Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line

[canada-man]

An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.

His electricity provider, Alectra Utilities, wants him to pay $27,000 for the repair.


“They want $27,000,” Paul Willis of Brampton said. “And then I have to pay another contractor to run the final 80 feet and that’s about another $5,000.


Willis started building his garage in November 2021 with the help of a contractor. Willis said that at the start of the project, the contractor dug too deep, severing a hydro cable.

Homeowners are legally required to contact Ontario One – a free, non-profit agency that works with utilities to make sure no damage is done to underground gas pipes, communications networks, power lines or individuals – before beginning a digging project.

The agency’s CEO, Jim Keech, says that “the whole process is to make sure when you dig, be it with a shovel or major equipment, you’re aware of the infrastructure and don’t hit it.”

However, Willis says that he did contact Ontario One, and that his contractor didn’t follow the agency’s instructions.

“I’ve sued the contractor,” Willis said. “The problem is he has ignored the suit, he has ignored my lawyer and he has ignored me.”

Since November 2021, Alectra has repaired the hydro line two times. Both times, the line broke, leaving Willis with a temporary hydro line that he says needs to be replaced.

He is currently receiving power from a hydro pole line that is running over the ground with multiple splices connected to his home.

Willis says that he’s been told to pay the fee, or the hydro company is going to shut off his power.

In a statement to CTV News, a Alectra Utilities spokesperson said that they are aware of the situation and that their records indicate that the existing line was damaged by the third-party contractor.

“In response, our crews promptly addressed the issue with an emergency connection and provided the customer with an estimate of approximately $27,000 to replace the damaged line with an upgraded infrastructure in order to meet existing safety and electrical standards,” it reads.

Willis says that he doesn’t feel that he should have to pay the entire cost, and is hoping to find a compromise between all parties.

Call before you dig: Ontario homeowner must pay $27,000 for cut hydro line | CTV News

 

[Ref]

Who in their right mind would not call the locate crew out to tell you what is below the ground?

Especially going down that deep.

 

[Jenesis]

Who in their right mind would not call the locate crew out to tell you what is below the ground?

Especially going down that deep.

He did. The contractor ignored it. And then ignored the lawsuit.

Sadly the homeowner is on the hook.

 

[SchlongConery]

Who in their right mind would not call the locate crew out to tell you what is below the ground?

Especially going down that deep.

Read the article again. FFS, even old time members on TERB still call out people for being out of their mind when they themselves didn't even read past the headline beore shooting their mouth off. Sorry Ref.

Here: "
However, Willis says that he did contact Ontario One, and that his contractor didn’t follow the agency’s instructions.

“I’ve sued the contractor,” Willis said. “The problem is he has ignored the suit, he has ignored my lawyer and he has ignored me.”"


Four words: Contractor's Commercial General Liability Insurance


So here is the heretofore secret Samurai Code playbook of how the typical Master Negotiator Nicolai homeowner fucks himself before any shovel goes in the ground.

First mistake is that they think they alone can outsmart the market and the contractors. Second step is they go to kijiji with the "I'm going to find a deal" mindset. .

Then they pick contractors minds to see how they can save money. Then they hire the cheapest bidder who promises the job wil go faster than it can., After pissing off the ultimately guy hired by using each others bids against each other... then offers "cash" under the table for an even better "deal".

Trust me, these Kijiji Kontractors are more klever than any deal seeking homeowner. They already build in that fat to cut. If not more because if they get a "live one" who has no idea of what things really cost... that guy also is so vulnerable to making a stupid decision if he thinks he is getting a deal!

Then the tax evading homeowner tries to avoid wasting money on drawings, and avoids getting a building permit. The Kijiji Kontractor now has the homeowner over a barrel. And is more than happy to fuck him back for his initial negotiation fuckery.

What are the odds that the Kijiji Kash Kontractor working for Kash is going to have liability insurance. For... oh... say if he digs right into a marked hydro cable?

So Kijiji Kontractor Konstantin hires another inKompetent Kook *under the table to!) to dig the trench with the 4 hour rental Home Depot min hoe... and is so kareless or inKompetant tht he cant see of read the utility markings and stakes ... and rips into the LIVE underground powerline!

Kook gets shocked and is now has even more permanant brain damage requiring a lifetime of 24/7 care. And his family of 4 kids also need to be supported because the breadwinner is unable to provide for his family. Oh and in addition digging up the driveway and the utilty company having to dispatch Emergency Crews of union "Powerline Technicians, (aka Linemen) at overtime rate to replace the cable and conduit, the short blows up the transformer on the street!

Kijiji Kontractor Konstantin's real name is Stan. Last heard he was being evicted from a flop house in Keswick. And is never seen again. If he hasn't already skipped with the deposit.

Master Negotiator Nicolaia as the property owner and de facto project manager is now fully legally liable for:

1. The death or injury and lifetime support of the injured worker because almost NO Kijiji Kontractors are ever registered with or are up to date on their WSIB premiums. And the property owner is responsible not only for the injuries, but is liable to a serious fine for hr=iring someone without getting a current WSIB certificate. And aFAIK, the limits on the awards anad rehab amounts are not limited by WSIB legislation. Now its; PURELY a personal injury case in civil court. Judges HATE these homeowners.

2. Same with the utility. Property owner is the first and last one the hydro utility goes after for the cost of repairs, including the transformer! Hydro didn't hire the Kijiji Kontractor.

3. Then the city comes in with penalties, fines and stop work orders. And a permanent burr under their saddle moving forward.

4.. And if the project was much more than putting up a mailbox, you need to register a Notice of Project with the Ministry of Labour. And post the signs,and permit etc. They are also not very nice when one of the neighnours these type of people have already inevitably pissed off... and knows enough to report you to the MoL/

4. And depending on your homeowners policy , there is likely an exclusion for such gross negligence, deliberate misconduct and blatantly illegal work. So you are on your own. Both for the damage to your property and the liability for the power line and for lifetime income support of the permanently disabled worker and his family. And the wheel chairs, beds, etc.

Yeah, such a deal!

Now maybe someone where is going to say I'm being alarmist and it can't be that bad. Or that it can't cost $27,000 to repair a buried 200am service entry. Oh yeah. tell me just one thing to show you know what you are talking about. Like what gauge Cu or Al able you need for 200 ft of 200amp service!

Now, I don;t know if this happened in this case, but shit like this happens every day. Including toromorow!

And even if you have a policy that covers such recklessness, they probably bought the cheapest insurance with basic coverage. $1,000,000.00 is might get eaten up in legal fees before you spend the rest of your life supporting the crippled worker. and his family.

 

[SchlongConery]

He did. The contractor ignored it. And then ignored the lawsuit.

Sadly the homeowner is on the hook.

Exactly!

I'm looking to hire an editor. No blow jobs required and hopefully you are so good you can cut the editing session shorter than a kijiji girl visiting from Montreal!

Seriously, my mind is on overdrive lately and I think I better look into Grammarly!

 

[Ref]

Read the article again. FFS, even old time members on TERB still call out people for being out of their mind when they themselves didn't even read past the headline beore shooting their mouth off. Sorry Ref.

Here: "
However, Willis says that he did contact Ontario One, and that his contractor didn’t follow the agency’s instructions.

“I’ve sued the contractor,” Willis said. “The problem is he has ignored the suit, he has ignored my lawyer and he has ignored me.”"

My mistake. I only read the OP and was under the assumption they didn't have a locate guy.

 

[james t kirk]

As far as it goes, if YOUR contractor damages any utility, YOU are always on he hook. And it makes sense.

You are the Owner and you undertook the work and thus liability always falls to you. It's your problem. You can then sue the contractor you hired. (Yes, I read the bit about the fact that the Conteactor in question is ignoring the guy's calls, lawyers, lawsuits, etc. A sound strategy on the Contractor's part because there is no police force in these things. That's your problem too, not the utility's problem. There may be a way to put a lien on the Conractor's house.)

If you want to be thorough in these sorts of things, you need a contract, make sure the contractor has WSIB clearance and most of all require him to not only have liability insurance but to give you a copy of his certificate of insurance and co-name you on the insurance policy. (This costs him nothing.) Then, if anything happens and the Contractor is intransigent, you file a claim with his insurance company. Oh, and always make it the contractor's responsibility to take out the locates with Ontario One Call and require him to keep a copy of all locates on the jobsite and inside any excavation equipment. (And its a good strategy that you as the Owner check to make sure that locates were done and indeed he has the paper work on site and inside his excavation equipment.)

And just a little aside here, always be real careful digging around gas Iines. I was shocked how shallow they are buried. Like maybe a foot. Always call One Call and always dig gingerly by hand.

 

[SchlongConery]

.... and name you on the insurance policy. (This costs him nothing.) Then, if anything happens and he Contractor is intransigent, you file a claim with his insurance company.

I forgot about that! Good point!

 

[SchlongConery]

My mistake. I only read the OP and was under the assumption they didn't have a locate guy.

Sorry for taking it out on you Ref!

I both had to deal with a similar pathological cheapskate and undo his problems on a similar matter ... and am realizing that while there are some good discussions on TERB and , way too much clickbait reposting and resultant quick dashing off of posts that then send the thread off in all directions and multiple conflicts.

It's just getting to the point where member are more engaged here to be argumentative and scoring tribal points than atcially trying to learn, share from each other or together as a group.

Again, you're a good ole boy and sorry I used your post to tee off on!

 

[squeezer]

My mistake. I only read the OP and was under the assumption they didn't have a locate guy.

That was your mistake. Anything the OP posts you must go deep into the details before making your conclusion.