Who is reponsible for repairs to utility lines on private property when cut by the contractor?

Answer 1

The key words to the question are "private property". When the contractor calls the digger hot-line it is for public property only, not private. So the homeowner is responsible for getting the private property located, either themselves or hiring someone to do it for them, that has locating equipment. It has nothing to do with carelessness on the part of the contractor. They are digging in the dark without a clue as to what is beneath the soil.

Answer 2

The contractor, or their insurance, is liable. If the utility lines were underground and the contractor didn't bother to call digger's hot line o whatever the local equivalent is before they dug, then it s a sign of carelessness and I would advise against ever using them again. If it was an above-ground line and it was just accidentally cut, it is still their responsibility.

Answer 3

depends on who hired the contractor. If they were on private property and you hired them you may be ---but you may have to sue them for negligence since they had no idea of what they were doing. Call before you dig! If someone else hired them then that company is responsible for sure.

Answer 4

Unless the contractor called DigSafe they're the ones on the hook.

Answer 5

The contractor usually. They should have called before they dug.