Private Utility Locators are companies that locate buried utilities on your property, i.e. after the meter to the house or establishment, usually required by construction companies in general, as well as residential when building: Swimming Pools, Perimeter Fences, Annexes, Planting Trees, or any other project that requires excavation.
One of the great benefits of Private Utility Locators, is that they indicate the depth of service at which the buried utility is located, which is vital information for decision-making in construction.
- 1.- When do you need a Private Utility Locator?
- 2.- Is the Private Utility Locator Service Free of Charge?
- 3.- What services do the Private Utility Locators offer?
- 4.- What is the response time to perform the service?
- 5.- What services are considered private?
- 6.- What is the difference between public and private location?
- 7.- In which states do you perform the service?
- What These Questions Really Mean for Contractors
- 8.- Conclusion
- 9.- Recomendations
- 10.- Bibliography Website
1.- When do you need a Private Utility Locator?
Anyone planning on digging should call a private utility locator to have any non-public utiity lines identify utility lines Not marked by 811.
This condition frequently exposes private utility lines not covered by public markings, creating significant financial and schedule risk.
In these scenarios, relying only on basic markings can leave critical underground utilities unidentified.
2.- Is the Private Utility Locator Service Free of Charge?
No. There will be a service fee for a private locate. The utilites are owned by you and its the owners responsibility to cover the cost to protect private undergound lines.
Do you plan to excavate on private property?
Excavating on private property often involves utilities that are not marked by 811, increasing the risk of costly damage and delays.
3.- What services do the Private Utility Locators offer?
They mark all utilities: Water, Power, Gas, Communication, Sewer, Hazard, using the paint color established by the 811 regulation. Private Utility Locators are also hired for emergency jobs or jobs that cannot wait for free 811 service.
In private utility locating services its main function is to avoid damaging a buried utility, our company will mark and deliver a report with photographic records and sketches of the utilities located, as well as indicating the depth of pipe or cable located on your property or job site.
Do you plan to excavate on private property?
Excavating on private property often involves utilities that are not marked by 811, increasing the risk of costly damage and delays.
4.- What is the response time to perform the service?
This condition frequently exposes private utility lines not covered by public markings, creating significant financial and schedule risk.
In these scenarios, relying only on basic markings can leave critical underground utilities unidentified.
5.- What services are considered private?
Private Utilities are the buried lines after the meter or main lines. If you have a curbside meter then your property will not get marked by the participating member utility locators. Other buried utilities that generally are not marked include but may not be limited to: sewer lines, private lighting, sprinklers, fire mains, secondary electric lines to detached garages, and septic lines.
Do you plan to excavate on private property?
Excavating on private property often involves utilities that are not marked by 811, increasing the risk of costly damage and delays.
6.- What is the difference between public and private location?
In general, the difference between public and private utility locating services is that public locating has to do with locating utilities in the public right of way while private locating has to do with locating utilities on private property.
This condition frequently exposes private utility lines not covered by public markings, creating significant financial and schedule risk.
In these scenarios, relying only on basic markings can leave critical underground utilities unidentified.
7.- In which states do you perform the service?
State: FL – GA – SC – NC – VA – TN – KY – IN – TX – USA Map
What These Questions Really Mean for Contractors
If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, relying only on standard utility markings may not be enough. Many underground utilities—especially on private property—are not identified through public locating systems. Private utility locating helps contractors reduce financial risk, avoid project delays, and demonstrate due diligence before excavation begins. At this stage, the decision is no longer just about compliance—it is about risk management and professional responsibility.
Reduce Risk Before You Dig — Schedule a Private Utility Locate
8.- Conclusion
Private Utility Locators are companies that complement the vital requirement of marking buried utilities, a common activity in construction in general. They use high technology equipment, trained and certified personnel to perform the activity. Their service has a cost that will depend on the size of the area to be scanned, and the services that the client requires to locate.
It is of high importance to locate private utilities prior to any excavation to avoid damaging a utility or interrupting service to your property or community. Avoid utility breakage repair costs, contact us, and we will make a scan of the area, where you plan to excavate.
Call us at (844) 756-2286
9.- Recomendations
- Do not excavate without first scanning the area.
- Request a Buried Utility Locator to mark the services.
- Plan at least 3 days in advance of the excavation, so that the private locator can make the marking.
- Require your builder to call a Locator before starting an excavation.
- Inform Locator the Purpose of Excavation.
10.- Bibliography Website
https://www.privateutilitylocating.com/
https://nc811.org/private-lines/
