What to Know About Calling 811 Before Utility Work Begins
811 is the national “Call Before You Dig” number. It connects you with local utility companies to mark underground power, gas, water, sewer, and communication lines before any excavation begins. This service is free and required by law, whether you’re digging for a large construction site or a small utility trench.
Failing to call 811 can cause serious injuries, service outages, and legal issues. Every directional drilling, boring, or trenching project must have utilities marked before the first machine hits the ground. Most states require at least two business days’ notice. Crigger Power follows these rules to keep jobs moving without delays or accidents.
We take the guesswork out of the process. On most projects, our team will handle the 811 request directly and verify that all lines are marked before we begin. If your project requires you to make the call, we’ll let you know upfront so nothing slows down the work. This keeps your crew safe, the site compliant, and the schedule on track.
Why 811 Matters for Underground Utility Construction
Ignoring 811 isn’t just a safety risk—it’s illegal. Crigger Power works on projects where buried utilities are everywhere, so calling 811 is a non-negotiable step. We use the markings to plan accurate bore paths, avoid hits, and reduce costs for our clients while also staying compliant with all local, state, and national laws.
What Happens When You Call 811
After the call is made, utility providers will visit the site and mark buried lines with paint or flags. Once marked, our team can drill or trench without hitting gas, electric, or fiber lines. This short delay prevents long, expensive setbacks.
Why We Take 811 Seriously
We’ve worked on sites where one unmarked line could shut down a $500K job. That’s why we never start without knowing what’s underground. Crigger Power is a field-first contractor that follows every step required by law and protects our clients.
Our crews know how to drill, bore, and trench around live utilities because we’ve done it in tight quarters, rocky soil, and live job sites. We make sure the right calls are made before we start, so we don’t have to stop mid-project. From cold storage to joint trench installs, we make sure that 811 is handled before work begins.
This isn’t paperwork. It’s the foundation of doing the job right.
811 Number FAQs
811 is the national “Call Before You Dig” number. It connects you with a local notification center that dispatches utility crews to mark buried lines on your property or jobsite. Calling 811 is legally required before excavation, trenching, or boring begins.
It prevents you from hitting underground gas, electric, water, sewer, or fiber lines. Striking any of these can cause serious injuries, utility outages, fines, or even lawsuits. Whether you’re working on a small lot or a large construction site, calling 811 first is part of doing the job right.
When you call 811, utility crews are dispatched to locate and mark buried lines with flags or paint. These markings usually cover:
- Communication Lines: Phone, fiber, or coaxial lines for telecom or internet
- Electric Lines: Buried power lines, including main feeds
- Oil & Gas: Natural gas or petroleum pipelines
- Sewer & Drainage: Wastewater and stormwater piping
- Water Supply: Domestic, irrigation, or industrial water lines
Every utility type is marked in a different color so crews can easily read the site at a glance.
You should call at least two to three business days before starting any work that involves digging. That includes trenching, boring, post setting, grading, or excavation. In some states, the law requires 72-hour notice.
Even small jobs like putting in a fence or planting trees count. Crigger Power handles the 811 call on most projects, but if it’s your responsibility, we’ll let you know upfront.
Failing to call 811 before digging can lead to:
- Injury or Death: Striking a gas or electric line puts lives at risk
- Fines & Legal Action: States can issue citations or lawsuits for violations
- Service Interruptions: Damaged lines can knock out power, water, or internet
- Project Delays: Repairs and investigations can stop work for days or weeks
- Costly Repairs: You’ll likely be responsible for any damage you cause
It’s not just a recommendation—it’s the law.
In most cases, yes. Our team takes care of the 811 request before we break ground. We verify all markings are complete and accurate before work starts. If the project requires the client to handle the call instead, we’ll provide clear steps and help you avoid delays or penalties.
We make sure the process is handled correctly so our crews stay safe and your project stays on schedule.
Start Your Auger & Boring Project
Need underground work done? We’ll handle the 811 process when we’re on the job, and tell you what needs to happen if it’s your call to make. Crigger Power is the team contractors count on to drill clean, finish fast, and work smart.