Homeowners planning spring digging projects are being warned that failing to call 811 first can lead to an average utility repair cost of $3,500, as utility companies and state officials promote National Safe Digging Month this April.

The simple, free, and legally required phone call to 811 connects homeowners and contractors with local utility companies, which then send professionals to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags or paint. This step is critical for preventing damage that can cause dangerous service outages, lead to serious injury, and result in significant financial liability for the property owner. Data shows that in 89 percent of incidents where a homeowner damaged an underground utility line, a call to 811 was not made beforehand, highlighting a direct link between the oversight and the costly consequence.

What We Know So Far

  • The average cost to repair a single damaged underground utility line is $3,500, according to data from utility providers.
  • In a vast majority of cases—89 percent—where a homeowner caused damage to a buried line, they had not called 811 before starting their project, based on incident reports from PG&E.
  • Calling 811 is a free service that is required by law in all 50 states. Homeowners must make the call a minimum of two full business days before beginning any excavation.
  • April is National Safe Digging Month, a designation supported by officials like Colorado Governor Jared Polis to raise awareness of safe excavation practices.
  • Many essential utility lines, including natural gas and electricity, can be buried just a few inches beneath the ground due to erosion or previous landscaping work, making them vulnerable to strikes from even simple hand tools.

Why is Calling 811 Critical for Spring Digging?

Warmer weather prompts outdoor projects—planting trees, building fences, installing new mailboxes—significantly increasing the risk of striking buried utility lines. The national 811 "Call Before You Dig" system offers a simple, effective safeguard. Calling 811 before spring digging projects provides crucial knowledge of what lies beneath your property, ensuring both safety and financial protection.