Why Concrete Core Drilling Companies Are Partnering for Concrete Scanning GPR Instead of Going In-House
Concrete scanning GPR is a non-destructive radar technology that locates rebar, cables, and utilities inside concrete before drilling or coring begins.
A Virginia core drilling crew gets a same-day government facility job, but nobody on staff is trained to run a scan first. Buying GPR equipment outright can cost between $14,000 and over $100,000, according to GPRS industry pricing data published in 2025. That's exactly why a growing number of concrete core drilling companies skip the purchase entirely and partner with a dedicated concrete scanning GPR provider instead. It's faster, cheaper per job, and keeps crews focused on what they do best: drilling clean holes, not learning radar interpretation.
What Does a Scanning Partnership Actually Look Like?
A scanning partnership means a core drilling company calls in a certified GPR technician before each job, rather than keeping that skill in-house. The scanning provider locates rebar, conduits, and post-tension cables, marks the slab, and hands over a written report. The drilling crew then cores with confidence, knowing exactly where it's safe to cut.
This model works because the two skill sets are genuinely different. Reading a GPR signal accurately takes real training — GPRS reports its technicians complete 320 hours of field training and 80 hours of classroom instruction before working independently. Most coring crews simply don't need that level of specialization full-time.
In short: concrete scanning GPR partnerships let drilling companies access expert-level radar skills without carrying the cost of building that skill set in-house.
Why Are More Companies Choosing This Model Over Hiring In-House?
The shift comes down to cost, flexibility, and liability.
Lower upfront cost. Equipment alone can run six figures, before training, certification, or software.
No idle overhead. A full-time GPR technician sits unused on slow weeks; a partner only gets paid per job.
Faster scaling. Companies can take on bigger or more frequent jobs without hiring ahead of demand.
Shared liability protection. A specialized partner carries insurance specific to scanning errors, which spreads risk more evenly.
OSHA Standard 1926.651 requires utility locations to be identified before any excavation or penetration work, so scanning isn't optional anyway — the only real question is who performs it.
How Does a Pull Out Test Fit Into This Partnership?
Once scanning confirms a slab is clear, many partnerships also include a pull out test for anchor bolts, scaffold anchors, or safety lifeline anchors. This test applies tension to an installed anchor to confirm it holds its rated load before crews rely on it.
For example, on a recent commercial retrofit, a partnered technician ran a pull out test right after scanning and caught an under-set anchor before scaffolding went up — a save that could have prevented a serious fall hazard. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported over 17,000 construction-site injuries in 2022 tied to contact with objects and equipment, underscoring why this extra step matters.
Bundling scanning and pull out testing under one partner also means one report, one invoice, and one point of contact for the drilling company.
What Mistakes Do Companies Make When Setting Up These Partnerships?
Choosing on price alone. The cheapest scanning partner isn't always certified or insured properly.
Skipping a trial job. Companies should test a new partner on a low-stakes project before relying on them for high-pressure government or hospital work.
No clear response-time agreement. Emergency jobs need a partner who can show up same-day, not next week.
Ignoring documentation standards. A partner who doesn't provide written, marked-up reports isn't worth keeping long-term. (Opinion, based on industry practice.)
Comparison: In-House GPR vs. Scanning Partnership
FactorIn-House GPR TeamScanning PartnershipUpfront Cost$14,000–$100,000+ in equipmentNo equipment purchase neededTraining TimeSeveral months of certificationImmediate access to trained techsBest ForHigh-volume, dedicated scanning firmsCore drilling companies with variable job flowLiabilityCompany carries full riskRisk shared with insured partner
FAQ
1. What is concrete scanning GPR used for? Concrete scanning GPR is used to locate rebar, post-tension cables, conduits, and utilities inside concrete before any drilling, cutting, or coring begins.
2. Why don't more concrete core drilling companies just buy their own GPR equipment? Most core drilling companies skip ownership because equipment alone can cost $14,000 to over $100,000, plus months of training, which doesn't pay off unless scanning is a daily need.
3. What is a pull out test, and when is it needed? A pull out test measures how much tension load an anchor bolt can hold before slipping or failing, and it's typically run after scanning confirms the surrounding concrete is clear.
4. Is concrete scanning legally required before coring? OSHA Standard 1926.651 requires underground utility locations to be identified before excavation or penetration work, which scanning directly satisfies.
5. How fast can a scanning partner respond to an emergency job? Response time depends on the agreement in place, but many partnerships are structured around same-day or next-day availability for urgent commercial and government jobs.
6. Does a scanning partnership cost more than hiring in-house long-term? For companies without daily scanning needs, a partnership is almost always cheaper since it avoids equipment costs, training time, and idle technician overhead.
Conclusion
Concrete scanning GPR and pull out testing require specialized skills that most core drilling companies don't use often enough to justify owning in-house. Partnering with a dedicated provider keeps crews focused on drilling while still meeting safety and compliance standards on every job. If your team is weighing in-house equipment against a partnership model, it's worth starting with a trial job before committing long-term.
