How to Schedule Underground Utility Locating Services?
Written for: Field Service Manager
Field Service Managers schedule underground utility locating services by first submitting a locate request to the regional one-call center (such as 811 in North America) at least 2-3 business days before excavation, which triggers notifications to all affected utility owners in the work area. The scheduling process requires providing precise excavation location details, project scope, expected start date, and duration of work through the one-call system, after which certified utility locators are dispatched to mark underground infrastructure with color-coded flags or paint according to APWA standards. Effective scheduling also involves coordinating with the field service management software to track locator arrival times, document marked utilities with GPS coordinates and photos, and maintain compliance with state-specific excavation laws that typically require locate marks to remain valid for 14-28 days depending on jurisdiction.
Fieldproxy: The Solution for Utility Locate Scheduling & Compliance Management
Fieldproxy's field service management platform streamlines underground utility locating operations with automated one-call integration, real-time locator tracking, mobile documentation with GPS-tagged photos, and intelligent compliance management that tracks validity periods and triggers remarking workflows. Our solution eliminates manual coordination, reduces compliance risks, and provides complete visibility into utility locating activities across all your excavation projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should submit locate requests to your regional one-call center at least 2-3 business days before planned excavation, though requirements vary by state (some require up to 10 business days advance notice). Best practice is to schedule locates as early as possible—ideally 1-2 weeks ahead—to account for potential delays, coordinate locator arrivals with project schedules, and allow time for remarking if initial marks are unclear. Field service management software can automatically calculate required advance notice based on jurisdiction-specific regulations and send alerts to ensure timely submission.
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