Whether you’re a homeowner planting a tree or a contractor excavating a subdivision, you must call 811 before you dig. It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s the law.

Call before you dig

Notify your local one-call center by calling 811 or submitting an online request at least two days before you want to break ground. Your state-run service will contact all your utilities, including electric and gas, at no charge to you. We’ll then come out and mark the approximate location of our buried lines with color-coded paint or flags.

Steps to safe digging
 

1. Call 811 before you dig. This free service will notify all utilities in your area of your plans to dig. 

2. Review your state's One-Call laws for specific call, locate and dig requirements. 

3. Pre-mark the excavation area using white paint or flags. Within two business days, someone from each utility will arrive at your site to mark the approximate location of buried lines with paint or flags at no cost to you. 

4. Dig with care. Lines cannot be exactly pinpointed, and the depth can't be precisely determined. Please use extreme care when digging anywhere near the markings. 

5. Call to have the location remarked for free. If the original marks are disturbed or your project will be delayed by more than seven days, call to have remarked. Don't forget to call at least two full business days before work begins.

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