Bill this service call.

[480sparky]

Ran into an unusual situation yesterday/today. HO called yesterday about a house I wired two years ago, saying half his power is out. No 240v loads work, and half his lights are dim. I trucked out (in the rain) and checked what I could, and determined he had a broken/open underground feed.

I went back this morning, and fixed it.

Prequel to the story: When I wired the house, I knew he was going to eventually build a detached garage, so I trenched the service around the planned footprint of the garage. What I didn't know was that in building the garage, the GC excavated out a bunch of a slight hill. He stated when I talked to him one time that he 'found' the cables with the skidloader.

Round 2: After the garage is built, the HO (who is a landscaper, no less) decides there isn't enough grade removed to drain the area, so he shows up with his own skidloader and scrapes some more soil off. He also says he managed to 'find' the cable.

Fast forward to this morning, when I go out with my fault locator to find the bad part of the cable. Hmmmm. Right where both the GC and HO say they 'found' the cable. And only about 2" down.

(Reason #216 why I hate underground.)

Now my question for all you fine folks:

How would you bill this?

End result:

 

[dwellselectric]

The pictures didnt load

 

[satcom]

"he shows up with his own skidloader and scrapes some more soil off. He also says he managed to 'find' the cable."

Bill whatever the job is worth!

 

[ishium 80439]

I'm not sure I understand the question. If the original installation was code compliant and work done afterwards caused a problem why wouldn't you bill at your usual rates?

 

[480sparky]

I'm not sure I understand the question. If the original installation was code compliant and work done afterwards caused a problem why wouldn't you bill at your usual rates?

Basically, both the GC and HO said they 'found' the cable with their skidloaders.

So who do I bill?

I know what I'm thinking of doing, but I thought I'd ask your opinions.

The pictures didnt load

Right-click, then choose "Show Picture". See if that works.

 

[Loffgren]

re

re

I would bill however called and go from there. My two cents

 

[480sparky]

I would bill however called and go from there. My two cents

To me, that would be unfair to the HO, since the GC could have just as easily been the one to cause the damage. And how would the GC know of the problem if the HO didn't call him?

 

[growler]

Basically, both the GC and HO said they 'found' the cable with their skidloaders.

So who do I bill?

I know what I'm thinking of doing, but I thought I'd ask your opinions.

Did either of these idiots think to have the utilities located before digging?


Like King Soloman I would make the bill high enough so there would be plenty for both of them ( and I would also cut the baby in half ).

I think that once the grade changes like that the service need to be re-buried to the correct depth. Just a thought.

 

[480sparky]

Did either of these idiots think to have the utilities located before digging?.....

No, but One-Call wouldn't have located this... it's a private utility at this point. Yes, I could have located it, but never knew about the digging until to day.

 

[ishium 80439]

I can see this not being a cut and dried situation. What is the relationship between the three parties involved (you, the GC and the HO). I think that the HO/ landscaper should have known enough to have locates done, but that would not have told him the burial depth. Since the GC is the one who "found" the cable first and knew that he had left a violation in place the blame would seem to lie with him.

 

[growler]

No, but One-Call wouldn't have located this... it's a private utility at this point. Yes, I could have located it, but never knew about the digging until to day.

Did you have a warning ribbon placed in the trench at least 12" above the service cable? Article 300.5 (D) 3.

I don't actually use any I just carry some to throw out in the mud after they dig up the cable. Works just as good.

 

[ctmike]

Did either of these idiots think to have the utilities located before digging?

Was there marking tape above it to alert them that the cable was there? How is your relationship with the GC is it worth doing it for goodwill somtimes worth more than $$$

 

[GUNNING]

its broke

its broke

Send him (the owner) a bill for the repair. Also tell him the service needs to be replaced and send him an estimate for it and get the money up front and start the work. The service needs to be replaced because of depth, and because its broke. I would tell the owner it's only temporary till you can get back there and replace it. No warranty. No question. Its broke. Its his and he owns it.

 

[220/221]

Reason #216 why I hate underground

Reason # 216 why I hate direct buried cable.

This is the 21st century. Spring for conduit next time. At least it offers SOME protection.


Oh.....bill the HO.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I don't believe it is my job to get in the middle. I bill the HO and it's his problem with the GC not mine.

 

[LarryFine]

I gotta agree: your customer is the HO. It's up to him to delegate the responsibility if he chooses.

 

[Sparky555]

Bill the HO because if it gets ugly you can lien the property. IMO the line should have been retrenched to proper depth instead of the temp splice (or temp with a signed contract for the full repair). Once you temp it in it may never get done right.

 

[chris kennedy]

No, but One-Call wouldn't have located this...

You would be surprised what they will dead nuts find for lunch.

Bill the HO, let the chips fall where they may.

 

[satcom]

Bill the HO because if it gets ugly you can lien the property. IMO the line should have been retrenched to proper depth instead of the temp splice (or temp with a signed contract for the full repair). Once you temp it in it may never get done right.

Yes I agree, retrench it, how can you temp splice it, if the depth is not in compliance?

 

[Ed Carr]

Even if you know somethings there you'll still hit it.
Bill the skidsteer :grin:

Ed