Canada Terms of Service and Billing Structure

Know Before You Dig Locates Inc.

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Acceptance of Terms

Please read this document carefully. By requesting, scheduling, or receiving services from Know Before You Dig Locates Inc., you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to these Terms of Service.

These terms apply to all services provided and are binding upon acceptance of a private utility locate report or related deliverables.

 

These Terms of Service supersede any prior agreements, proposals, purchase orders, work authorizations, or verbal representations unless expressly agreed to in writing by Know Before You Dig Locates Inc.

 

Know Before You Dig Locates Inc. reserves the right to update or modify these terms at any time. Continued use of services constitutes acceptance of the most current version.

 

Definitions

 

Client

A Client is any individual, company, partnership, public agency, property owner, contractor, consultant, or other entity that retains Know Before You Dig Locates Inc. to perform private utility locating or related services.

 

Excavator / Ground Disturber

An Excavator or Ground Disturber is any party performing or directing work that disturbs the ground surface, including excavation, drilling, boring, trenching, grading, cutting, coring, or any activity that could impact buried infrastructure.

 

Ground Disturbance

Ground disturbance includes any activity that disrupts soil, pavement, concrete, or subsurface materials. This includes, but is not limited to, excavation, drilling, augering, trenching, grading, saw cutting, milling, post installation, fence installation, tree planting, stump removal, blasting, and the movement of heavy loads off established roadways.

 

Scope and Limit of Locate

Private utility locating services are limited to the area, scope, and conditions identified at the time of service. Work performed outside the defined locate area requires a new or revised locate request.

 

Any changes to the work limits, site conditions, or scope of work after the locate has been completed invalidate the original locate and require additional services.

 

Validity of Locate

Unless otherwise stated in the locate report, a private utility locate is valid for sixty days. A re mark or new locate is required if:

• The locate validity period has expired

• Ground markings become unclear, damaged, displaced, or removed

• Ground markings do not align with the locate sketch or report

• Site conditions or work limits change

• Any event occurs that may affect the accuracy of the locate

 

Ground Markings and Documentation

Locate markings and documentation should be reviewed together. If markings do not correspond with the locate report or site sketch, the locate is considered invalid until corrected.

 

The Client is responsible for ensuring that all personnel working on the project receive and understand the locate report, limitations, and markings.

 

Public Utility Locates

Private utility locating does not replace or substitute public utility locates. Public utility owned facilities shown on a private locate report are provided for reference only and may be marked in survey colors.

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It remains the responsibility of the Client to obtain valid public utility locates through the appropriate provincial notification centre or utility owner prior to ground disturbance.

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Know Before You Dig Locates Inc. is not affiliated with Ontario One Call and does not provide no fee locate services.

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Access and Site Conditions

Accurate locating requires reasonable access to the work area and relevant building service rooms. Lack of access, obstructions, parked vehicles, equipment, stored materials, snow, surface coverings, or unsafe conditions may limit the ability to detect or mark buried facilities.

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The Client acknowledges that physical and environmental limitations may affect locate results.

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Interior Locates

Interior private locates are subject to additional limitations due to congestion, building construction, electromagnetic interference, concealed pathways, and inaccessible areas.

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Ground penetrating radar and electromagnetic locating equipment are used where feasible. Certain materials and depths may not be detectable using these methods.

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Sewer and Drainage Infrastructure

Sewer locating using CCTV cameras and sondes is performed only when requested and when access conditions allow. Sewer drawings, cleanouts, manholes, or catch basins may be required to perform tracing.

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Private sewer laterals, storm lines, and associated infrastructure may not be fully traceable due to access, material type, depth, or site conditions. Limitations will be documented in the locate report.

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Trunk sewers and municipal infrastructure located within easements may require coordination with the appropriate municipality or public locate authority.

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Underground Storage Tanks and Petroleum Infrastructure

Know Before You Dig Locates Inc. does not locate underground storage tanks or associated petroleum infrastructure unless specialized detection methods are specifically requested and deployed.

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Work near underground storage tanks, fuel systems, or defined critical areas requires non invasive excavation methods such as hand digging or vacuum excavation.

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Utility Locate Limitations and Technology

Private utility locating relies on geophysical methods consistent with ASCE Standard 38 Quality Level B. These methods reduce risk but do not eliminate it.

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Not all buried facilities are detectable due to material type, depth, tracer wire condition, soil composition, congestion, or physical laws. Absolute clearance cannot be guaranteed.

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Where precise horizontal or vertical information is required, direct exposure through Quality Level A methods is recommended.

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Reliance and Responsibility

Locate markings and reports are provided for planning and risk mitigation purposes. The Client and Excavator remain responsible for safe ground disturbance practices and damage prevention.

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The presence of a private utility locate does not relieve any party of responsibility for damages, personal injury, or property loss resulting from ground disturbance.

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Limitations and Disclosure

Any limitations noted in the locate report or site services checklist should be communicated to all parties involved in the project, including contractors, subcontractors, project managers, and property owners.

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Acceptance of a locate report with documented limitations constitutes acceptance of the associated risk.

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Liability Limitation

Know Before You Dig Locates Inc. is not liable for damages resulting from excavation, exposure, or interference with underground facilities.

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Liability for any claim arising from services provided is limited to the fees paid for the specific service giving rise to the claim.

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Know Before You Dig Locates Inc. is not responsible for damages where it was not promptly notified and given the opportunity to conduct a damage investigation.

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Best Effort Basis

All services are performed on a best effort and industry standard basis using accepted practices and available information at the time of service.

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