PSA: Check your local utility marking laws before you dig, seriously

I was reading through the state contractor board website last night and found out the fine for hitting an unmarked line in my county is $10,000 minimum, not the $1,500 I always thought. That's a life-changing amount of money for a simple mistake. Has anyone else had a close call with this or gotten hit with a penalty?

4 comments

4 Comments

thomas4411mo ago

So the 811 call gets you off the hook for the fine, but what happens if their marks are wrong and you still hit something? Are you still covered, or does that become your problem?

robinp891mo ago

Yeah, that $10k fine is no joke. I just call 811 every single time now, even for small jobs, because it's free and covers you.

nancy_wood1mo ago

How deep were you digging when you called, @robinp89?

the_emma3d ago

Wait, @robinp89, isn't 811 actually required by law, not just a good idea?