When homeowners plan a fence, they think about style, height, materials, and price. Very few think about what is buried under the ground where the posts will go. Yet every fence needs holes in the ground, and in most yards, gas lines, electric cables, water and sewer pipes, and communication lines are running underneath. Hitting one can be dangerous, expensive, and disruptive to your whole neighborhood.
The solution is simple, free, and quick: call 811 before you dig. This guide explains what 811 is, what Florida requires, what can happen if you skip it, how the process works, and what to watch for on the Gulf Coast.
What Is 811 and Why It Exists
Understanding the National Call-Before-You-Dig System
811 is the national “call before you dig” number. It connects you to a one-call center that notifies the utility companies in your area that you plan to dig. In Florida, that service is Sunshine 811. The utility owners then send locators to mark the approximate location of their underground lines with paint or flags. The service is free to homeowners and contractors, and you can request it by phone or online. Marking is not instant, so you need to plan ahead.How 811 Protects Your Fence Installation Project
Calling 811 protects several things at once. It protects you and the crew from injury, since striking a gas or electric line can cause serious harm. It protects the utility service that your home and your neighbors rely on. And it protects your project from costly interruptions, because a damaged line can stop work for days. Utility lines are buried at different depths, and some are much closer to the surface than people expect, which is why you can never guess where they are. A fence post hole is exactly the kind of digging that can reach them.The Florida Legal Requirements for Calling 811
State Law and Local Code Compliance
Florida law requires anyone who plans to disturb the ground to notify the one-call center first, and that applies to homeowners as well as contractors, with limited exceptions. Florida’s underground facility damage prevention law is in Chapter 556 of the Florida Statutes, and you can read it or ask an attorney if you have questions about your situation. Under the process, you contact Sunshine 811 at least two business days, but not more than five business days, before you plan to dig. Local codes may add their own requirements. A professional fence contractor will make the call as part of the job, but it is always worth confirming that it has been done.Permit Requirements and Inspections
Some permit offices and inspectors want to see proof that locates were requested before work begins, and some HOAs ask for the same. Keep your ticket number and any confirmation, and keep it with your permit paperwork. If an inspector or neighbor asks, you can show that you did what was required. Check with your local building department to see what applies in your city or county.What Happens When You Don’t Call 811
Consequences of Striking Utility Lines
The risks of hitting a buried line are serious. A strike on an electric line can cause severe injury or death. A damaged gas line can lead to leaks, fires, or explosions. Hitting a water or sewer line can flood your yard and send contamination into the ground, and cutting a communications line can knock out phone, internet, or television for your whole area. In many cases, the person who caused the damage is responsible for the repair costs, which can be very high, and may face fines or legal action. Even small strikes can mean big bills.Project Delays and Insurance Complications
After a strike, work stops. The utility has to respond, make the area safe, and repair the line, and the fence project waits. You may also face questions from your insurance provider about whether the required steps were taken. Coverage for damage you cause can depend on your policy and the circumstances, so ask your insurer what applies to you. Skipping one free phone call is never worth the risk.The Simple Process of Calling 811
Step-by-Step Instructions for Fort Walton Beach Area Homeowners
The process is quick:- Plan your fence line. Decide where the fence and gate posts will go, and mark the area with white paint or flags so locators know where you will dig.
- Contact Sunshine 811. Dial 811, or visit Sunshine811.com to submit a request online. Have your address, the nearest cross street, the area you will dig, and the type of work ready.
- Get your ticket number. Keep the confirmation and ticket number for your records.
- Wait for the markings. The utility companies mark their lines with colored paint or flags. Different colors stand for different types of utilities, such as red for electric, yellow for gas, blue for water, and orange for communications.
- Dig carefully. Stay clear of the marks, and use hand tools when digging close to a marked line. Do not use a power auger directly over a marked line. If you hit or expose a line, stop and contact the utility.