Three things to know
- Do not confuse operator statements with on-site marking.
- Include known private services too.
- Cover the entire working area, including equipment movements.
Contents of this guide
Documents, on-site conditions and private services
For each affected utility, obtain the statement and follow its operator's required procedure. A gate power cable, irrigation or garden water supply may be private services for which the public network operator has no records. Include the entire working area, not just the proposed trench centreline. Give the contractor the documents together with their conditions and attachments.
Swipe sideways to see all columns.
| Document or activity | What to check before work |
|---|---|
| Information on a utility's existence or location | The operator, area covered, purpose and document conditions. |
| Response to project documents | Whether it relates to the current version of the project. |
| On-site marking | Whether it is required, who arranges it and how the records are handed over. |
CETIN — requesting a statement on network location (Czech) ↗
Include the actual work area in your request
Draw the excavation, working space and locations genuinely affected by the project. Add the available site plan and associated access or handling areas as required by the application. Too small a plan extract may not cover an area into which work later extends.
Identify the relevant operators for the actual area; one operator cannot confirm all utilities. Alongside public networks, address known private connections and services on the property. Keep any additional owner-held records separately and identify their origin. An uncertain route does not confirm that an area is clear.
Record the next step for each operator
For every document received, record its reference, date, relationship to the project, stated validity and pre-start conditions. We give no universal validity period or marking deadline: the actual document and operator's procedure govern these. Also check who requests marking and how the site visit is arranged.
For example, ČEZ Distribuce's conditions require the relevant underground equipment to be marked and workers demonstrably informed of its position. They also contain requirements for carrying out work and inspection before covering. These requirements do not automatically apply to another operator or every excavation.
ČEZ Distribuce — requirements for work within underground utility protection zones (Czech) ↗
Make the contractor handover clear
Prepare one folder containing the project plan, operator statements, attachments and marking records. Keep operator names and document references so related items are identifiable. A cropped image without its legend and conditions is often insufficient for preparation.
Before equipment arrives, confirm with the contractor that the documents were received, the scope is understood and restrictions are known. Name a contact to resolve queries. Address route changes, illegible markings or conflicts with documents before working in the affected location, rather than adding a note after completion.
Example: having the PDF does not mean preparation is complete
An owner has utility statements and wants to start the following day. A joint check reveals that the plan extract excludes a new trench section and one utility still needs on-site marking. The sensible next step is to complete the information and confirm readiness, rather than treating one completed application as approval for all work.
This is an illustrative situation, not a recorded project or universal legal procedure. The point is to assess documents against the particular project and read their conditions. Marking colours, assumed depths or a neighbour's experience do not replace that preparation.
What to send with an excavation enquiry
Include the municipality, purpose and scope of excavation, available documents and utility preparation status. Explain what is confirmed, which steps remain and who is responsible for completing them. Equipment and timing can then be discussed against actual readiness.
With SORTI, you are enquiring about earthworks. This guide does not offer marking of other operators' utilities or responsibility for communicating with every operator. If you need document coordination, discuss it explicitly beforehand; responsibilities must not be inferred simply from booking an excavator.
Frequently asked questions
Is downloading a utility map enough?
That is not complete preparation. You need documents for the particular project and must meet the relevant operators' conditions, including marking where required.
Does one operator's statement cover all utilities?
No. It concerns that operator's equipment and the area it defines. Other services must be addressed separately.
How long is a statement valid?
That depends on the actual document and its conditions. Check validity and applicability before ordering work, particularly if the project changes.
What if I add another excavation section after receiving a statement?
Have it checked that the documents cover the changed area and project. Arrange any necessary additions before work in the affected section.
Have documents for your actual excavation route?
Send the location, current plan and a list of completed and outstanding preparation items. We will discuss the earthworks brief without making assumptions about missing documents.