About Dig811Guide
An independent homeowner resource dedicated to explaining the 811 Call Before You Dig process clearly, accurately, and without the bureaucratic language that makes official sources so hard to use.
What This Site Is
Dig811Guide is an independent informational website. It is not affiliated with 811.com, the Common Ground Alliance, any state one-call center, or any utility company. We have no financial relationship with any utility, contractor, or locate service.
Our goal is simple: help homeowners and DIYers understand exactly what they need to do before digging on their property — and avoid the expensive, dangerous mistakes that happen when people skip or misunderstand the 811 process.
Why We Built This
The official 811 resources — state one-call center websites, 811.com, utility company guidance pages — are frequently difficult to navigate, written in regulatory language, and don't explain the practical realities homeowners face: what to do about private lines, how to handle a ticket that expires mid-project, what the paint colors actually mean in plain English, and what happens if you hit something.
We built the resource we wished existed the first time we had to deal with an 811 ticket and a yard full of colored flags we didn't fully understand.
Editorial Standards
Every page on this site is written to provide genuinely useful, accurate information. We do not pad content, repeat ourselves, or optimize for word count over quality. When we're uncertain about a specific state rule, we say so and direct readers to their state's one-call center for verification.
Our data on state wait times, validity windows, and one-call centers is researched from publicly available state statutes and one-call center documentation, updated as changes occur.
Advertising
This site is supported by Google AdSense display advertising. We have no affiliate relationships, no sponsored content, and no paid placements. Advertisers have no influence over our editorial content.
What This Site Is Not
- Not a substitute for contacting your state's one-call center
- Not legal, engineering, or professional safety advice
- Not affiliated with any utility company or locate service
- Not a ticket submission platform (we link to official portals)