The Dos and Don’ts of Calling the 811 Digger’s Hotline

Digging looks harmless until it isn’t. One minute you’re planting a tree. Next, you’re starring in a neighborhood blackout, a flooded yard, or a cable outage that turns your streaming night into interpretive silence.

That’s why 811 exists: it connects you to your local one-call center so they can mark buried utility lines before you break ground. In this guide, we’ll break down the dos and don’ts you should know about calling the 811 digger’s hotline.

Do call before any project that breaks ground

Treat 811 like a seat belt: it matters most on the short trips you assume are “fine.” Homeowners and pros should contact 811 before any digging, even if the hole feels small or the job feels quick. If you want one phrase to remember, make it call before you dig. It’s not just a slogan; it’s how you reduce the odds of an expensive, dangerous surprise.

Do describe the work area clearly and on purpose

When you call (or submit a ticket online through your state’s 811 center), be ready to explain where you plan to dig and what you’re doing. The locator’s job gets harder when you’re vague and indeterminate about the dig site. Clear directions help them mark the approximate location of underground utilities with paint or flags so you can dig more safely.

Do wait for markings and respect what “approximate” means

811 doesn’t instantly dispatch a locator like a pizza delivery. You place a request, utility owners (or their contracted locators) mark lines, and then you dig with care. Many states also set notice windows in law or regulation, so last-minute calls can create last-minute delays.

Also, markings indicate approximate locations, not a treasure map to the exact inch. Give yourself margin, slow down near marks, and treat the painted lines like they’re trying to save you from future regret.

Don’t assume 811 marks everything on your property

Now that we’ve covered some of the dos of calling the 811 digger’s hotline, what about the don’ts? In many areas, 811 helps locate and mark public utility lines, but it may not cover privately owned lines that are fully on your property, like some service lines running to outbuildings, yard lighting, irrigation, or other private connections. If you’re unsure what’s included, familiarize yourself with what utilities 811 locates, and which ones they don’t, and how that may apply to your dig site.

Don’t treat an old locate as a forever locate

A past ticket doesn’t automatically protect a new project. Conditions change, projects expand, and markings fade. If you’re digging again, request a new locate rather than guessing using last season’s paint that’s now “vaguely orange, maybe.”

Understand 811 and How It Protects You

Many of us have probably heard about 811, but until we need to actually dig on a property, many of us don’t fully understand it. Remember that you should always call before you dig, but also don’t assume 811 will mark everything below the surface. For certain jobs, you may also need to contact a private utility locator to determine everything that’s beneath the surface.