Important Disclaimer
LocateGuard is NOT a substitute for professional utility locating services. You MUST call 811 before any excavation or ground-disturbing activity.
Last updated: March 30, 2026
Not a Professional Utility Locating Service
LocateGuard, operated by Sawtooth Analytics, is a supplemental software tool that analyzes 811 dig ticket data using artificial intelligence and displays information using augmented reality and mapping technology. It does NOT detect, locate, identify, verify, or confirm the physical presence or position of any underground utility, pipe, cable, conduit, or other buried infrastructure. The Service is not a substitute for professional utility locating performed by trained technicians using specialized ground-penetrating equipment.
You Must Call 811
Federal law (the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety Act) and state one-call laws require anyone planning to dig to notify their state's one-call center (811) before excavation. LocateGuard does NOT replace this legal obligation. Users must call 811 (or their applicable state one-call center), wait for all utilities to be marked by professional locators, and comply with all federal, state, and local excavation laws before any digging or ground-disturbing activity begins.
AI Analysis Limitations
The AI-powered ticket analysis feature uses third-party artificial intelligence (Anthropic's Claude) to parse and interpret 811 dig ticket data. This analysis is for informational purposes only and may be inaccurate, incomplete, or incorrect. AI may misinterpret ticket data, miss critical information, generate false or misleading risk assessments, or fail to identify hazards. Users must independently verify all AI-generated information and must not rely solely on AI analysis for excavation safety decisions.
GPS and AR Positioning Limitations
GPS accuracy is limited by the capabilities of your device hardware and is affected by environmental conditions such as tree cover, buildings, weather, and atmospheric interference. Consumer-grade GPS typically provides accuracy of 1 to 5 meters (3 to 16 feet), which is NOT survey-grade precision.
Augmented Reality (AR) flag placement is approximate and intended for visual reference only. AR overlays are positioned based on GPS data and device sensors, both of which have inherent inaccuracies. AR markers should NEVER be used as the sole indicator of underground utility locations.
No Underground Utility Detection
LocateGuard does NOT use any form of ground-penetrating radar, electromagnetic detection, acoustic detection, or any other method to physically detect underground utilities. All information displayed in the application is derived from dig ticket text data and user input. The absence of utility information in the application does NOT mean the absence of underground utilities at a given location.
No Liability for Utility Strikes or Damages
SAWTOOTH ANALYTICS ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FOR:
- Underground utility strikes of any kind
- Damage to underground utilities, pipes, cables, or conduits
- Property damage of any nature
- Personal injury or death
- Service interruptions (gas, electric, water, telecommunications, sewer)
- Environmental damage or contamination
- Inaccurate or incomplete AI analysis
- GPS positioning errors or AR placement inaccuracies
- Missing, unmarked, or incorrectly marked utilities
- Any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages
THIS LIMITATION APPLIES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CLAIM IS BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), STRICT LIABILITY, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.
Assumption of Risk
BY USING LOCATEGUARD, YOU EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT:
- Underground excavation is inherently dangerous and can result in death, serious injury, property damage, and environmental harm
- You assume all risk associated with any excavation or ground-disturbing activity, whether or not you used information from LocateGuard
- You are solely responsible for complying with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards related to excavation safety
- You will not rely solely on LocateGuard for excavation safety decisions
- You will call 811 and obtain professional utility locates before excavating
State One-Call Laws
Every U.S. state has one-call (811) laws that require excavators to notify utility owners before digging. These laws vary by state and may impose specific requirements regarding advance notice, tolerance zones, hand-digging requirements, and penalties for non-compliance. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with the one-call laws in your jurisdiction. For more information, visit call811.com.
No Warranty
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE." SAWTOOTH ANALYTICS MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS, RELIABILITY, SUITABILITY, OR AVAILABILITY OF THE SERVICE, ITS AI ANALYSIS, GPS DATA, AR OVERLAYS, OR ANY INFORMATION DISPLAYED THEREIN.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Disclaimer, please contact us at:
This disclaimer is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. We strongly recommend consulting with a qualified attorney for legal guidance specific to your situation and jurisdiction.