there is a way, use a stud finder that has AC locate. all employees here have one and know how to use it. it would be reckless to cut a hole without doing a survey and checking above ceiling and/or basement stud space for wires and/or pipes.
Yes I've tried one of those stud finders before and it doesn't work very well at all. It's possible they could have much better ones but the $50 one I've tried is pretty much worthless.
