Looking for Opinions

[cfoxmd]

Yup, they don't pay the price to protect the customer and their workers--so they can do the job for less. All is well until either they make off with the money and there is no completion bond, a worker gets injured and there is no worker's comp, or someone damages something.

General Contractors should always make sure that the subs have the insurance in order, the work is done correctly, and when the sub is done get a lien release from the sub upon payment.

When a customer is ordering work, he is the general contractor, but fails to do the homework so they often get taken. As long as there are no incidents, injuries, and the work is completed competently, the guy doing the work gets a little extra money and the customer pays a little less. Of course both--but mainly the customer--are taking risk of some bad outcome.

 

[zuiko]

Even with the utilities located there are lots of things they don't mark. I've had these done where they didn't even know where the city water and sewer were so they weren't marked.

They also often have no idea where the underground service entrance wires are for electrical if the meter isn't on the house (not something you want to find the hard way). They also wouldn't know where a septic system (tank, field, pipes) or well line is.

 

[cfoxmd]

Here they use a radio transmitter that they attach to the (metal) pipes. The receiver beeps over the pipe. I don't know how they do the electical. Phone, cable, and anything that isn't the direct service to the home is not marked. If the gas service isn't on, they don't mark the pipes.

 

[htiek126]

Miss Utility has marked my utility lines on three different occasions. Each time, the electrical was marked as a different route, one of which was in the opposite direction. So at best, they are batting .333. It is still better then being liable...