By Bennett's Concrete and Excavation, Norwich, NY. Updated October 2026.
Who to call
Dial 811. In New York there are two one-call centers: New York 811 covers New York City and Long Island, and UDIG NY covers the rest of the state, including Central New York.
When to call
Under the state's Code 753, you notify the one-call center at least two working days, and no more than 10 working days, before you dig. Weekends and legal holidays don't count.
Mark your dig area in white
Outline where you plan to dig with white paint or flags. That tells the locators exactly where to look.
Wait for the marks
Utilities mark their lines with colored paint, flags or stakes. Don't dig until it's done, and leave the marks in place until your work is finished.
The tolerance zone
The tolerance zone is half the facility's diameter plus 2 feet on either side of the marked centerline, or 2 feet on each side if the size isn't known. Inside it, use hand tools until you've exposed and confirmed the line.
On our jobs
On excavation and concrete jobs we do, we handle the one-call notice. If you're digging fence posts or a garden yourself, make the call.
