May 20, 2006 — If you’re looking for a way to gamble with your own and your workers’ safety while risking a job shut-down and a load of inconvenience, here’s a thought: Start punching holes in your customer’s yard for a foundation, sidewalk or other structure with a piece of equipment or hand tools and hope you don’t hit the water main, gas line, phone line, or other utility. Who knows? Maybe all that stuff comes in the other side of the house anyway.

And maybe it doesn’t.

The way to play it safe and truly be a pro is to call your local dig-safe number, usually linked to all your local utilities. Presently, they are different numbers throughout the country, but new legislation states that they’ll be consolidated under one number — 811 — by 2007.

Click below to read more on HGTVPro.

Mark
Mark is a licensed contractor, tool expert, wood and outdoor enthusiast, and elite Spartan Race competitor. He writes about home improvement and tools for national magazines and websites, and teaches hands-on clinics for other remodeling professionals. Check out his book, The Carpenter's Notebook.
Mark

Mark is a licensed contractor, tool expert, wood and outdoor enthusiast, and elite Spartan Race competitor. He writes about home improvement and tools for national magazines and websites, and teaches hands-on clinics for other remodeling professionals. Check out his book, The Carpenter's Notebook.

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