Planning a home improvement job? Planting a tree? Installing a fence or deck? WAIT! Here's what you need to know first. Whether you are planning to do it yourself or hire a professional, smart digging means calling 811 before each job. Homeowners often make risky assumptions about whether or not they should get their utility lines marked, but every digging job requires a call – even small projects like planting trees and shrubs Call 811 at least three business days prior to digging, tell the operator where you're planning to dig, what type of work you will be doing and affected local utilities companies will be notified about your intent to dig. They'll send a locator to mark the approximate location of public underground lines, pipes and cables, so you'll know what's below - and be able to dig safely.