HOME PRO’SHomeowner guide
Before outdoor work: access, scope and Pennsylvania 811
Prepare for fencing, decks, landscaping and other outdoor work with questions about access, buried utilities and Pennsylvania One Call coordination.
Planning checklist
Define the work area
Describe where the proposed deck, fence, landscape feature or other work would go. Note gates, access routes, nearby structures and any known underground equipment. Do not rely on memory or a guessed line location when planning excavation.
Planning checklist
Ask the excavator about One Call
Pennsylvania One Call provides underground facility notification before digging. When a contractor is doing the work, ask about the contractor’s One Call coordination and serial number. Follow the current official instructions for the project and timing rather than treating a website checklist as clearance to dig.
Planning checklist
Discuss privately owned lines
Tell the contractor about known private lines or installations, such as power to a detached building, irrigation or other owner-installed services. Ask how these will be addressed. A utility marking request is not a substitute for identifying all site-specific concerns.
Planning checklist
Separate access, approvals and restoration
Ask whether the scope includes material access, removal, grading, cleanup and restoration of disturbed surfaces. Check applicable property-line, association, zoning and permit requirements with the relevant authority before agreeing the final layout.
Planning checklist
Confirm the requested service
Helios lists multiple exterior and construction services, but availability depends on the requested work and location. Provide the municipality and ZIP code, a description of the area and your preferred timing. Confirm the final scope before scheduling.
Official resources