Frequently asked questions

•  What is a locate request?

When you’re planning to do any kind of excavation, it’s important that you know what kind of underground network is present in your work zone.  A locate request is the simplest way to identify these networks: our member companies* send a locator on site to identify the network by means of paint piquet or flags. 

• How to place a locate request?

You can do this by three methods: on line, by telephone or by fax. Please note that all emergency locate request must be, without exception be placed by telephone (water line break, gas leak, imminent foundation collapse, landslide, broken pole, re-establishing essential services)

• Is it mandatory to place a locate request?

Even if it’s not mandatory to place a locate request, we strongly recommend that you make use of our services. Info- Excavation is the only organisation to offer this service entirely for free in the province of Quebec. So you can dig in all security, a few simple minutes is all you need to place a locate request and avoid any unwanted surprises The cost of repairing damages network can be quite high, digging without the proper precautions can be dangerous for you and the environment. The responsibility is yours.

• Do we have to pay for a locate request?

No. Every locate requests are free. The service in financed by our member companies* in order to protect their underground network, prevent potential damage and avoid any accident while excavating.

• How long is the delay in getting all my answers?

You have to expect an average of 3 business days before the planning to start any kind of work (landscaping, fence or pool installation, tree planting etc…). But, if you’re calling for an emergency locate (water line break, gas leak, imminent foundation collapse, landslide, broken pole, re-establishing essential services), the delay could be a short as a few hours, depending on what time your team will be on site.

• What do I do in case of an emergency?

If your doing emergency type of work such as a water line break, gas leak, imminent foundation collapse, landslide, broken pole, re-establishing essential services, please call us immediately at 514-286-9228 or 1-800-663-9228. (Please take note that planned work such as landscaping, fence or pool installation, tree planting etc…are not considered as emergency type of work

• Do I have to call the companies myself?

No. We’ll notify the member companies. These companies will go and locate their underground network in an average of 3 business days. (Please note that you have to directly contact any company you suspect has underground installations who are not members of Info- Excavation)

• What do I do if I don’t receive an answer from a company in the proper delay?

Please call us at 514-286-9228 or 1-800-663-9228 so we can follow up and guide you towards the proper department of the particular member.

• I placed a request in the past and I have to re-do the work, is my request still valid?

No. A locate request is only valid for 30 days. After that you must renew it, either on line or by phone.

• If I’m conscious of what kind of network I have on my property, why should I place a locate request?

It is possible that the network belonging to the member companies has been modified, either by adding network or disaffecting network without you knowing it. A simple request will permit you to know more. Placing a locate request, totally free, will avoid any unwanted surprises while doing your work. The responsibility is yours.

• If I dig without placing a locate request, what will happen?

This could be potentially dangerous for you, your neighbourhood and for the network in the immediate area. Know that when you are digging, even if on your on property, you could be held responsible for any damages incurred while doing the work. To avid any accident or costly repairs of any kind, place a free locate request.

• If network is marked on my property and I hit network who’s responsible?

Please know that at all times you or the excavator could be responsible for work done on your property. However, if you do have an active locate requests that was properly formulated and that you’ve respected all the guidelines indicated by the member companies you wont be responsible if of any damages in the network was not or erroneously identified. You valid request will be your proof.

• I’m doing work inside a building or residence; can you locate this type of network?
  

Info- Excavation does not offer this service. To know more, please call us at 514-286-9228 or at 1-800-663-9228. We will refer you to a company that, for a fee, will be able to provide this service.

• What is considered a private cable or network and how can this be identified?

Cable or network is considered private when the present or previous owner of the property has requested that it be buried. Info- Excavation does not offer a free service to locate this type of network. . To know more, please call us at 514-286-9228 or at 1-800-663-9228. We will refer you to a company that, for a fee, will be able to provide this service.

• I’m planning to do some work but I don’t have a specific date or the work depends on the type of network. What do I do?

You can place a request for plans and this for free, to identify potential network in your work site. You can place this request on-line, by telephone, or by fax. When your work or start date has been finalised, you must place a locate request in order to have the companies identify their network.

• There are paint marking, flags or piquet’s on my property indicating network but I haven’t placed any locate request. How can I find out who placed this request and why?

It’s possible that your municipality or a excavation company could be doing work in you sector. Even if the information is confidential, please remember that theses markings are temporary and being present on your property is very important in assuring your safety. We remind you that all public utilities have utility easement on the property and legally no one can dig on your property without you consent.

• I would like to locate network from a company who isn’t a member of Info- Excavation. What do I do?

In the event that this company isn’t a member of Info- Excavation, you have to understand we cannot directly refer you to them. Please contact your municipality to obtain more information.

• Why must I provide an intersection?

When you provide an intersection, you allow Info- Excavation t only notify the companies within the desired zone and since it’s information that’s mandatory you avoid unnecessary delays in the treatment of your request.

• Why is my request valid for only 30 days?

There’s several reason to explain this. First off, it’s possible that some of our member companies have proceeded in the installation of additional network in your original work zone. You’ll avoid unwanted surprises when you return to your work zone. Secondly, after a certain amount of time, the original paint markings wash away or the flags or pickets may have been moved or removed. You’ll avoid doing worked based on approximations.

• Why do I have to do one request by street segment?

By doing your request par street segment you save time. Actually you reduce the number of companies that will be notified and assure an increase of speed in getting all your responses.

• Why do I have to separate my requests by opposing street sides?

Once again, you reduce the number of companies that will be notified and assure an increase of speed in getting all your responses.

• Why do I have to provide a start date for my work?

By providing a start date to your work you assist the member companies in planning their locates. This will in turn reduce the wait time not only for you but all the other clients of Info- Excavation. As well this allows us to verify that you’ll be doing the work inside of 30 days.

• How come my request was placed on stand by?

There are several reasons why the request was placed on stand by but all these reasons have a common denominator, you’ve not provided mandatory information. The missing information that would instigate this action could be: the name of the person placing the request, the name of the municipality or work area, a civic address in the case the type of works asks for it ( pool, fence, patio…etc) the start date of your work, the closest intersection or a contact phone number. It’s also possible that the streets are in new developments and we can’t identify them on our maps, in this case we’ll place your request on stand by in the effort to get more information.

• I’m doing a very minor excavation; do I have to place a request?

We strongly recommend that you place a request before doing any kind of work. Certain cable could be as shallow as 2 inches in the ground. You can never bee too careful.

• I’m not doing any work, can I still place a locate request?

Unfortunately not.  But there is an option. You can place an engineering request and receive plans identifying the network belonging to the member companies in the sector.  Not however that if you do eventually decide to undertake some work, it’s strongly recommended that you place a locate request since only plans does not protect you legally in the case you do any work.

• Can I place a locate request or ask for plans on a property that’s not mine?

Since our mandate is to protect the underground network of our member companies we cannot place a request if you aren’t digging in the next 30 days. In this case you must deal with a company that specialises in locating network. As well you must have permission from the current owner before placing a request at Info- Excavation.

• Can I use someone else’s locate request?

No. For legal reasons concerning responsibly you cannot is a locate request that’s not in your name.