Imagine this.
It’s a beautiful morning, and you’re about to transform your backyard with a brand-new fence.
You’ve carefully chosen the style, measured the boundaries, and scheduled your installation with a professional crew.
The work begins, and everything is going smoothly—until suddenly, it’s not.
A sharp hiss fills the air, and within moments, the crew is backing away.
The unmistakable smell of gas seeps into the atmosphere, and just like that, your fence project comes to a screeching halt.
Now, instead of planning your next backyard gathering, you’re watching emergency responders arrive, assessing the damage, and wondering, who’s responsible for this mess?
The 411 on OKIE811
This scenario isn’t just a homeowner’s worst nightmare—it’s a reality that happens more often than you might think.
Many people assume that when a contractor calls OKIE811 before digging, all underground utilities are accounted for.
What they don’t realize is that OKIE811 only marks public utility lines.
Anything beyond that—the irrigation systems, the gas lines running from a meter to the home, the electrical lines feeding an outdoor shed—those are private utilities, and those are the homeowner’s responsibility to locate.
The problem isn’t just the inconvenience.
A damaged utility line can lead to costly repairs, service disruptions, and in the worst-case scenario, serious safety hazards.
As a homeowner, it’s critical to understand exactly what you need to do to protect your property, your family, and your investment before any digging begins.
Public vs. Private Utilities
When it comes to underground utilities, many homeowners assume that everything is managed by the city or local utility company.
But that’s only part of the equation. Public utilities—such as water, sewer, gas, and electric—are maintained by utility providers and are typically found in public easements or along roadways.
These are the lines that OKIE811 marks when a request is made before digging.
However, once those utilities cross onto private property, the responsibility shifts.
Private utility lines, such as the gas lines running from a meter to a home, the power supplying an outdoor building, or an underground irrigation system, are not marked by OKIE811.
This means that if these lines are struck during excavation, the homeowner is responsible for the repairs and any resulting damage.
The confusion often arises from the location of a home’s utility meter.
Many homeowners assume that if a gas meter or electrical box is near the front of their property, all lines leading to the home are public.
But in reality, if the meter is positioned at the edge of the property, the utility line running from the meter to the house is private, and OKIE811 will not mark it.
This distinction is crucial to understand before breaking ground on any project.
Shared Responsibility: Your Role in Locating Private Utilities
At Empire Fence, we take every precaution to ensure that our work is done safely and in compliance with Oklahoma regulations.
Before we dig, we submit a request to OKIE811 to have all public utilities marked.
Our crews also conduct a pre-installation site walk to assess any visible concerns and take extra precautions when working near marked utilities.
If a utility line is identified, we take care to dig carefully and avoid unnecessary risks.
However, our responsibility stops at public utilities.
We do not mark or locate private utility lines, nor are we liable for damage to unmarked private utilities.
That means it is up to the homeowner to take additional steps to ensure all underground lines are properly identified.
If you have a sprinkler system, a septic tank, a gas line running from your meter to your home, or electrical wiring to a detached structure, you need to hire a private utility locating service before any digging begins.
Unlike OKIE811, private locators specialize in identifying underground lines that are solely the homeowner’s responsibility.
Failing to do this could result in service outages, costly repairs, or even dangerous situations like gas leaks or electrical hazards.
How to Hire a Private Utility Locator
Taking the right steps before your fence installation begins can prevent unexpected damage and headaches down the road.
The first and most important action you can take is to hire a private utility locating service.
OKIE811 will mark public lines, but private locators will go a step further by identifying gas, electric, water, and irrigation lines that belong to the homeowner.
This is especially crucial if your meter is located at the edge of your property, as it indicates that the utility lines leading to your home are private and will not be marked by OKIE811.
To find a private utility locator, you can perform a Google search like “utility locator near me” or check for homeowner resource on the OKIE811 website.
(NOTE: Empire Fence does not make any recommendations for specific locators.)
Once all utilities—both public and private—have been accounted for, the next step is to inform your Empire Fence project manager about any underground lines they need to be aware of.
If you have documentation or maps showing utility placements, provide that information before work begins.
If you have an irrigation system, mark sprinkler heads and lines to help crews avoid accidental damage.
Preparing your property is also essential for a smooth installation.
Clear the fence line of any obstructions, including vegetation, decorations, and tree limbs.
If your fence is shared with a neighbor, communicate with them in advance about the project timeline and any expected disruptions.
By taking these steps, you can help ensure a safe, efficient, and damage-free fence installation.
What Happens if a Utility Line is Hit?
Even with careful planning, accidents can happen.
If a gas line is struck during installation, stop all work immediately and move away from the area.
Do not use cell phones, lighters, or anything that could ignite a spark.
Call 911 and the gas company right away to report the leak.
If an electrical or water line is hit, cease all activity and notify the appropriate utility provider.
Avoid touching exposed wires or standing water near a damaged line, as it could pose a risk of electrocution.
For minor damages—such as a sprinkler or irrigation line—our crews may be able to assist with small repairs.
However, more extensive damage will require the homeowner to contact a landscaping or irrigation specialist.
This is another reason why locating and marking all private utilities beforehand is so important—it can prevent unnecessary delays and unexpected repair costs.
Final Thoughts: Safe Digging is a Shared Responsibility
At Empire Fence, we are committed to delivering a safe, high-quality installation while following all required regulations.
But utility safety is not just our job—it’s a team effort.
Before any digging begins, homeowners must take the necessary steps to locate private utilities.
This means hiring a private utility locating service, communicating with the project manager about underground lines, and ensuring the site is properly prepared.
Neglecting these steps could lead to significant liability, costly damages, and in some cases, dangerous situations that put both property and lives at risk.
A fence is meant to enhance your property, not create an expensive and stressful situation.
By being proactive, staying informed, and working together, we can ensure your fence installation is safe, smooth, and free of costly surprises.
If you’re planning a fencing project, don’t wait until it’s too late to think about what’s underground.
Contact us today to discuss your installation, and let’s make sure your project starts—and finishes—on solid ground.
Contact Empire Fence
As a regional Oklahoma leader in fence design and modern fence installation, Empire Fence of Tulsa is here to help… by providing professional service at an affordable price. We’ll be glad to help you a detailed proposal that includes a wide range of fence cost and material specs. Contact Empire to get a quote for your next fence ›
