Fence Installation

How to Prepare for a Fence Installation Without Hitting a Utility Line

Installing a fence can be an exciting upgrade to your Indianapolis home, but before digging begins, it’s important that all underground utilities are properly marked. At Amerifence, we’re your partner in making sure everything is in place before installation begins. Here’s what you need to know about marking public and private utilities and why you can’t skip this step.

The Difference Between Public Vs. Private Utilities

Before putting up a chain link, vinyl, aluminum, or cedar wood fence, there are things you can do to prepare your property. That includes considering what's going on below ground. That's because your property is hiding public and private utilities under the surface.

Public utilities are connections maintained by the city or utility companies. This includes electricity, water, gas, and sewer lines. At Amerifence, when we're planning a new fence installation, we take care of contacting 811 to request that all public utility lines be marked in your yard.

Private utilities are not marked by 811 and fall under the homeowner’s responsibility. These include anything added to your property by you or previous owners. This can be:

  • Underground sprinkler systems

  • Invisible pet fences

  • Sump pump discharge lines

  • Privately installed gas or electric lines

Consulting your property records can help ensure these lines are identified before digging begins.

Why Marking Utilities is Non-Negotiable

It can be easy to overlook marking your utilities when you’re eager to get started with a beautiful new fence. However, building a fence without this crucial step comes with serious risks:

  1. Safety First: Damaging an underground gas or electric line poses a life-threatening hazard. Striking an electric line can cause electrocution, while hitting a gas line risks a dangerous leak or explosion.

  2. Avoid Legal Troubles: Hitting a utility line can leave you liable for steep repair costs or legal fines. Indiana law requires utility marking before digging.

  3. Prevents Costly Damage: Accidentally cutting your sprinkler lines or damaging an invisible fence will add repair expenses to your fence installation project.

Your Partner in Professional Installation

Amerifence provides professional fence installation services in Indianapolis and surrounding areas, like Noblesville, Fishers, Westfield, and Carmel. Our experienced team will make sure the process is as smooth and stress-free as possible.

So, if you're ready for a new fence for your Indianapolis home, Amerifence is your partner from start to finish. Contact us at (317) 207-9499 or request a free quote online today!

freedomfences

Recent Posts

5 Pet Fence Features That Help Keep Dogs Safe Outdoors

At Amerifence, we build dog-safe yard enclosures with clear sightlines, secure gate hardware, and puppy-ready…

5 days ago

Why We Install TREX Decking: Durability and Sustainable Benefits

At Amerifence, we build capped composite decks with clean board layouts, concealed fasteners, and low-maintenance…

4 weeks ago

Safety Trends in Outdoor Railings: How to Protect Your Family

At Amerifence, we build deck guardrails with secure posts, smooth handrails, and material options for…

1 month ago

Fence Permit Requirements in Indianapolis and Marion County: What Homeowners Need to Know

At Amerifence, we map fence height, placement, and material details before we build in Indianapolis.…

2 months ago

How Much Does a Fence Cost in Indianapolis? A Breakdown

At Amerifence, we break down Indianapolis installed fence pricing for wood, vinyl, aluminum, and chain…

2 months ago

What to Expect From Amerifence When A Fencing Project Begins

Amerifence helps Indianapolis property owners plan fence layouts, materials, gates, and installation details with our…

3 months ago