Underground Water Line Prices

MCerminaro

Nevermind

smellslike$tome

How deep was the water line and why did you touch it if you are not a licensed plumber? Does Delaware allow this? Unless it was very deep I could replace 2-3 average sized water services in 18 hours.

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MCerminaro

Water lines were about 42" below grade. I ended up repairing two seperate lines. The water company could not get the water service shut off to the building I was working at. They took 6 hours to shut off service.

Water company is responsible for water lines to the water box shutoff. Its homeowner/owner responsibilty from there to dwelling. I am allowed to work on these lines. I've done alot of plumbing over the years and have no issues with inspections. Believe it or not, these outside lines are not required to be inspected when they are fixed. Only new plumbing installed inside.

The 18 hours includes alot of wait time where I was required to stay on site while waiting for water company to shut service off, then for them to restore service well after I made my repairs, as they were repairing an 8" main about 300 yards from me. I had to wait for them to make their repairs so I could make sure we were good before backfill.

Teetorbilt

Around here, that would be a City or County job and repaired for free to the HO. You could also be in D**p C**P for messing with it. It may be different where you are.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

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MCerminaro

No here it is owner responsibility. Anything on the shut off side of there valve is not there problem.

Teetorbilt

Here, the meters are placed on the county/city side of the lot and spudded out to the owners side. Everything from the spud on is the owners responsibility, from the spud to the main is under the municipalities control.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Alan Mesmer

Not a lot to consider really. I would charge time and materials period. If you are worried about being too heavy on the hours(18 hrs?) then charge them for a 10 hour day and write the rest off to lack of experience. Here in NE Ohio a waterline is the HO responsibility also. I can't really tell you what you can charge in your market area.
Also - Be careful excavating without insurance because you can end up in a real costly mess quickly. If you intend to continue with this type of work get some excavators insurance and call your local one call before you dig number to locate utilites, etc. Even if you are only digging with a shovel and you skin a phone line they will slap you if you didn't have them mark it.

Alan

MCerminaro

Thanks for the input. I had about a days worth of work there. The other wasted time was out of my hands, but I was still required to be there. I was leaning towards a days labor and material as well. I was just trying to get some feedback. Also I do carry a 1 millon dollar policy. I would never work without it!!! Too much too lose for being stupid. We did have utilities marked as well before the dig. Years ago I was digging a driveway and was only about 8 inches down when I cut right through a main cable feed. Ever since then I call for EVERY dig no matter how deep I have to go.

masterk

Check this out www.dpr.delaware.gov/boards/plumbers
I just read the Delaware Plumbing Boards site. You do have to be licensed. You are taking a big risk doing plumbing work without the proper license. Many things could happen.
1) The customer needs your lic.# you don't have it. NO $ Just did that job for free.
2) Something goes wrong and your insurance company does not cover you becaused your not licensed.
3) The state catches you and now the profit has just went to the fine.

Ron The Plumber

Ouch that hurts.

MCerminaro

Delaware is a funny state when it comes to plumbing and electrical work. A homeowner can perform their own work as long as it is inspected by the proper office. With the proper permits.

I wasn't trying to turn this into a debate, and after reading my origional post I should have stated a permit was not required for the work. I was referring to teetorbilts response about being allowed to touch those particular pipes.

masterk

Top statement, TRUE.

If you do not have a plumbing license you can not do plumbing other than in your own house as stated in the top statement.
Bottom statement.
This work is for a customer, a permit many not be required,
BUT YOU STILL DO NOT HAVE A PLUMBING LICENSE.
By Delaware licensing regulations you are in violation.

MCerminaro

I UNDERSTAND my owns states rules and regulations on contractors. Only 1 person in the company has to posses the license. My partner holds the license. Unfortunatly he does not have alot of expierience with pricing jobs on his own. Most of the work done under his license is remodel kitchen and bath, and finished basement work. 90% of our work requires some type of plumbing.

Normally I would not take on a job such as this but this was an emergency deal for a client we do alot of work for. I appreciate all the concern, I wasn't aware that I had to explain every deatail of my business to recieve feedback from you guys. I've been in busniness for 14 years as a licensed, bonded , and insured GC. I took on my partner as a Licensed plumber 7 years ago when he got his papers. I hope this clarifyies it enough for you and we can get back to my origional post.

Thank you

Ron The Plumber

Your partner should be going this job not you.

MCerminaro

WE WORK TOGETHER!!!! I guess all your employees are licenced plumbers as well. By your comment, anyone who touches a pipe should be a licesed plumber. I guess your helper never glued or sweat a pipe?

Ron The Plumber

It's law in Oregon, so to answer your question, yes. Helpers here are called apprentices

MCerminaro

Well we have 50 states and 50 different sets of rules pertaining to this. I do not wish to debate this any further. I appreciate the the 1 response from ALAN as it pertained to my post.

Can a Moderator please delete this post as it is only wasting bandwith.

RollinSoLo

It takes a long time to get licensed and the p***ks we have to deal with in my state its the tsbpe, most plumbers follow the plumbing law to a tee.From my experience i work on commercial projects and it is pretty cut and dry , if you are working for a reputable company/Master. Most plumber are protective of the profession if think that is why you are getting the 20 questions. The license regulations keep the practice strong and its a constant fight to keep the industry from being watered down.

For anyone who has had problems getting your journeyman's license or dealing with the tsbpe they are known pricks, they do it cause they have something that we want. The good thing is you only have to kiss their ass for 2 days in your career then give them the finger and go to your continuing education classes .