Contact Alabama 811 before digging
Alabama 811 identifies fence posts among projects that need a locate request. Use its current instructions for notice, waiting and response requirements. A project conversation or painted fence layout is not a completed utility-location process.
Identify private services
Irrigation, private electrical runs and other owner-installed lines may need separate arrangements. Tell the installer what is known and ask who coordinates private locating. Do not assume a standard request identifies everything underground.
Keep the planned line clear
Changes to the proposed fence line can affect excavation planning. Communicate the actual work area and preserve relevant markings while following the locator’s instructions. If the conditions or markings are unclear, resolve that before excavation.
Assign responsibility in the scope
Agree on who submits requests, checks responses and handles scheduling changes. Unexpected underground conditions should have a documented change process. This guide provides planning questions, not instructions for excavating around utilities.
Primary reference: Alabama 811: before you dig. Reviewed September 30, 2026. Confirm current requirements for the property.