Note that this is a free service. If you are in the US, call 811. [2] X Research source This will connect you with the Nationwide Dig line, which can connect you with a local team. They will give you a work ticket reference number and let you know when you can expect the inspection to take place. You’ll need to mark the area where you plan to dig with white paint. If you’re looking for the right number to call, you can search online: “dig hole” and your city or municipality. The proper authority should come up in the first or second listing.
Note that this is a free service. If you are in the US, call 811. [2] X Research source This will connect you with the Nationwide Dig line, which can connect you with a local team. They will give you a work ticket reference number and let you know when you can expect the inspection to take place. You’ll need to mark the area where you plan to dig with white paint. If you’re looking for the right number to call, you can search online: “dig hole” and your city or municipality. The proper authority should come up in the first or second listing.
If you’re digging post holes, you should run a straight string along the area you’d like to see fenced and spray markers or drive marker stakes into the ground at consistent intervals across the line. [4] X Research source
A shovel and mattock are good for regular holes. Get your hands on a posthole digger if you need to make holes for a new fence. You should also consider how you’re going to deal with the displaced soil. If you’re putting the soil back in the hole once you’ve dug it up, you can shovel it back. Putting a tarp next to the hole will give you a clean place to place soil. Use a wheelbarrow to dispose of larger amounts of soil. If you plan on setting a post in concrete, have the mix, water, and mixer nearby. You’ll also want two stakes of wood and two lengths of wood (1"x4"x5’ or so) for cross-bracing and screws or Duplex nails for fastening.
Power augers are used much like a lawnmower. It is a better idea to rent one than buy one yourself. Depending on the inventory of your local hardware store, you should probably have a choice between a one or two-man power auger. Base your decisions around the size and amount of holes you need to make. Talk to someone at the hardware store if you’re unsure about the details. If you have to dig many holes (like for a fence), a two-person auger is your best pet. Augers can be extremely difficult for one person to handle and can even be dangerous if you are not familiar with the equipment. Rocky and heavy clay ground can be difficult to dig, even with a gas-powered auger. Get a good digging rock bar and post-hole diggers to help with this type of soil. Follow all safety guidelines when operating any machine. Avoid loose-fitting clothing and wear leather boots and eye and ear protection when operating.
Frozen soil is very difficult to work with, so it’s best to dig in months without extreme weather.
A good steel digging bar with a point in one end and flat or pry point on other end works well also. Especially if you must dig deeper than 6" to 8", which a Mattock cannot do. If you don’t have a mattock, using a spade to tear up the sod will suffice as well.
Wear heavy boots when shoveling dirt. Step firmly and straight down on the shovel. Rock and wiggle the shovel side to side and forward to back to loosen the dirt and help the shovel go in. As with depth, it is better to err on a the side of a hole being too big than too small.
Keep in mind that you may be charged a fee for disposing of your soil in a landfill.
