Garage building problems.

[JOECOOL]

I normally just lurk here as I am a frequent troublemaker on the H.A.M.B. This is a post about my quest to build just one more garage.
I am not like everyone else,good or bad I always see things different. That being said my wife and I retired,bought a Bank,moved in it and have been converting it for the past year.My garage stuff is in storage but I thought I could always see the light at the end of the tunnel.
The Bank has a Concrete parking area about 150 feet by 80 feet out behind.Perfect for a garage except it falls off slightly for drainage.Last August I had the utility co's locate all their lines in back so I could plan the location of the building.
After messing with the city council for three months I finally got a permit. Were going now,I rented a concrete saw,spent a three day weekend sawing the concrete in 1 foot squares .The winter was spent pulling these squares up and hauling them away. I could almost see the vision of the garage,it won't be long now.
Three months of moonliting and all my birthday and presents being lumber yard gift cards and I'm ready.I have never hired anyone to build my house or garages before but at 63 years old,diabetes,back surgerys,and a replacment shoulder my wife convinces me to document the build with a camera and hire it done.This is new for me. I decide to get out the smoker and some pork butts and beans and feed the building crew all week. Damn this is going to be a fun deal.
The building kit is on the way ,my builder says he would like the locates updated so I call again,the builder shows up yesterday with a backhoe to start dirt work.WAIT A MINUTE !! Midamerica Energy (my electrical supplier) is also here and they missed their original locate by about 16 feet. It is almost through the middle of the proposed building.They refuse to allow me to build over their line.Their answer for the snafu, "we're not responsible"
So now I am taking the money that was going to the builder and filling and laying new concrete so I can be just like I was a year ago,just less a couple of thousand dollars.
Every one makes mistakes ,but what happened to admitting to them and saying ,"what can we do to make this work". I feel I did everything I was supposed to and I ended up getting screwed,they can only hold up their hands and say they are not responsible. If you want to see my new garage please feel free to drive by,it's laying on the concrete beside the big hole.
Thanks for the chance to rant ! best of luck to everybody.

 

[rburke65]

You should have dug it up.......This is like dealing with the government....no one is ever responsible. Then they say, "Gee..I don't know why he came in here shooting?" What I can't believe is why there are so few shooting!!!! Ok, I'm back in control now. Sorry. That felt good.

 

[blkhonda1991]

im quite confused by your post...why are you replacing concrete?

 

[Full Size 66]

Just how is it laid out? Can't you have it or the garage or both moved slightly to make room?

 

[rasit]

Is this buried line feeding your "Bank"? Around here the power company is responsible for everything feeding up to the meter. If their line were in the way of approved improvements to my property, they would be obligated to re-locate their line at no cost to me. Problem would be that they would do it on their schedule and I'd be waiting.... a long time. If the line is in a deeded right-of-way feeding others, you probably don't stand a chance.

 

[Stuart in MN]

If it's the service to your building only, they should be able to re-route it so it goes around the site of the new garage.

 

[Buford T. Justice]

Midamerican is aweful to work with. I truly know from experience what bullheads you are dealing with...

 

[ZRX61]

Tap into it for free power

 

[larry4406]

Check the land records, find a recorded easement. IF no easement, they need to go.

 

[GarageEnvy]

Larry's got it. I can't speak to the laws or procedures for your area but if it was around here (California) and that line was outside of an easement they'd be on the hook (usually). Ironically the electrician setting up temporary power for my build told me last week that he had received written (Title 16 I believe) permission to run power through an easement from PG&E (our power company). Trench dug, line installed, neighbor screams I never gave permission to do it. It turns out PG&E guy was about to go on vacation and never asked the neighbor. PG&E guy said "I didn't think it was a big deal, usually people are cool with that." All had to be dug up and the owner got stuck with the bill. BUT, he then sued PG&E, showed the proof that he had in writing and won. As much as I hate being that litigious a-hole, there are times to document your steps and demonstrate a willingness to not just accept their answer.

 

[JOECOOL]

Ok I'll try to answer some questions. Yes, it is the main power from the pole in the alley to the bank.They do have an easement,they do own the line as the meter is on the bank.Yes I can pay to have the line moved.Their estimate ,100 foot of concrete removal,(alley is concrete also) 115 foot of 3 inch conduit about 400 foot of cable( three wires to the top of the pole),excavate and bury 42 inchs deep ,fill and tamp per requirments,repour concrete .They will not reuse the cable ,or conduit and I must dispose of any and all concrete and debris. For a paltry $4200 this can be my solution. It may be more if they get into the sewer line.
The reason for the concrete intially being removed is the parking lot falls off about 14 inchs in 32 feet. I did not want to just pour a floating slab on top because of our winters and freeze and thaw periods.
It would be nice if I could force them to move it but I am not going to be able to force them to do anything. A customer service rep came down yesterday afternoon. I can't run the new line overhead because it will be over a metal roof and if the line should ice up and fall it could be really ugly(besides having a really ugly line to look at every day.)
Because I really screwed over my builder,cancelling at the last minute(when they finally told me I couldn't build he showed up with a rented Bobcat and auger, which I insisted on paying for. Just because I am dealing with ***-holes doesn't mean I have to be one) so he will come Monday and repour the concrete so I can start at square one again.That puts me at a little over 3 grand ,some of that money was for the builders labor.I will return to the workforce this summer( retirement isn't all that great anyway) and stockpile some MORE money . When you come to Wal-mart I'll be greeting you,say Hi.
But on the good side had I dug with the original locate something bad could have happened,someone could have got hurt,equiptment ruined,ect.
Probably the most irritating thing is ,after dealing with four seperate people not one of them has said ,we screwed up ,were sorry, what can we do to make this work. I'm not looking for something for nothing, just work with me a little. The building will now be located on the other side of the lot,it will block the trees and set on what is now our patio .So is life. I'll try to post some pic's but I'm not an expert on this. opps sorry for the size,in the left hand side you can still see the original wrong locate.

 

[travisd]

You could try taking them to small claims court to recoup your expenses...

 

[Keep]

How the hell do you miss by 16 feet? Damn I could see a foot or two, must have been a friday afternoon.