Excavator

Why Use CBYD

The most important first step — always contact CBYD before work begins so underground utilities are located and marked. Smart, safe digging is no accident.

Professional excavators can make dangerous assumptions about the need to have utility lines marked before excavation begins. Don’t risk it — it’s the law to contact CBYD first.

Call Before You Dig, Inc. (CBYD) is a state-regulated nonprofit organization overseen by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA).

CBYD operates a statewide one-call system allowing excavators to notify all underground facility owners before work starts.

Timing: Locate requests must be submitted at least two full working days and no more than 30 days before excavation begins.

Before any excavation, you must:

  1. Contact CBYD — it’s the law.
  2. Submit requests within the required window.
  3. Request locates for all locations.
  4. Call even for shallow or mechanized excavation.
  5. Never rely on old markings.
  6. Pre-mark excavation areas in white.
  7. Ensure your ticket is valid and unexpired.
  8. Submit emergency tickets when danger exists.
  9. Notify utilities directly during emergencies.
  10. Protect people, property, and infrastructure.

Good practice tips

  • Confirm all utilities have responded.
  • Hand-dig within tolerance zones.
  • Refresh tickets if work extends beyond 30 days.