Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin
'Call before you dig' hotline hit by construction that didn't call hotline (9news.com)
2 points by zdw on Jan 24, 2022 | hide | past | favorite | 1 comment


I think this service is very helpful, I have used a similar hotline in my local area and was provided valuable information about services running in and around my property.

That being said, the entire experience made me feel very uncomfortable as once I provided my information I was informed that I must wait until 5 different companies replied to the request for information and that if I began work before hand I could be subjected to fines and stop work orders.

Two weeks later I received the last confirmation that company X did not have any services located within my property boundaries and that I had 30 days to complete the work specified, in the event the work required longer to complete or I wanted to do any different work, I would be required to go through the process again.

I can't help but feel doing the right thing and "Dialing before I dug" has now put me on a list that I would not otherwise have been on. I was only building a fence but can imagine if I was doing any other construction the local permitting and inspection enforcers would be paying me a visit soon after calling.

I would probably do it the same way knowing what I know now as I don't want to cause damage to mine or anyone else's property by damaging a hidden service but feel that the bureaucracy and legal CMA type procedures have tainted an otherwise great service.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: