Which stage of underground work are you buying for?

Why it matters: These tools sit at different points. Exodigo maps utilities, foundations and geotechnical conditions before excavation without breaking ground. CivilGrid gathers existing utility and site records from 100,000+ asset owners (vendor claim) for planning and design. SewerAI and ITpipes code CCTV footage of existing pipe networks. GroundedAI captures ground conditions during tunnelling and mining. Tip: Name the decision the pilot supports (a design that avoids conflicts, a bid, a rehab plan, a ground-condition record) before you book demos.

Is it records research, new field sensing, or both?

Why it matters: CivilGrid works from existing records: it says it finds and contacts the asset owners, handling NDAs, fees and follow-ups, then shows utility and site data as map layers with potential conflicts flagged. Exodigo's ExoInfo uses AI to connect utility records, as-builts, geotechnical reports, satellite imagery and permits, then adds non-intrusive multi-sensor scanning with targeted validation. Tip: Ask which features on the final map came from records, which from field sensing, and which were physically verified.

How do results map to ASCE 38 utility quality levels?

Why it matters: This is our note, carried over from our underground roundup: the Exodigo pages we read do not say how results map to ASCE 38 quality levels, and the CivilGrid homepage does not mention them either. Tip: If your owner or DOT specifies quality levels, ask the vendor to label every delivered feature with one, and who signs or stamps the deliverable.

Can every record be traced back to its source?

Why it matters: CivilGrid says its basemap export carries a chain-of-custody log tracing every record to its source. GroundedAI says field observations, 3D data, photos and notes live in one place and become repeatable reports. Tip: Pick three features on a demo map or report and ask to open the original record or observation behind each one.

Who checks the AI's work before you get it?

Why it matters: Exodigo says it combines AI with engineers and geophysicists. ITpipes says AiDetect pairs AI automation with expert human oversight. SewerAI lists QAI, which automates inspection QA, alongside AutoCode. Tip: Ask who reviews outputs before delivery, what qualifications they hold (for example NASSCO-certified coders or licensed engineers), and whether you can see their edits.

What are the accuracy and speed figures measured against?

Why it matters: SewerAI claims 99%+ accuracy at 6x the speed of manual review for AutoCode. ITpipes claims AiDetect cuts coding and QA by at least 50% with 97% defect detection accuracy. Exodigo cites 86.1M sq ft scanned. All are vendor claims, not verified. Tip: For CCTV coding, have a NASSCO-certified reviewer code the same footage and count disagreements on structural defects. For mapping, compare results against potholes or test pits at known locations.

Where does the output have to go?

Why it matters: GroundedAI exports datasets to Leapfrog, Deswik and AutoCAD and lists workflows for Rocscience and Itasca. CivilGrid exports the basemap in your format. ITpipes lists Esri GIS compatibility, an API and integrations including Trimble Cityworks. SewerAI lists integrations across GIS, work order management and custom APIs. Tip: Name your CAD, GIS, geology and asset management tools and ask to see a real export open in them.

Will it help document differing site conditions?

Why it matters: GroundedAI lists differing site documentation and tunnel RES (required excavation support) meetings among its workflows, and says Lithos captures 3D data, photos and notes in the field and works offline. Our underground roundup suggests asking how ground-condition data ties back to design assumptions and change claims. Tip: Ask to see one dated, located record of a changed ground condition in the form you would attach to a notice to the owner.

How is it priced, and what passes through?

Why it matters: SewerAI's pricing page lists a basis per product with no figures: Pioneer as an annual seat-based subscription, AutoCode usage-based and Risk & Rehab population-based, plus a free preliminary rehab plan report from your own inspection data. Exodigo, CivilGrid, GroundedAI and ITpipes publish no prices. CivilGrid says it handles record-request fees from asset owners but does not say who pays them. Tip: Ask whether you pay per project, per mile or foot, per seat or per request, and which third-party fees are passed through.

Home / Guides / Questions to ask before a subsurface utility, sewer inspection or underground data pilot

Questions to ask before a subsurface utility, sewer inspection or underground data pilot

A checklist for a first conversation with a vendor that works below grade: subsurface utility mapping and records, sewer CCTV coding, or underground construction data. These are our suggestions, drawn from our heavy civil category, our underground roundup and compares. They are not findings: Means & Methods Lab has not tested any tool. Where a question mentions a vendor, it points to something that vendor publishes. Desk research, not tested.

SUGGESTIONS, NOT FINDINGS. No tool has been tested by Means & Methods Lab. Vendor facts are desk research from vendor websites and are not verified. Updated 2026-10-17.

The questions (9)

Q01Which stage of underground work are you buying for?
WHY IT MATTERS · These tools sit at different points. Exodigo maps utilities, foundations and geotechnical conditions before excavation without breaking ground. CivilGrid gathers existing utility and site records from 100,000+ asset owners (vendor claim) for planning and design. SewerAI and ITpipes code CCTV footage of existing pipe networks. GroundedAI captures ground conditions during tunnelling and mining.
WHAT TO ASK · Name the decision the pilot supports (a design that avoids conflicts, a bid, a rehab plan, a ground-condition record) before you book demos.
Q02Is it records research, new field sensing, or both?
WHY IT MATTERS · CivilGrid works from existing records: it says it finds and contacts the asset owners, handling NDAs, fees and follow-ups, then shows utility and site data as map layers with potential conflicts flagged. Exodigo's ExoInfo uses AI to connect utility records, as-builts, geotechnical reports, satellite imagery and permits, then adds non-intrusive multi-sensor scanning with targeted validation.
WHAT TO ASK · Ask which features on the final map came from records, which from field sensing, and which were physically verified.
Q03How do results map to ASCE 38 utility quality levels?
WHY IT MATTERS · This is our note, carried over from our underground roundup: the Exodigo pages we read do not say how results map to ASCE 38 quality levels, and the CivilGrid homepage does not mention them either.
WHAT TO ASK · If your owner or DOT specifies quality levels, ask the vendor to label every delivered feature with one, and who signs or stamps the deliverable.
Q04Can every record be traced back to its source?
WHY IT MATTERS · CivilGrid says its basemap export carries a chain-of-custody log tracing every record to its source. GroundedAI says field observations, 3D data, photos and notes live in one place and become repeatable reports.
WHAT TO ASK · Pick three features on a demo map or report and ask to open the original record or observation behind each one.
Q05Who checks the AI's work before you get it?
WHY IT MATTERS · Exodigo says it combines AI with engineers and geophysicists. ITpipes says AiDetect pairs AI automation with expert human oversight. SewerAI lists QAI, which automates inspection QA, alongside AutoCode.
WHAT TO ASK · Ask who reviews outputs before delivery, what qualifications they hold (for example NASSCO-certified coders or licensed engineers), and whether you can see their edits.
Q06What are the accuracy and speed figures measured against?
WHY IT MATTERS · SewerAI claims 99%+ accuracy at 6x the speed of manual review for AutoCode. ITpipes claims AiDetect cuts coding and QA by at least 50% with 97% defect detection accuracy. Exodigo cites 86.1M sq ft scanned. All are vendor claims, not verified.
WHAT TO ASK · For CCTV coding, have a NASSCO-certified reviewer code the same footage and count disagreements on structural defects. For mapping, compare results against potholes or test pits at known locations.
Q07Where does the output have to go?
WHY IT MATTERS · GroundedAI exports datasets to Leapfrog, Deswik and AutoCAD and lists workflows for Rocscience and Itasca. CivilGrid exports the basemap in your format. ITpipes lists Esri GIS compatibility, an API and integrations including Trimble Cityworks. SewerAI lists integrations across GIS, work order management and custom APIs.
WHAT TO ASK · Name your CAD, GIS, geology and asset management tools and ask to see a real export open in them.
Q08Will it help document differing site conditions?
WHY IT MATTERS · GroundedAI lists differing site documentation and tunnel RES (required excavation support) meetings among its workflows, and says Lithos captures 3D data, photos and notes in the field and works offline. Our underground roundup suggests asking how ground-condition data ties back to design assumptions and change claims.
WHAT TO ASK · Ask to see one dated, located record of a changed ground condition in the form you would attach to a notice to the owner.
Q09How is it priced, and what passes through?
WHY IT MATTERS · SewerAI's pricing page lists a basis per product with no figures: Pioneer as an annual seat-based subscription, AutoCode usage-based and Risk & Rehab population-based, plus a free preliminary rehab plan report from your own inspection data. Exodigo, CivilGrid, GroundedAI and ITpipes publish no prices. CivilGrid says it handles record-request fees from asset owners but does not say who pays them.
WHAT TO ASK · Ask whether you pay per project, per mile or foot, per seat or per request, and which third-party fees are passed through.

Bring to the demo

One project area or alignment where utilities are already known: an SUE report, potholes or test pits to check results against.
The ASCE 38 quality levels or utility deliverable spec your owner or DOT requires, if any.
For sewer work: a batch of CCTV footage already coded by a NASSCO-certified reviewer.
For tunnelling: one recent ground-condition record and how it was reported to the owner.
The names of your CAD, GIS, geology and asset management tools.

Sources

Exodigo https://www.exodigo.com
CivilGrid https://www.civilgrid.com
GroundedAI https://groundedai.com
SewerAI https://www.sewerai.com
SewerAI pricing https://www.sewerai.com/pricing
ITpipes https://itpipes.com

Tools mentioned (alphabetical, not ranked)

CivilGrid · Utility & site records data platform
Exodigo · AI subsurface & utility mapping
GroundedAI · Underground mapping & decisions (tunnelling, mining)
ITpipes · Pipe inspection software & AI defect coding
SewerAI · AI sewer inspection coding & capital planning

Side-by-side comparisons

Means & Methods Lab has no commercial relationship with any vendor on this page. Rankings and placement are never for sale. See how we make money.