The short answer: If you are going to require a post to be installed or replaced, then the utility companies must be notified. Simply dial 811 to have the lines marked.
Should you request Anderson Mill Fence to take care of this service, we will do so at no additional charge, but realize that it will be a minimum of 2 days from the date the utility companies are notified before work can begin. If you need the work done quickly and are not sure who is going to be doing the work, but you know it will be done within two weeks, it would be in your best interest to call one of the call centers yourself.
Most utilities (electric, cable, phone, gas, water, & wastewater) in central Texas are buried. As a result, digging in developed areas such as a typical neighborhood runs the risk of encountering and damaging a buried utility. It should also be noted that non-utility items buried in your yard will NOT be marked. These include lawn irrigation systems (sprinkler systems), low voltage lighting wires (landscape lighting), invisible fences (for pets), and electrical services coming OUT of the house such as electricity running to a shed or gate opener. It is YOUR responsibility to notify us if any of these exist in your yard and where they are located as we won’t be held responsible for any damage to these items.
The explanation: The Texas damage prevention law (Utilities Code Title 5, Chapter 251) took effect October 1, 1998. This law requires most excavators intending to disturb soil at a depth of 16 inches or more to notify utility companies in the area a minimum of two working days before digging, but no more than 14 days prior to digging. Anyone digging to a depth of 16 inches or more is considered an excavator.
Failure to follow this law can result in fines as well as the excavator being responsible for all costs associated with the damage. It can also result in injury or death to the excavator as well as disruption to your and your neighbor’s utility service. One can easily argue that even though you aren’t doing the actual digging, you are responsible for all of part of the costs associated with the contractor you hired. It is in your best interest to have the utilities marked before any digging is done on your property, as a properly set post is going to require digging to a depth at which this law requires notification.
The law also creates a simple method to notify the utilities through the creation of these call centers or by simply dialing 811:
- Texas Excavation Safety System 1-800-344-8377
- One-Call Board of Texas 1-800-545-6005
- Lonestar Notification Center 1-800-669-8344
Notifying any one of these centers will serve as proper notification as they all share notification information. However, not all utilities that service your area may participate in the program and therefore will not be notified. The call center will notify you of the companies they are notifying before you dig. Any companies not participating will need to be notified directly.
