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When I start a landscape project in a front garden I always check where the mains are running and if necessary use a detector.I was doing a simple planting job last week that involved planting a privet hedge in an existing bed up the side of a house.My colleague was digging 30cm deep holes for the shrubs. On the 3rd hole they're was a huge bang and all the power went off in the clients house. It transpired that he had nicked the armoured cable with the spade. Luckily the spade had a wooden handle otherwise he could have had serious injuries.I was very angry about this wire being so shallow but why I need advice is the power company want to charge me for the work they had to carry out to fix the cable and started that I should have checked the bed using a cable detector.I don't see why I should pay and have never had to use a cable detector before I plant plants in a flower bed.Has anyone else had this happen to them and \or can give me advice?Much appreciatedWill

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  • This is an interesting issue as last year I sliced one of my customers's water supply in the garden. Fortunately, they were absolutely fine with it and that afternoon had a plumber to reconnect them back to the mains. It did get me thinking about electrics and I always ask if there's any power cables underground in an area I have not yet worked in. The only thing I can suggest is whether your public liability insurance will cover you for this? Also what's your clients' view on this?
  • I should add that the client have a responsibility for theH&S of contractors working on their property.
  • This reply was deleted.
    • Yes. All the cables we lay for garden electrics have this tape above them, and are buried at least 60cm brow ground level. Prob wasn't a requirement when this was buried
  • PRO

    you could point out to them that it's ridiculous that A: it was shallow enough (1ft?) to hit with a spade, and B: clearly either not armoured or strong enough to resist a spade! 

    • Thanks Nathan
      That's why I was so angry. It is dangerous having the cable so shallow and in a flower bed
  • PRO

    You must add to your terms and conditions, something like this:

    We are not able to accept responsibility for any damage to (or cost involved with) any underground hazards, obstructions or services not made known to us in writing or apparent on visual inspection.

    • PRO

      It's very important to have T&C, in my first year I was aerating a garden and a client claimed I hit his mains water supply with a 3" tine!

      Luckily he was all right about it, however it made me realise you need to protect yourself with T&C's.... 

    • that will take some upholding, you are expected to check any excavation for services, you damaged you pay, home owners very rarely know where things are

    • Thanks Philip
  • There is little you can do , you damaged it you pay, the electric co. will tell you there is no regulation for service depth or to have it taped with marker tape, as it could have be moled in. when  you get the bill arguee to cost and offer a amount near it they stand a good chance of accepting it and pay it monthy installments, i have damaged 20 or so cables and argue them all. 

    you need to invest in a cable avoidance tool for jobs like that, i may sound harsh but its your fault no one elses 

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