Clear and Concise Verbal Pre-Mark of Your Project

A verbal or written pre-mark is adequate when the scope requested is narrow and explicit enough to prevent marking beyond the actual excavation or demolition area.

Tips for Providing a Clear Verbal Pre-Marking Description

Give the distance and directionality of the proposed excavation area; if that cannot be provided, then the proposed excavation area shall be physically pre-marked using white paint, flags, chalk, lath or whiskers
Make your work extent clear and descriptive enough to prevent marking beyond the actual area of excavation
The underground locate personnel with the member utility company should be able to read the information on the ticket and locate their facility without additional contact with the excavator for clarification
The use of “locate entire property” or a non-descript right of way path provide a vague extent and creates large amounts of unnecessary locating making it an unreasonable business practice
If your extent is too vague, a member utility company may contact you for clarification which could cause potential delays in having your proposed excavation area marked.

Clear Verbal Pre-Marking Descriptions

Appropriate Verbal Pre-Marking Description: Locate a 10-foot radius around the existing power pole in the northeast corner of Elm Road and Main Street intersection.

Vague Verbal Pre-Marking Description: Locate the entire intersection of Elm Road and Main Street.

Appropriate Verbal Pre-Marking Description: Locate a 15-foot radius around the existing stump on the east half of the front yard at the above address.

Vague Verbal Pre-Marking Description: Locate the entire property.