Planning a fence installation in Winnipeg or the surrounding Manitoba area? Before any post holes are dug, every underground utility on your property needs to be properly identified, and the responsibility isn’t always the contractors.
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that standard public utility locates don’t cover everything buried on their property. Understanding the difference between public and private utilities can prevent costly damage, project delays, and serious safety risks during your fence installation.
Fence installation conditions in Winnipeg and across Manitoba can vary depending on soil conditions, property age, and existing underground infrastructure – making proper utility identification an especially important first step. Utility locates are often required before excavation begins, and in many cases are a standard safety and compliance step before digging.
With decades of fence installation experience serving Winnipeg and Manitoba homeowners, Wallace + Wallace Fences has helped thousands of customers navigate this process safely and successfully.
Prefer video? Watch Kurtis Kremski, Residential Fence Construction Manager at Wallace + Wallace Fences, explain the difference between public and private utility locates and what homeowners need to do before installation begins.
Fence installation requires digging post holes across your property. If an underground utility line is struck during excavation, the consequences can range from service interruptions and expensive repairs to serious safety hazards.
Proper utility locates help ensure:
All underground utilities should be identified and clearly marked before any digging starts.
As part of every installation, Wallace + Wallace arranges official public utility locates before construction begins.
In Manitoba, public utility locates are coordinated through the appropriate utility providers prior to excavation, a required step before any digging takes place on residential or commercial properties.
These locates typically identify:
Once these utilities are located and marked, our installation crews can work safely around them.
One of the most common misconceptions among Winnipeg homeowners is that a public utility locate identifies every underground line on their property.
It doesn’t.
Public utility locates cover services running from the street to your home, they do not include privately installed underground utilities added after the home was built. If your property contains any privately installed underground services, they must be identified separately before installation begins.
Private utilities are often added after a home is built and may not be recorded with any public utility provider. They’re easy to forget, and easy to damage.
Many Winnipeg properties have underground electrical service running to a detached garage, workshop, or storage shed.
Electrical wiring serving hot tubs, pools, or other backyard features is commonly buried underground and not captured by public locates.
Underground irrigation lines can be damaged during excavation if they haven’t been identified beforehand, a costly and avoidable problem.
Low-voltage landscape lighting systems often include buried wiring throughout the yard that isn’t visible from the surface.
Any utility or service installed after the original construction of your home may require a private utility locate, including lines added by previous owners.
Wallace + Wallace arranges public utility locates before every installation. Homeowners are responsible for identifying and arranging locates for any private utilities on their property.
Because every Winnipeg and Manitoba property is different, it’s important to think carefully about any improvements or additions that may have introduced underground services over the years, including work done by previous owners.
If you’re unsure whether private utilities exist on your property, always investigate before installation begins. It’s a simple step that can prevent significant problems.
Private utilities that haven’t been properly located can be damaged during excavation.
Beyond the repair costs, this can result in:
Wallace + Wallace is not responsible for damage to private utilities that have not been properly identified prior to installation.
Yes.
If a private utility locate is required, Wallace + Wallace can coordinate the service on your behalf and include the cost as part of your project quote – no separate contractors to track down, no extra coordination on your end.
Our goal is to make every fence installation in Winnipeg and Manitoba as smooth and hassle-free as possible, while helping homeowners avoid unexpected issues before they arise.
Use this checklist to confirm your property is ready before installation day:
If you’re unsure about any item on this list, contact Wallace + Wallace before your installation date.
Wallace + Wallace has been installing residential, commercial, and specialty fencing across Manitoba for decades. Our team works with homeowners throughout the utility locate process to help ensure every project starts safely and on schedule.
Utility locates are one of the most important steps in any successful fence project, and getting them right from the start protects your property, your budget, and your timeline.
Explore our residential fencing options or request a quote to discuss your project and make sure everything is properly prepared before installation begins.