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:

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.
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.
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