Potholing and Service Proving
Targeted potholing to visually confirm the exact location and depth of underground services before you dig — the practical way to verify what the plans say.
What is potholing and service proving?
Potholing is the practice of excavating a small, targeted hole to physically expose a buried service and confirm its actual location and depth. Service proving uses the same approach to verify that the services shown on plans — or flagged by a locator — are exactly where they're supposed to be.
Plans and electromagnetic locating give an indication of where services run, but they can be inaccurate. Potholing removes the guesswork by exposing the asset directly, so your team can dig or design with confidence.
Common applications
- Verifying service depth before directional drilling or boring
- Confirming asset locations for design and set-out
- Proving services before mechanical excavation
- Clearance checks for new installations
- Resolving conflicts between planned and existing services
- Pre-construction due diligence on high-risk sites
Suitable project types
- Civil and infrastructure projects
- Utility installation and upgrades
- Telecommunications and power network builds
- Road and rail works
- Council capital works
- Mining and industrial site development
The typical work process
- 1
Gather plans
Collect service plans and any existing locate information for the site.
- 2
Mark targets
Identify the specific services and locations to be proven.
- 3
Pothole
Vacuum excavation exposes each target service in a small, controlled hole.
- 4
Record
Measure and record the confirmed location and depth for your records.
Safety and planning considerations
- Potholing is the most reliable way to confirm a service's true position
- Always pothole before mechanical excavation in high-risk zones
- Record confirmed depths to inform the rest of the project
- Combine with current service plans and locates for best results
Vacuum excavation reduces the risk of service strikes. It does not guarantee zero damage — accurate service plans and planning remain essential.
Equipment details
- Compact potholing unit
- 2022 No Dig VM850 (ideal for agile potholing)
- High-capacity truck
- Hino FM2632 6x4 · 2,450 CFM (large-volume campaigns & bulk exposure)
- Water excavation
- 3,000 PSI (VM850) / 3,600 PSI (High-Capacity)
- Operator
- Experienced operator included
Service area
We carry out potholing and service proving across New England, North West NSW and the Upper Hunter from our Tamworth base. Mobilisation depends on the number of potholes required, location and scheduling.
Frequently asked questions
Need potholing and service proving on your site?
Call 0418 790 274 or request a quote with your project details.
Planning excavation work around underground services?
Talk to a regional vacuum excavation specialist. We'll help you scope the work, confirm equipment suitability and arrange mobilisation.