Utility Line Locating Before Driveway Work

Why Utility Line Locating Before Driveway Work Matters

Excited about a new asphalt driveway or widening your existing concrete pad? One call can save you thousands of dollars—and a massive headache. Utility line locating before driveway work is the step most homeowners skip, then regret. Hitting a gas main, fiber-optic cable, or sewer lateral can trigger emergency repairs, city fines, and project delays that dwarf the price of a proper locate.

In this guide you’ll learn exactly what utility locating is, how it’s done, who pays for it, and how to fold the process into your driveway timeline so your project stays on schedule and on budget.

What “Utility Line Locating” Actually Means

Locating is the process of identifying and marking underground pipes and cables so construction crews can dig safely. It combines public records, electromagnetic wands, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), and sometimes vacuum excavation to paint or flag lines on the ground.

Public vs. Private Utilities

Public lines run in the street or utility easement and are owned by the city or service provider. Private lines begin at the meter or property line and belong to you. 811 marks public lines only; anything past the meter—water service, gas BBQ line, pool conduit—is your responsibility to locate.

Typical Depths You’ll See in a Locate Report

• Electric secondary: 18–24 in.
• Gas main: 24–36 in.
• Water service: 36–48 in.
• Fiber-optic: 6–12 in. (often in conduit, but not always)
• Sewer lateral: 4–10 ft depending on street elevation

When to Call for Utility Line Locating Before Driveway Work

Any time you break soil deeper than a typical garden shovel—about 6 inches—you need a locate. Driveway projects that trigger the requirement:

• New driveway installation (asphalt, concrete, pavers)
• Driveway widening that extends into soil or grass
• Adding a turnaround or parking pad
• Installing trench drains, culverts, or heated driveway coils
• Removing and replacing an existing failed slab (excavation often goes 8–12 in. deep)

How Early Should You Call 811?

Most states require two business days’ notice, but schedule the locate at least five business days before your contractor arrives. That buffer gives locators time to return if markings fade and lets you hire a private locator for any missed lines.

Step-by-Step: The Homeowner’s Utility Locating Checklist

1. Sketch your project.
   Measure the new driveway perimeter and mark it with spray paint or stakes. Contractors need a visual to plan excavation.
2. Call 811 or submit online.
   Provide the exact address, nearest cross street, and type of work (“install 1,200 sq ft concrete driveway, 8-in. deep excavation”).
3. Wait for public locators.
   Each utility dispatches its own technician. You do not need to be home, but unlock gates and keep dogs inside.
4. Photograph the markings.
   Flags can blow away and paint can wash off. Snap date-stamped photos for your records.
5. Hire a private locator if needed.
   If public lines stop at the meter or you see unexplained buried objects on old plans, bring in a private scanning crew.
6. Hand paperwork to your driveway contractor.
   A reputable installer will walk the site with the locate report and adjust the dig plan before equipment arrives.

Private Utility Locating: The Overlooked Extra Layer

811 does not mark sprinkler lines, pool plumbing, landscape lighting, septic tanks, or the gas line to your outdoor kitchen. Those private utilities can still shut down a driveway project if nicked.

Signs You Need a Private Scan

• Property built before 1980 when record drawings are scarce
• Previous owners installed “extras” like yard lights or a basketball pole
• You see unexplained humps or depressions in the yard
• Your water meter sits at the street, but the line crosses under the proposed drive path at a 45° angle

Tools Private Locators Use

Electromagnetic wands trace metallic pipes. GPR maps non-metallic water or sewer laterals. Vacuum excavation (a soft-dig “sucker” truck) exposes the line without a shovel. Expect to pay $300–$800 for a typical residential scan—cheap insurance against a $5,000 emergency plumbing bill.

What Utility Locating Costs (and Who Pays)

Build the locating fee into your driveway quote up front. Most Drivewayz USA estimators itemize it so there are no surprises.

Common Homeowner Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

Mistake 1: “My Contractor Handles Everything”

Legally, the property owner is responsible for damages. Verify your contractor has a copy of the locate ticket before any machine digs.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Tolerance Zones

Most state laws require hand digging within 18–24 in. of either side of a marked line. A skid-steer can easily peel off conduit if the operator strays.

Mistake 3: Forgetting to Re-locate After 14–30 Days

Locate tickets expire. If your driveway project is delayed, refresh the ticket so markings remain valid and insurance coverage stays intact.

Working Safely Near Marked Lines

Hand Dig First

Expose the top of the pipe with a shovel or vacuum truck before bringing in heavy equipment. Once you confirm depth and alignment, you can switch to machines.

Use Mechanical Compaction Carefully

Gas and water lines can shift under plate-compactor vibration. Stay 24 in. away or use a jumping jack with lower impact force.

Keep a 24-Hour Emergency Number Handy

If you smell gas or see bubbling water, stop work, call 911, then the utility. Quick action limits liability and keeps everyone safe.

Local & State Regulations You Should Know

Rules vary by jurisdiction, but penalties for skipping a locate are universally steep. Examples:

• Texas: Up to $200,000 fine plus triple repair cost for damaging a gas line without a ticket.
• California: CPUC can levy $50,000 per day for utility strikes on state highways (includes driveway culverts).
• Florida: Homeowner must provide locate ticket to HOA; work cannot proceed without written confirmation.

Check your state 811 website for specific dig laws and tolerance zones.

Choosing a Driveway Contractor Who Respects Locates

Ask these questions before you sign:

• “Will you review the 811 ticket with me on site?”
• “Do you hand-dig within the tolerance zone?”
• “Can you provide proof of underground utility insurance?”
• “What is your protocol if we uncover an unmarked line?”

A professional crew will pause work, document the find, and call for a revised locate—no exceptions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Utility Line Locating Before Driveway Work