atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Outside Plant OSP Construction Cut about 50+ underground main phone lines. Need HELP!!!

Don't worry yourself to death, not much you can do about it. Telco's weighted time is around 150 per hour. Like I said all you can do is hope they cut you some slack. Also, it's not that hard to fix, if you know what you're doing. Just relax and wait and see, you can't undo it.

Do yourself a favor and play dumb when they show up. If you go out there telling them that it's easy and $100 is highway robbery to fix your screw up they will take all day and roll a whole wiring crew (with trucks) and replace 40-feet of cable, all at YOUR expense. The telco is not walmart, they don't price match, or have a low-price guarantee.

Your best bet is to throw yourself at their mercy, let them use the backhoe if they want, be helpful, and go "oooh" and "ahhhh" every time he touches the wire. It will make him feel like a hero and he will cut you slack hopefully. Remember, he's there cause of you, not because he was scheduled to be.

BTW, judging from how verizon charges big money to do small things around here (when they are scheduled weeks in advance), i'd guess you would be looking at a high 3-digit, maybe low 4-digit bill. Remember, that $150 ballpark that bill mentioned was BEFORE it became an emergency service outage.

Call the 800-number monday morning and ask them if the wire is there. If they say no, tell bellsouth you called and it wasn't on the map. Maybe you will get lucky.

FWIW the materials (splice case and splices) are about $100 and the labor is somewhere near 1.5 hours to do this if you haven't stretched the cable too much. (YMMV).

None of us here could plead ignorance for not calling Miss Dig, or whoever you have in your state, but you just might pull it off.

Use a lot of "I didn't know" and "I never expected" etc.

It can't hurt.

Carl

150 is that max? And is that per worker of 150 an hour flat fee? I know price varies per telco but at least I got an idea of what the cost is. I will try and relax as your rite you cant undo it.
Yeah throw myself at their mercy is the best idea so far. I'll let him use the backhoe as much he wants. I will try to call the 800 number but I got classes tommorow from 9am- 2:30 pm. I think by then the guys will be done if not then I will call. hopefully i might get lucky. Not counting on it though.

Thanks for the info Mr. Carl. So I guess if I get some guy that is not lazy and does what he is supposed to then it will be no more than 2 hours I hope? Also ignorance cant descibe what I did today. Just cant even think about it no more. Very bummed out. ;( I will use the I dont know etc.

My dad just got back from Atlanta and I told him what happened and he was bummed out too. He said he did it once a long time ago and they charged him around 2000-2500 I think the teclo was Knology. Anyways it seems unfair to make him pay for it if its that much so I might as well get a job if its anything more than 200 bucks. I hope Mcdonalds or BKing is looking for someone to cook or something damn it. :rolleyes:

Take a deep breath and a nip and let us know the outcome.

Down here I would expect a bill in excess of $200.and hopefully no more than $500.

It doesn't work that way , you call give them the address at least two business days ahead of the dig and they notify all utility's who either send someone to mark or call and tell you they have nothing in the area .

by digging without calling first you are also in violtion of fl law and can be cited


so your dad did it and you didn't learn ?

why shouldnt you be charged for your mistake ?
why should the cost be shared by those that do follow the law ?

If you were working as a homeowner on your own property, for example doing landscaping, they tend to be a bit more lenient. If you were there in the capacity of a contractor, then the state may levy up to a $10,000.00 fine for not calling for a utility location PLUS repair costs. It's best to represent yourself as a homeowner who just made a mistake and hopefully, they will be patient with you.

This is off subject, but does anyone know what Bell's charge for underground fiber repairs are? I've been watching the development next to me get fios,I'm not sure how many strands are in each cable,but everything is underground.-----John

Don't know, and pray I never have to find out! That otta hurt BIG time.

Dave