Terms and conditions

Scope and Survey Boundary

1. These terms apply to all surveys carried out by KB GPR Surveys Ltd ("KB"). KB will carry out a geophysical survey using advanced equipment to detect subsurface features and conditions within the survey boundary defined in the quotation.
2. The survey objectives, scope and boundary are defined in the quotation and in KB's Work Package Plan (WPP) or Method Statement and Risk Assessment (RAMS). All site work is carried out in accordance with an authorised WPP or RAMS.
3. KB will not survey beyond the defined boundary. Areas outside it have not been risk assessed or allowed for in the programme or price.
4. Any change to the survey objectives, or any additional scope, must be approved by KB management and may require a revised risk assessment, timescale, price and purchase order.
5. Each area will be surveyed using the methodology and equipment specified in the quotation and WPP/RAMS, as most appropriate to meet the survey objectives.

Site Access and Working Conditions

6. KB requires complete, unobstructed access to all areas within the survey boundary. No responsibility is accepted for areas missed due to lack of access.
7. Normally, only flat, accessible, unvegetated surfaces can be surveyed using geophysical methods.
8. The survey area will be obstructed while the survey is in progress. The client is responsible for ensuring a safe working environment for the duration of the survey, which may mean closing the area to other operations.
9. The client is responsible for providing any traffic management, welfare facilities, permits and additional first aid required. KB does not provide traffic management.
10. KB allows a maximum of 2 hours for site induction.
11. Where the survey must be completed in sections over different shifts and this requires special arrangements, these must be agreed with KB before work starts.
12. KB staff may leave site without notice at any time if they judge that their health and safety is not adequately protected. Delays caused by health and safety issues are chargeable at the full rate.

Working Hours, Scheduling and Cancellation

13. Prices and durations are based on a standard 8-hour shift. KB's standard working hours are:

    • a. Day shift: 08:00–16:00
    • b. Night shift: 21:00–05:00 (night shifts are charged at an additional rate)

14. KB staff are not obliged to work beyond the standard shift without prior approval from KB management, or to remain on site once the specified work is complete, even if shift hours remain.

15. KB does not work on Saturdays, Sundays or bank holidays. Work on these days may be agreed on request and will be charged at an additional rate.
16. The start date will be agreed on receipt of a purchase order.
17. At least 48 hours' notice is required to cancel a shift; otherwise the shift will be charged.
18. Timescales assume full access is provided at the agreed times. KB is not responsible for delays caused by the client or by adverse weather. Delays that result in additional shifts on site will be charged.
19. KB does not accept charge-back of the client's costs arising from any delay, including delays attributable to KB.

Deliverables

20. Deliverables are defined in the quotation and are usually issued as:

    • a. CAD drawing (PDF and/or DWG format)
    • b. Survey report (PDF format)
    • c. Site markings

21. Unless stated otherwise in the quotation, deliverables are issued within 15 working days of completing the site work.

22. Survey data is archived for a minimum of 12 months after delivery of the results.
23. Drawings and reports reflect site conditions at the time of the survey and are valid for 180 days from issue. After this period they should not be relied upon without re-survey or verification.
24. Any queries, complaints or claims regarding the survey or its deliverables must be raised in writing within 30 days of receipt of the deliverables. After this period the deliverables are deemed accepted, and further work may be chargeable.

Quotations, Invoicing and Payment

25. Unless stated otherwise, quotations are valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
26. An invoice is raised on delivery of the results. Large projects are invoiced monthly, with the balance on completion.
27. Payment terms are strictly 30 days from the invoice date.

Utility Surveys

28. All utility surveys require statutory utility records (STATS) before work starts. These can be provided by the client or obtained by KB at additional cost.
29. Services are traced individually from the STATS records. Unrecorded services are searched for by walking a grid using electromagnetic location (EML) in power and radio modes, and by ground penetrating radar (GPR).
30. Accessible manhole covers are lifted and services clamped, but manholes are not entered. Broken or jammed covers will not be forced, and private property will not be accessed. Obstructions may result in services being missed.
31. Drainage is shown on drawings but not entered. Where possible, it is traced from the surface.
32. BT covers will not be lifted. Where possible, telecoms cables are traced using inductive methods. BT provides a tracing service and should be contacted directly to lift its own covers and trace its cables.
33. Gas and water service connections to properties are usually undetectable, because their small-diameter plastic pipes cannot be detected by GPR or induced electromagnetically.
34. STATS records can be inaccurate, incorrectly positioned or incomplete. Records transposed onto drawings are indicative only.
35. All depths are indicative.

Limitations of Survey Methods

36. The performance of GPR and EML varies with local site conditions beyond the operator's control. Every effort is made to detect all services, but 100% detection cannot be guaranteed.

Electromagnetic Location (EML)

37. EML detects metallic services only. Non-metallic services, including plastic gas and water pipes and clay or concrete drains and sewers, cannot be detected.
38. Performance in power and radio modes varies with the load on the cable and the status of the long-wave radio signal, which is occasionally switched off for maintenance.
39. Electromagnetic fields can be distorted, causing services to be shown in the wrong location.
40. Out-of-commission cables with no earth, high-voltage cables that cannot be induced, and pot ends may be undetectable, although all reasonable techniques will be used.
41. A service that cannot be accessed to induce a signal may be impossible to detect using EML.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)

42. GPR cannot identify what a detected feature or service is.
43. GPR penetration depends on the frequency used and local ground conditions. It can range from less than 1 m to several metres and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
44. As an indicative guide only, GPR can detect features with a diameter of at least 10% of their depth (for example, a 0.1 m diameter service at 1 m depth).
45. Features usually need to be detected several times to confirm their position.
46. Cluttered ground, such as many rocks or tree roots, makes GPR data more difficult to interpret.
47. GPR must pass directly over a feature to detect it. Obstructions that prevent complete coverage create gaps in the coverage and in the deliverable.
48. Thick vegetation cannot be surveyed using GPR. Where possible, grass should be cut short.
49. Narrow areas may be difficult to scan because of the size of the GPR antenna.

Disclaimer

50. KB will carry out a professional survey using high-performance equipment and trained personnel, in accordance with best industry practice and guidance. Deliverables are subject to internal quality control.
51. Because of the inherent limitations of geophysical methods and the interpretive nature of the results, KB cannot guarantee 100% detection or accuracy.
52. Survey results represent KB's best interpretation of the data collected on site. They are for information only and must be verified by intrusive investigation, such as trial holes, before being acted upon.
53. KB accepts no responsibility or liability for loss, damage, cost, delay or any other impact of any kind resulting from undetected, misinterpreted or misrepresented features or utilities, or from decisions or actions based on information provided by KB.
54. The client bears ultimate responsibility for confirming the precise nature and location of features and utilities.

Acceptance of Terms

55. Work cannot commence until the client has agreed to these terms. By commissioning a survey, the client accepts these terms, including the disclaimer. Use of the results is deemed acceptance of them.
56. Information about what our survey methods can and cannot detect is available on our website.