In the UK there are companies who will do a full mapping utilities search for you for a few hundred quid.
You could do the labour yourself by contacting local companies who may have infrastructure in the area, some of them may choose to charge you for the service but others might be free. In the UK, for instance all communications companies will respond to you if you let them know you are digging in the local area. Natural Gas lines also provide maps free, but the water and the drainage people will give you a nominal charge for carrying out the search. Do a bit of research in to the local suppliers / operators and contact them directly, they should have a local infrastructure records department.
Thoughts on what we would look for in the UK:
Natural Gas operators
Below Ground Drainage
Mains Water
Electrical / Power Distribution
Communications Companies (this has always been a bit more unregulated in the UK, so there are potentially lots of people to contact)
Historic mining in the area? Coal miners, tin miners, etc? Depends on where you are, but if there have been operations, bear it in mind.
Also if you do get all the maps and you can't see anything, it is no guarantee that the ground is clear, particularly if you are in a built-up area. Also if you do come across some service, please assume it's live, whether it's on a drawing or not.
Also: Underground tanks and unexploded ordnance are another good one, of which only direct surveying can pick up (pay someone a couple of grand to do a radar survey, if you are really keen).