Concrete Scanning

Scan Before You Drill. Every Time.

A core drill through an unmarked post-tension tendon doesn't give you a warning. A saw cut across an energized conduit in a slab doesn't ask if you checked first. Concrete looks uniform from the surface, but what's inside it isn't. GPR concrete scanning locates rebar, post-tension cables, conduit, and embedded utilities before a drill bit or saw blade touches the slab.

Marked concrete slab with cones flagging rebar and conduit before coring
Scan Before You CorePost-tension cable strikes are catastrophic
Pre-Drill ScanBefore coring, cutting, anchoring
Rebar + PT CableMapped before you cut
Same-DayTypical mobilization
Same-day or next-day mobilization
Field marking, PDF exhibits & GPS documentation
GPR scanning before every drill, cut, or core
What It Covers

What Concrete Scanning Covers

Concrete scanning is used before drilling, coring, trenching, saw cutting, anchoring, or demolition to identify embedded hazards inside slabs and walls before work begins. Post-tension concrete is common throughout Texas commercial construction, in parking structures, elevated slabs, office buildings, and mixed-use developments. The pre-drill scan is the point where major damage and safety incidents get prevented.

  • Rebar and reinforcement patterns
  • Post-tension cables and tendons
  • Electrical conduit and duct banks
  • Plumbing and drain lines
  • Embedded utilities
  • Voids and subsurface anomalies beneath slabs

Concrete scanning works alongside private utility locating and GPR scanning to confirm what's below the slab and inside it before anyone drills, cuts, or cores.

GPR concrete scanning for rebar and post-tension cable detection in a Texas commercial slab
Applications

Where Concrete Scanning Gets Used

Scanning is commonly performed on elevated decks, parking garages, podium slabs, tilt-wall panels, industrial floors, mechanical rooms, and occupied commercial buildings where blind drilling creates risk.

Elevated Decks & Parking Structures

Dallas-Fort Worth projects frequently involve elevated parking structures and dense commercial construction where blind drilling creates substantial risk.

See GPR Scanning →

Podium Slabs

Podium slabs sit over occupied space or parking below, so a missed post-tension cable or conduit run has consequences beyond the slab itself.

Tilt-Wall Panels

Tilt-wall panels get scanned before anchoring or penetrations to confirm reinforcement and embedded conduit placement.

Industrial Floors

Houston projects often involve industrial facilities, petrochemical environments, and high-moisture slab conditions that call for careful pre-drill scanning.

Mechanical Rooms

Mechanical rooms carry dense embedded conduit and plumbing runs, so scanning before anchoring or coring keeps crews clear of active lines.

Occupied Commercial Buildings

Austin and San Antonio continue to see multifamily, municipal, healthcare, and adaptive reuse projects that require pre-drill scanning and slab verification in occupied buildings.

How It Works

The Concrete Scanning Process

Four steps from layout review to clearance for the coring crew.

1

Layout Review

We review the drilling, coring, or cutting plan and confirm site access before scanning begins.

2

Scope the Scan Area

We identify which slabs, decks, or tilt-wall panels fall inside the cut or drill path.

3

GPR Scanning

We scan the marked area with ground-penetrating radar to locate rebar, post-tension cable, conduit, and other embedded hazards.

4

Marking & Clearance

We mark findings directly on the surface and clear the area for the coring crew, with field markings, PDF exhibits, or GPS-referenced documentation provided depending on scope.

$150-$350/hr
Typical scanning rate
GPR
Non-destructive scan method
Same-Day
Typical mobilization
5.0★
Google reviews
FAQs

Common Questions About Concrete Scanning

How much does concrete scanning cost?
Concrete scanning in Texas typically runs between $150 and $350 per hour, depending on scope, slab conditions, access, and deliverables required. Smaller targeted scans may be priced per location.
Can GPR locate post-tension cables?
Yes. GPR is the standard non-destructive method used to identify post-tension tendons before drilling, coring, or saw cutting concrete slabs.
Does concrete scanning work on all slabs?
Most slabs can be scanned successfully, though dense reinforcement, excessive moisture, slab thickness, and congestion can reduce scan depth and clarity.
What can concrete scanning identify?
Concrete scanning can identify rebar, post-tension cable, conduit, embedded utilities, voids beneath slabs, and reinforcement patterns prior to drilling or cutting.
How long does a concrete scan take?
Small targeted scans may take less than an hour. Larger floor plates, elevated decks, or multiple scan areas require additional time depending on access and coverage area.
What do I get from a concrete scan?
Deliverables may include field markings, PDF exhibits, written reports, and GPS-referenced documentation, depending on project scope.
What Clients Say

Trusted by Texas contractors & project teams

Verified Google reviews from contractors, engineers, and project managers across our Texas service areas.

★★★★★

Great deliverables & timelines

"Nick and his team are some great people to work with. They offer great deliverables, and have awesome timelines."

JD
Jeremy DealGoogle Review
★★★★★

Marked out the work area

"Came to our site and marked out the utilities in the work area. Very personable. Thanks for all your help."

ZW
Zane WallaceGoogle Review
★★★★★

Outstanding service

"Nick and his team are very professional and are great at what they do. Highly recommend!"

CS
Chris ShriverGoogle Review
Get in Touch

Ready to Schedule Concrete Scanning?

Send the address and scope and we'll confirm feasibility, pricing structure, and mobilization timing before scheduling.

Austin, TX & statewide Texas coverage
Same-day / next-day mobilization