What Really Happens If You Don’t Call 811 Before Digging in Your Yard

Starting a yard renovation can be an exciting project, especially when you have a clear vision in mind for what you want to achieve. However, it's crucial to prioritize safety and responsibility before jumping in. One often-overlooked step before doing any digging is to call 811, a nationwide service that connects homeowners with their local utility companies.

Taking this simple action can help you avoid potential hazards and costly mistakes. Whether you're adding a deck or removing a tree, it's essential to contact 811 before you start digging. Ahead, 811 professionals explain why calling this service is so important—and the potential consequences of skipping this step in the renovation process.

Why Do People Need to Call 811?

While you may want to rush straight into the task at hand, Lisa Powers, public relations director at Dig Safe, explains why a call to 811 is imperative. "Notifying the utilities before digging is a crucial step in preventing a serious accident on your own property," she says. Buried lines—like gas, electric, water, and communications—often run closer to the surface than people expect. "Hitting one of these lines can cause injuries, expensive repairs, and widespread disruption of utility service in your neighborhood." Powers highlights that contacting 811 ensures these lines are located and marked before you dig, protecting you, your property, and your community. "It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s the law in every state in the country," she adds.

What Projects Require a Call to 811?

While you don't need to contact 811 for minor tasks, such as sowing seeds and tending to your garden, any project that breaks the ground's surface, no matter how small, requires a call to this service, says Powers. That includes planting shrubs or trees, installing a fence or mailbox post, or digging for a patio, deck, or fire pit. "We’re even seeing utility mark-out requests for community projects like burying a time capsule on the town common, or installing little free libraries for folks to book-swap," she says. Whether you’re using a simple hand shovel or powered equipment, Powers advises that every digging project should begin with contacting 811.

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What Happens When You Don't Call 811?

Hopping into an excavator and starting the job without taking the proper steps can lead to significant damage and fines. "Any time you’re disturbing the surface of the earth, all states require obtaining a Dig Safe Ticket," says Jennifer Cabrera, program manager of the Damage Prevention Program for the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. "Regardless of whether it is on private or public property, regardless of how shallow you plan to dig, and whether you are an individual, company, utility, or municipality, all need to obtain a Dig Safe Ticket for safety reasons," she says.  

Failure to do so could result in the following:

• Injuries or fatalities
• Damage to utilities
• Fires or explosions
• Evacuations
• Property damage
• Environmental harm
• Repair costs
• State and federal penalties
• Tarnished reputation for businesses
• Service disruption for property and business owners
• No electricity or gas service, resulting in no heat or cooking at home or in restaurants
• A telecom outage could result in the loss of Internet access, disruptions to 911 services, issues with credit card authorizations, and interruptions to air traffic control
  

How to Contact 811

According to Powers, contacting 811 is more convenient than ever, as it can be done over the phone or online, depending on the location. "These days, 70 to 80 percent of all requests are submitted online, so our tagline has become 'Click or call 811,'" she says.

While each state has variations of individual state Dig Safe laws, especially regarding excavators, for any inquiries, such as questions, concerns, or training requests, Cabrera advises utilizing this email: [email protected]. "We also provide free translation service, whether it be while communicating through emails, phone calls, or for our trainings," she says.