response for urgent excavations, system failures, or repair operations. We provide precise, real-time utility identification to minimize downtime, mitigate risk, and maintain jobsite safety and productivity.

Successful projects start with knowing what’s below. Our pre-construction utility locating services provide clear, accurate subsurface information early in the planning process—helping reduce risk, avoid costly utility strikes, and keep construction moving forward without surprises.

Pre-Construction Utility Management

Our team integrates utility locating into your pre-construction planning to streamline workflows, prevent costly surprises, and protect excavation sites from damage. We work closely with data centers, engineering teams, and public utility owners to provide accurate, up-to-date underground utility information, ensuring projects stay on schedule, on budget, and fully compliant.

Safety & Compliance

Protecting People, Property & Infrastructure

Safety is our top priority on every job site. Our locating practices meet or exceed industry standards to safeguard workers, utilities, and the communities we serve. From construction projects to emergency repairs, we put safety and compliance first always.

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We Follow Best Practices

Our work is built on precision, efficiency, and professionalism. We partner with data centers, contractors, engineers, and public utility owners to deliver reliable, accurate results – SDL Utility Locating, a name you can trust.

  • Industry-Certified Technicians
  • Accurate & Reliable Locating
  • High-Tech Locating Solutions
  • On-Time Project Delivery

Beyond 811

Protecting What Keeps Communities Running

In an era of complex underground networks, “call before you dig” is just the beginning. SDL Utility Locating operates Beyond 811, employing subsurface detection techniques to achieve a level of precision that eliminates guesswork. Our comprehensive surveys ensure damage prevention is absolute, not merely a best effort. By accurately mapping and protecting utilities, we help construction and maintenance projects proceed efficiently, guaranteeing the long-term safety and sustainability of the infrastructure that supports local communities.

North Suburbs

Residential & Commercial Utility Locating Services Prioritizing safety for everyone

West Suburbs

GPR & EM Locating Available Detecting both metallic and non-metallic utilities

South Suburbs

Emergency Response Available Fast response to prevent costly utility strikes

Serving the Greater Chicagoland Region

Our Core Services

Electromagnetic Utility Locating

Using advanced RD8200G electromagnetic technology, we accurately locate and mark buried metallic utilities across residential, commercial, and industrial sites. Our team can detect a wide range of utilities, including electric, communication, gas, fiber-optic lines, parking lot lighting, and security camera lines, ensuring that every line is properly identified before excavation begins.

Our process provides accurate path and depth information, helping contractors and property managers plan safely and avoid costly utility strikes or project delays.

Utility Mapping & Verification

Using precise locating technology, we map and verify underground utilities across your site to ensure every line is accurately identified before excavation. Our team focuses on private utility lines, including electrical, gas, water, sewer, and communication conduits, providing a clear and comprehensive picture of what lies beneath the surface.

Accurate mapping ensures that all project planning, excavation, and construction decisions are based on reliable information, minimizing downtime and protecting surrounding infrastructure.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) allows us to detect non-metallic and hard-to-find utilities, including plastic water lines, PCCP water mains, fiber-optic conduits, and sewer laterals. This technology provides a clear and accurate view of subsurface utilities, helping project teams plan safely and avoid costly mistakes during excavation.

GPR is highly effective on sites where metallic utilities are limited or private lines may be hidden, ensuring all underground utilities are accurately located and mapped.

Note: We do not provide geophysical, geological, engineering, or land surveying services; our GPR locating focuses solely on subsurface utility detection and verification.

Beyond 811 Verification

SDL Utility Locating verifies the accuracy of public utility markings completed by the 811 One Call system and identifies any private utilities not covered by 811. While 811 provides a critical first step by marking public lines, their scope is limited to facilities owned and maintained by utility providers, and errors or omissions can still occur.

Our verification ensures that all underground utilities are accounted for, giving residential, commercial, and industrial clients reliable information before excavation. By confirming public markings and locating private lines, we help minimize downtime, reduce risk, and protect property and infrastructure throughout the project.

About the Founder

With over 28 years in the underground utility locating industry, I’ve seen firsthand how dramatically the work and the technology has evolved. When I began my career at SM&P Utility Resources, everything was done with the most basic tools. This was long before today’s advanced electromagnetic locating systems became the standard.

Back then, we had a simple motto:
“Our mark is Our word. PERIOD!”
That phrase stuck with me. It meant more than just paint on the ground it stood for integrity, accountability, and pride in craftsmanship. Those values have guided me throughout my entire career.

I started out in the field every day, marking utilities through the 811 JULIE system, protecting underground infrastructure, and making sure excavation crews could do their work safely. Over time, I saw a rising need for that same level of precision and professionalism in the private locating sector the part of the industry that 811 doesn’t cover.

That insight is what led me to create SDL Utility Locating, a division of Smart Digging LLC. My mission is simple:
To combine decades of hands-on expertise with a commitment to safety, reliability, and trust on every job, every time.

Today, that mission continues stronger than ever. Every mark we make reflects years of experience and the same standard I started with:
Protect what’s underground. Keep every job site safe. Do it right – because our mark is our word.

Request a Quote

Prepare for your next project with confidence.

SDL Utility Locating delivers precise, reliable, and professional private utility locating services for residential, commercial, industrial, municipal, and data center projects throughout the Greater Chicagoland Region. Our experienced team carefully evaluates each site, identifies potential hazards related to private utilities, and provides detailed guidance to help you plan and dig safely. This helps you avoid costly or dangerous mistakes that can delay your work.

Request a quote today share your project details, including location, scope, and timeline, and a representative will reach out promptly to provide information on scheduling, pricing, and the next steps. We work closely with homeowners, contractors, excavators, and data center operators to provide guidance, answer questions, and make the process straightforward from start to finish.

Serving the Greater Chicagoland Region

  • Phone: 1 (312) 985-6106
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Or use our online form to request service.

A division of Smart Digging LLC

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Homeowners should contact us before any digging or home project, such as:

• Installing a fence, deck, or mailbox
• Adding irrigation or lighting
• Planting trees or doing major landscaping

Many homes have private utility lines that aren’t covered by 811, like water lines, gas lines going to pools or BBQ grills, and power to garages or sheds. SDL Utility Locating ensures your property is safe before you dig.

SDL Utility Locating specializes in private utility locating services. We identify and mark underground utilities that aren’t covered by the public 811 call-before-you-dig service, helping you prevent costly damage and keep your excavation projects safe and compliant.

Yes. You should always call 811 first to have public utilities marked.
After that, SDL Utility Locating completes the job by locating private utilities that 811 does not cover. This ensures every line public and private is accounted for.

You can call, email, or request service through our website. Our team will discuss your project details with you and provide a clear estimate based on location, site size, and scope of work.

We provide utility locating services for residential, commercial, industrial, municipal, and data center properties. SDL Utility Locating delivers precise, reliable, and industry-standard results for projects of any size, ensuring each site is accurately marked, compliant, and ready for safe excavation.

Please note: our utility locating service does not replace the required 811 call before digging. You should always contact 811 first to have your public utility lines marked.

Pricing depends on the size, location, and complexity of your project. We provide a transparent estimate after reviewing your project details.

Smart Digging LLC educates homeowners, contractors, and excavators on safe practices for digging around underground utilities. We provide guidance and best practices to help you plan projects carefully, avoid costly mistakes, and prevent dangerous damages before you break ground.

Once 811 marks your public utilities and your start time and due date has cleared, you can safely begin work. Follow safe digging practices, and contact Smart Digging LLC with any questions about private or public utilities.

Email: [email protected]