Concrete scanning is usually priced by the half day or full day, not by the square foot. What you pay depends mostly on how many locations need scanning, how spread out they are, and what you need delivered at the end. This guide covers what drives the cost, how to scope a job so you aren't paying for extra mobilizations, and what you're buying compared with the cost of hitting something you can't see.
How concrete scanning is priced
Most firms, Trinity Subsurface included, charge a day rate for a technician and a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system. A half day usually covers a handful of core or anchor locations in one building. A full day covers larger layouts, saw-cut lines or several floors. A few firms quote per location, but those quotes usually come with a minimum charge that works out to about a half day anyway.
What drives the cost
- Number of locations and how far apart they are. Ten cores on one floor scan faster than ten cores spread across six floors, a roof and a parking deck.
- Size of each scan area. A single 4-inch core needs a small grid. A 40-foot saw-cut line or a full trench through a slab needs continuous scanning along its whole length.
- Slab type and thickness. Post-tensioned slabs, two-way rebar mats and thick foundation mats take more care to read than a thin slab on grade with one layer of mesh.
- Access and timing. Occupied hospitals, labs and data centers often need after-hours or weekend work, escorts, or scanning around equipment. Those conditions add time.
- Deliverables. Marking targets on the surface is the base service. A written report, photos of each location, or CAD drawings of the findings add office time.
- Mobilization. Travel to the site is part of every job. Bundling scanning with coring, utility locating or a second building in the same trip spreads that cost.
How to keep the cost down
- Lay out every location before the crew arrives. Mark each core, anchor or cut line on the slab or send a marked-up drawing. A technician waiting on layout is time you pay for.
- Batch the work. One visit for every penetration on a project costs less than three short visits as each trade gets to the area.
- Clear the floor. GPR needs direct contact with the surface. Move carpet tiles, equipment and stored material out of the scan areas first.
- Ask for the deliverable you actually need. If the cutting contractor only needs marks on the floor, you may not need a full report.
- Scan and core in one trip. Trinity can scan and core in the same visit, which removes a second mobilization.
What you're paying to avoid
Cutting a post-tension tendon or a live conduit costs far more than any scan. A cut tendon can release under tension and has to be repaired by a specialty contractor, often with an engineer reviewing the slab. A cut conduit can mean a power outage, an injury and a shutdown of the space. Scanning first is a small line item compared with any of those.
Why GPR instead of X-ray
GPR shows results on site in real time and emits no radiation, so the rest of the building stays open while we work. X-ray imaging needs the area around the shot cleared and film processed before anyone knows what's in the slab. For most coring and cutting work, GPR is faster and costs less.
Get a quote
Send us the number of locations, the building type, the slab type if you know it, and any access limits. We'll quote a half day or full day and tell you what fits in it. Request a proposal or call (855) 387-4648.
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