Ohio law requires contractors and homeowners who have outdoor projects (that require digging) to call 8-1-1 at least 48 hours, but no more than 10 working days, (excluding weekends and legal holidays) before any digging project begins. This is the O.U.P.S. (Ohio Utilities Protection Service) hotline, it is used to notify ALL utility companies who have service on or near your property that they will need to mark their lines before digging can start. Not calling 8-1-1 before you dig can be costly if a line is damaged or cut, as you are then liable for the mistake.