How does 811 Work?

What is 811?

811 is the free national before-you-dig service. Anyone who plans to dig should contact 811 or go to their state 811 center’s website before digging to request that the approximate location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags so that you don’t unintentionally dig into an underground utility line.

811 in your State
When do I contact 811?

You should contact 811 or use your state 811 center’s website a few business days before you begin any digging, including common projects like planting trees and shrubs or installing fences and mailboxes.

What info do I need before contacting 811?

You will need to know the address of where you plan to dig, including the county and nearest cross street, as well as the type of project you’re completing and the exact area on the property where you’re planning to dig.

After I contact 811, what do I do?

You need to wait a few days to allow utilities to respond to your request and ensure that all utilities have indeed responded to your request before breaking ground. Once all utilities have marked their buried lines, you should dig carefully around any utility marks and consider relocating projects that are close to buried utilities.

Before Every Dig, Every Time

Whether you're digging to plant a garden or start a commercial build, you must contact 811 a few days in advance to stay safe.

I Am a Home or Property Owner

I'm planning on digging to install a mailbox, plant trees, or install drain tile on my own property.

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I am a Professional

I've been hired to do utility work, general contracting, landscaping or fence installation on someone else's property.

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Every Dig. Every Time.

Discover key statistics on safe digging practices and how they help prevent damage to underground utilities and keep communities protected.

$30 Billion in damages annually.

Each year, damages to buried utilities cost the U.S. approximately $30 billion in repairs and societal impacts.

The #1 cause of utility damage.

Not contacting 811 before digging is the top driver of damages to buried utilities every year.

Shovels can harm utilities!

While backhoes are the #1 tool used when buried utilities are damaged, shovels are #2 -- even ``small`` projects can have big impacts.

Shallow digging is still digging!

Some utilities can be buried just inches below the surface -- every digging project, regardless of depth, requires contacting 811 a few days in advance.