u/Cluten-morgan

We’re in the middle of cleaning up project files from 2022–2024, and I’ve hit a pile that honestly just made me stop. Box full of printed 811 tickets from the field. Some are neatly stapled, others are crumpled, and a few are barely readable, coffee stains, dirt, half-faded print. Now I’m stuck on the question no one really wants to answer: how long are we actually supposed to keep these after the job is closed? I’ve heard different things from 3 years, 5 years, but nothing consistent. And I don’t want to be the person who shreds something today and then gets asked for it after a utility incident down the line. Right now it feels like we’re either hoarding paper just in case or risking not having it when it matters.

I keep seeing this as an add-on and not sure if it’s something most people actually do.

Feels optional, but also sounds like one of those things you regret skipping.