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Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 4:45 pm
by sy76uk
I'm doing a driveway and had a mate in to do the fence.
He got the job direct from the client so it's not really anything to do with me but it was his recommendation that got me this driveway and patio.
Just as he was putting his last post hole in he's got through next doors mains power cable. Luckily he wasn't hurt but we've had to have western power out to fix the cable.
I've never gone through a mains cable so have no idea on the cost.
Also he has no public liability. I have but it wouldn't cover him as he isn't an employee.
I want to help him out but I'm not footing the bill.
Anyone else had a similar experience that can offer any advice?
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:26 pm
by dig dug dan
Public liability would not cover this In any case. I had a mate cut through a power line with his hedgecutter on my job.mhe was a sub contractor, so down to him. We argued that the cable was mot at the right height and got away with it.
was there warning tape over the cable. Was he diggin by hand, as thats more on your side than if he was using a hole borer.
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 7:50 pm
by sy76uk
He was using a shovel Dan, the cable had no warning tape and was hurried 400 deep. I know the regs for depth are 450 under a drive and 600 in the garden so this situation didn't meet either.
Still not sure how he stands as we didn't cat scan the ground or see any of the plans.
Anyone got an idea on what the repair might cost?
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 8:49 pm
by msh paving
Repair cost will be anything up to about £450, as the was no reinstatment but argue any invoice they send, they will not listen to the no tape argument as its up to you to detect cables, but if its in the fence line you stand a slim chance of getting out of it but thats a slim chance,there is no regululation for depth if you listen to them,
i have had probilly 10 run in with cables and gas only ever got 3 reduced
also quote to them they are not allowed to make profit from damage repairs MSH 
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 9:10 pm
by dig dug dan
He must have really smashed the spade hard to break it! Hopefully it wont cost too much, nut its a lesson learnt.
Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2014 10:13 pm
by sy76uk
I thought that might be the case msh. There was paving that needed to be reinstated as it was his last post in the front garden right next to the footpath and I've had a chat with the client tonight who has told me that he nicked 2 cables so both had to be repaired.
He was wacking his spade in as fencers often do Dan. He's a bloody big bloke as well.
I think a lesson has been learned for both of us. I'll be on ebay looking for a cat scanner before I start my next job.
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 5:19 pm
by lutonlagerlout
never done a leccy yet but first port of call on any job is where are your meters and where is the rising main
you can get a good idea of the position of cables just from this
a CAT is invaluable as they always show electric
when the guys come out to fix try and get their numbers as I am reliably informed they are all subbies now
I have a gas and leccy mans number in my phone just in case
bottom line its going to cost him more than the labour on the fence probably
LLL
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 8:36 pm
by Dave_L
Catscanner will only work when power is being drawn through a cable; or a genny is used. I've had real mixed results with them.
As LLL says, looking for the tell-tale signs - entry points, covers on the footpath etc, it is fairly easy to get an idea of what goes where. It also helps to have a skilled machine driver and a decent banksman!
Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2014 10:14 pm
by sy76uk
I'm on a complete front and rear garden project so the first thing I did was look for the obvious signs.
I took a few pictures this morning, take a look at these [img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523....mg]WP_20141113_08_21_50_Pro by sy76uk, on Flickr
IMHO that is an absolute joke.
I'm going to buy a cat scanner.
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 4:56 pm
by DNgroundworks
Ive done 2 gas service pipes and 1 electric cable, doesnt seem to matter what point of law/regulation you argue you will rarely get it reduced. All the depth guidlines etc are just that...guidelines and not statue law.
The two gas pipes where £500.00 each and the electric cable was £1100.00.
Lessons learned
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 6:15 pm
by GB_Groundworks
Cats work better if more current being drawn but I've had mine go off at an old disconnected 1" cable, they are first port of call and we use now a permission to dig certificate that list date location services located visual markers and cat scan etc? Just puts it in writing.
Then go slow and steady on domestic work
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 7:51 pm
by dig dug dan
I tried the "before you dig" website once for a job putting in marker posts on a sports field. It showed no services, drilled down with the auger, and was within 10mm of the main elec cable to the cricket pavillion. Lucky escape
Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 10:37 pm
by sy76uk
Thanks for all the advice lads. I've been doing this kind of work for years so I've seen enough of this type of thing happen to know better than dig in untested ground.
I suppose I'm lucky because if it wasn't my mate doing the fence then it would have been me.
I just hope he doesn't get an £1100 bill. I'm sure we can all agree that the way those services have been installed is bloody dangerous. I have a feeling that a rotorvator would take that out a bit further into the garden as the cable seems to rise before it falls.
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 7:54 am
by Dave_L
Permit to dig isn't worth the paper its printed on in my experience, as I've worked somewhere where you'd like to think they know where EVERYTHING is, but in reality, they don't have a clue.
Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2014 9:04 am
by lutonlagerlout
As Giles said
softly, softly, even with the machine is the best way
a decent banksman will spot disturbed earth or brick bats that give the game away
cheers LLL