Do you ever?

[stormgrey]

For saftey sake give a contractor a heads up about a "extra" shallow utility? I usually dont but for some reason was in a good mood and decided to help out, and glad I did after finding out the line fed a major medical complex in the area. Probably would have been hit, I know , not my fault but would have sucked for anyone on the "other end".

[TheCableVine]

If I'm aware of an unusally shallow line I'll call the contractor and give them a heads up.

[AULupstate]

No such thing as giving any kind of depth. Unless of course it is a cable t co-ax laying on the ground then that's different.

[underground quester]

As a courtesy, I will tell a contractor when I see an unusual depth on my receiver. Recently, I had traffic light cable showing 18", told contractor about it but do not tell them depths; just let them know it is UNUSUALLY shallow.

That may have saved a possible hit at a major intersection. Although, here, it is almost universal, that contractors pothole.

As a courtesy to homeowners, I will caution them when digging around a gas service line that it is VERY, VERY shallow AND that the service line is about the size of one of their fingers, so hitting one (P.E. gas service lines especially) could cause a leak.

H/Owners, I find, believe all utilities are deep and almost all are surprised to find some are REALLY shallow.

Never tell them depths, but, telling them it is really shallow gets the same message across without putting the company I work for at risk.

[yahoo]

i agree.........courtesy call goes along way ....it has helped me out more times than i can count...

[sprayandpray]

Why do that? Add some suspense and excitement to their lives - especially little old ladies putting in a flower bed! They think every line is an electric line anyway. And if you tell them it's shallow then they will start bitching to you likes it's your job tp lower the damn thing. No, it's better to let homeowners find things out on their own.

[TBONE]

Depends on the contractor and if I like them or not

[Goldenboy]

It all depends on the situation and the contractor. I'll never give an actual depth but if it's a crew that has helped me in the past I'll help them by warning them that the line "may be" very shallow. If it's a crew that has messed with me in the past I'll make sure it's marked exactly right and take tons of pictures and then wait for the damage page.

[underground quester]

It all depends on the situation and the contractor. I'll never give an actual depth but if it's a crew that has helped me in the past I'll help them by warning them that the line "may be" very shallow. If it's a crew that has messed with me in the past I'll make sure it's marked exactly right and take tons of pictures and then wait for the damage page.

Okaaay Goldenboy, remind me never to pee in your cereal...

I do hear you. Some of my contractors are pretty high on my PITA list, so I do not cut them too much slack.

Some, I will bend over backwards for. Friday, had a spare hour and a half first thing in the morning and a contractor REALLY, REALLY needed a favor. So, I had him get a ticket number from first call and completed it on the spot.

He walked over to his truck and came back with a really nice gortex jacket (with his logo on it of course) fire resistant with retro-reflective stripe on it. Best graft I have ever received.

Then we both went into a mutual thank you fest...

[TBONE]

I use to look out but after being stared in the face an bold faced lied to I just do my job and make them do thiers when it comes down to a damage noone but you will take up for you when it involves money

[locator_smbk]

Amen TBONE...your company sure as heck wont look out for you on any level....they just want to "burn" you....

[underground quester]

I use to look out but after being stared in the face an bold faced lied to I just do my job and make them do thiers when it comes down to a damage noone but you will take up for you when it involves money

TBONE

I can't argue with that logic. When a hit happens, S**T happens.
Everyone seems to duck for cover and the last one with Johnson out gets to pay the bill.

So many times I have seen our company have to eat the bill for reasons I do not understand. A little more root cause analysis and plain logic would be nice at times.

[Wingfoot]

Knowledge is power! I give depths to everyone and anyone. I have never been burned............

[RoadMap]

I will only give out depth to contractors who have helped me in the past. Mostly utility contractors.

[beyond help]

Knowledge is power! I give depths to everyone and anyone. I have never been burned............

I would possibly do it for a few; if I had equipment that had been recalibrated once in a while. I have yet to see any equipment that has been recalibrated in the past 5 years.