Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you want to know before you call Piedmont Locating Services
Got questions before you pick up the phone? Good. Here are the ones Jay hears most often — answered straight, no runaround. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, just call.
📞 Call or Text: (336) 391-5542
Where are you located, and how far will you travel?
Piedmont Locating Services is based in Ramseur, NC — roughly halfway between Asheboro and Siler City in the heart of Randolph County. Jay serves homeowners and contractors within approximately 60 to 75 miles of the office, covering much of the Piedmont region including Greensboro, Asheboro, Siler City, Archdale, Trinity, Randleman, Liberty, Franklinville, Burlington, and surrounding communities.
Who do you work for?
Piedmont Locating Services works for homeowners, contractors, plumbers, electricians, landscapers, builders, commercial property managers, and municipal clients. If you’ve got something buried and you need to find it before you dig, Jay can help — or he’ll tell you who can.
What do you charge?
Every property and project is different. Pricing depends on the type of site (residential vs. commercial), the complexity of the work, and the distance from the office. Residential jobs are generally priced lower than commercial work because they typically take less time and carry less liability.
Residential properties are defined as single-family homes on two acres or less. Larger estates, apartments, condominiums, and multi-family properties are billed at commercial rates.
For specific pricing, [request a quote →] — it’s the fastest way to get a number.
What are your payment terms?
Payment is due when services are delivered — no exceptions for new clients. Jay accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash. All card payments are processed securely through Square.
Personal checks and invoices are no longer accepted for new clients. Jay will never ask for payment before the work is done.
Are you insured?
Yes. Piedmont Locating Services carries general liability and workman’s compensation insurance. Certificates of insurance are available upon written request.
Important note for contractors: Certificate renewals are the holder’s responsibility. If your certificate expires, email Jay for an updated copy.
What are your qualifications?
Jay Hubbard started his career in 1992 locating utilities for contractors working with Southern Bell in Atlanta. After returning to North Carolina, he spent the next 18 years working for 811 contractors and civil engineering firms, locating and mapping underground utilities for highway construction projects across NC, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia.
He studied electronics at Forsyth Technical Community College and attended Western Carolina University. Piedmont Locating Services was established on November 1, 2010 — and Jay has been the only technician from day one.
Do I still need to call 811 if I hire you?
Yes. Always. No exceptions.
Calling 811 before you dig is required by law in North Carolina — and in every other state. Anyone who tells you otherwise is putting you, your crew, and your project at serious legal and financial risk.
When you call 811, utility companies send locators to mark their lines on your property. But 811 locators only mark lines owned by the utility companies — electric, gas, cable, phone — up to the meter or service connection point. Everything beyond that is privately owned and not their responsibility.
That’s where Jay comes in. Hiring Piedmont Locating Services does not replace your obligation to call 811. It covers the private lines 811 won’t touch.
Always call 811 at least three business days before you dig.
If 811 is free, why would I pay for a private locator?
Because 811 only covers part of what’s in the ground. Once a utility line passes through a meter or main connection point on your property, it’s privately owned — and 811 won’t mark it.
By some estimates, up to 65% of buried utilities in the United States are privately owned. That means your well line, septic system, buried electric to your shop, pool utilities, and propane lines aren’t covered by the free 811 service.
Not sure if you need Jay or if 811 will cover you? Call and ask. If you don’t need a private locator, Jay will tell you straight — and point you toward the right resource. Your safety matters more than the invoice.
How do you find underground utilities?
Jay uses two professional-grade technologies — electromagnetic locating (EM) and ground penetrating radar (GPR) — and most jobs call for both.
EM locating works by putting a signal on a buried conductor and tracing it. It’s fast and accurate for conductive utilities like electric, gas, and communication lines.
GPR sends a pulse into the ground and reads what bounces back. It’s the only tool that can find non-conductive utilities — plastic water lines, concrete pipes, septic tanks — that EM equipment can’t detect.
Soil conditions, moisture, rocks, and tree roots all affect how well each technology performs. Jay knows how to read the conditions and adjust his approach. [Learn more about how utility locating works →]
How long do locate markings last?
811 locate requests must be updated every 21 days to remain legally valid.
Jay’s marks are made with the highest-quality marking paint available and should last at least 15 days under normal conditions. Lawn mowing during growing season can shorten that. If you’re working on a long-term project that needs regular mark updates, let Jay know upfront and he’ll work out a schedule. Return visits to repaint faded marks are billed separately.
General Service Agreement & Terms of Service
The following outlines Piedmont Locating Services’ standard terms. By hiring PLS, all clients agree to these terms.
Piedmont Locating Services is committed to providing the most accurate utility locating service available. Jay uses state-of-the-art electromagnetic and radar technologies — but no locating method can guarantee 100% accuracy in every situation. Variables including soil type, moisture content, utility age and condition, and subsurface debris can affect results. Some utilities simply cannot be located without a shovel.
To get the best results, clients should provide:
- Any available site plans, as-built drawings, or utility maps
- An on-site contact who knows the property
- Full access to all mechanical rooms, utility buildings, and relevant areas
Liability limitations: PLS is not liable for damage to utilities that have no visible surface connection, are not shown on any provided documentation, or whose presence was not made known before or during the work.
PLS specializes in private utilities not owned by public providers. Jay assumes no liability for damage to utilities covered by Duke Energy, AT&T, Piedmont Natural Gas, or any other public utility provider protected by 811.
North Carolina law requires excavators to notify 811 three to twelve full working days before digging. Hiring Piedmont Locating Services does not fulfill this legal requirement.
📞 Questions about these terms? Call Jay: (336) 391-5542