Another Verizon FiOS Install, Another Home Violated

from the yes,-again dept

Fri, Sep 7th 2007 4:27am — Carlo Longino

Last month, Verizon's PR folks went back and forth with a writer over whether or not one of their technicians actually started a fire at a customer's house when installing its FiOS service. The fire department says there was a fire, but Verizon denies that. In any case, the damage the installation caused was certainly significant, even if Verizon so generously paid for repairs. A month later, and look what's happened (again): a Verizon FiOS installer once again clipped an electrical wire, resulting in $2,650 worth of damage and a smoking house. Verizon's PR people are more than welcome to (again) argue about whether or not the smoke means there was fire, but regardless of their definition, these sorts of stories continue to pile up.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: fios, fire, installation
Companies: verizon

83 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

freak3dot, 7 Sep 2007 @ 5:05am

DIY
One reason why I install all my own structured wiring.

freak3dot
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 7 Sep 2007 @ 5:26am

I need new wiring, guess I'll call up Verizon!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Chuck Norris' Enemy (deceased), 7 Sep 2007 @ 6:24am
  
  Re:
  Do you need a new house, too?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Phlatus the Elder, 7 Sep 2007 @ 5:26am

Two (contested - not that Verizon has a lot of cred) fires out of how many installs? Now, what's the rate for other vendors? I'm no fan of Verizon, but I like this sort of media hype even less. Show us some facts, Carlo.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Mike C., 7 Sep 2007 @ 6:23am
  
  Re:
  Two (that have been in the news) out of how many? You obviously did not read the linked article, or you would have seen this quote:
  
  "But our electrician tells us ours was not the first botched Verizon installation he's been called out to fix."
  
  This one is in the news because it happened to a reporter during the install at his home. How many others have happened to people that are NOT reporters and are not "worthy" enough to be in the news?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- G the Younger, 7 Sep 2007 @ 7:00am
  
  Re:
  I agree about the media hype. I'm destracted from the story just because I looking for some hard facts, i don't need speculation and opinions. Oh yeah, i'm also no fan of Verizon.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- G the Younger, 7 Sep 2007 @ 7:07am
  
  Re:
  I just recently bought a house and all the repective service companies came out to install there stuff (security system, cable TV, highspeed internet, etc...). I told them all to leave what equipment i needed and I will do it all myself. If you are a person that can't do it yourself then that means you will have to either (1) trust the free/or paid install service from Verizon, or (2) go out and hire someone who can do it instead of Verizon. It is your job to hire someone responsible.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Haywood, 7 Sep 2007 @ 5:35am

No matter what you think you know
Or what anyone has told you, you are always taking that chance when you drill through a wall. Even if you have the original blueprint for the structure, that doesn't mean that it was followed to begin with, or hasn't been altered.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 14 May 2010 @ 12:37pm
  
  Re: No matter what you think you know
  This is SOOOO true. Every times a gamble. Experiance can tell you where things most likely are, but thats it. With that said, in my area, the VZ techs are completely inexperienced. They now have to be phone guys and cable guys. The have no experience in wiring, drilling holes,looking at the BIG picture within a house/apt and seeing the best way to run the wiring.
  A little training would go a long way.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Zaphod, 7 Sep 2007 @ 5:52am

Whatever
OK, this is pointing to Verizon. It doesn't even begin to comment about plumbers, electricians and other contractors that inadvertently damage homes let alone start house fires.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
angry dude, 7 Sep 2007 @ 6:44am

Little idiot Papa Carlo
Hey, little Papa Carlo

Are you getting your monthly check from Comcast, dude ?

This is ridiculous.

FIOS installation by Verizon is about 100 million times less dangerous to your house than instaling new gas furnace by your local HVAC contractor
Even if some idiot installer shotcuts electric wires and gets his ass burned so what's the point ?
I bet you will do no better, dude, judging from your comments on various technical matters.
Get a life, dude
Get a real job
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- TheDock22, 7 Sep 2007 @ 8:24am
  
  Re: Little idiot Papa Carlo
  FIOS installation by Verizon is about 100 million times less dangerous to your house than instaling new gas furnace by your local HVAC contractor
  
  Well duh, since gas is flammable, but it takes a mighty spark from electricity to start a fire. If you have to use an analogy to make your point, you have lost your argument.
  
  Even if some idiot installer shotcuts electric wires and gets his ass burned so what's the point ?
  
  The point is it happens with Verizon quite a bit. They do not take the time to properly train their installers. Just because there are two news stories does not mean Verizon does not screw up ALL the time. For example, last month some contractors (contracted by Verizon mind you) cut into a fiber optic cable for one of their main towers and 3/4 of the state went without cell phone service for an entire day (http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/05/09/news/state/42-verizon.txt). Did they give anyone a discount for the day? Nope.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Ha dude!, 20 Mar 2010 @ 7:35am
  
  Re: Little idiot Papa Carlo
  really? really? you must work for Verizon, otherwise you wouldn't be so insulted. get a life man and a new job. by the way Comcast does give me a weekly check!!
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
CZ, 7 Sep 2007 @ 6:49am

We owned up
Readers might be interested in Verizon's own blog post about this: http://policyblog.verizon.com/PolicyBlog/Blogs/policyblog/EricRabe9/362/FiOS-Smokes.aspx#When :19:30:35
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Rob P, 7 Sep 2007 @ 7:37am

I want it!
I just want FIOS...hate Verizon (and all Cell companies)..but want FIOS!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- king2u, 7 Sep 2007 @ 9:07am
  
  Re: I want it!
  Verizon is NOT a cell phone company!
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - TheDock22, 7 Sep 2007 @ 9:14am
    
    Re: Re: I want it!
    Then what are they? Is my Verizon cell phone an anomaly of the universe of something?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
GoblinJuice, 7 Sep 2007 @ 7:46am

Singe the walls and carpet, but give me fiber!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
RandomThoughts, 7 Sep 2007 @ 7:49am

I wonder how the Verizon guys blew up that garage? I can see a fire, but blowing up someone's garage?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
CigarMan, 7 Sep 2007 @ 8:15am

Verizon is not only screwing up on the installs. You should have been in my neighborhood when the ran the new high tech fiber cables underground using illegal aliens, oh I mean undocumented workers, with picks and shovels. Now verizon wouldn't get their hands dirty so they use a sub contractor to hire the workers. And they made a mess of the entire neighborhood, I especially like the 18" wide trench they cut accross my driveway apron and then patched.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- flower girl, 25 Jun 2008 @ 7:30pm
  
  Re: Patched driveway by verizon
  I don't understand how Verizon can damge your driveway and get away with only replacing the damaged part leaving the homeowner with a patch line and mismatched colors. I don't think this is fair--they should put it back the way it was before they wrecked it--even if they have to replace the whole thing!
  
  Angry homeowner.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- conserned original american, 22 Oct 2008 @ 12:12pm
  
  Re:
  Cigar boy obviously you need a history lesson I get a feeling you are not native to this land .I am an american indian. Every one of you belly aching bored people make me sick. do you not realize that every thing you do and products you use are brought on the railways put together by foreiners . several businsses have prospered because of forein white folks bringing forein black folks to my land .my land is connected to thier land they are more welcome then you ungreatful selfish people that use forien produced products every day.dude the grass will grow back then what will you have to bitch about . your neighbor? It is also obvious you are not firmiliar with GODS 10 laws. I would like you to remember that you will expire some day. ask yourself with this attitude you carry every day .do you think God will allow you to enter his gates I hope for your sake you do not pass your negetivity on to any children. you assume because they are spanish that they are illegal. shame on you. do people come up to you at your job and ask you for paper and documentation? you are a sad soul. i will say a prayer for you tonight. and for all the souls that agree with you and your petieness.go get your bible and your history books and educate yourself before you open your mouth with these polutants. these oppinions of yours are only adding to the decay of society like a bad apple. only takes one to wreck the bunch.AS THE GRASS GROWS BACK BEAUTIFUL WILL YOUR SOUL?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Mike Cebzanov, 26 Jan 2009 @ 9:00pm
  
  Re: Verizon
  In 2005 when Verizon was digging under our front lawn to install their equipment they or the sub contractors caused extensive damage to our driveway and in ground pool. They will not accept responsibility for their actions. They claim that ours was an isolated incident and they have had no other complaints on damage to other homes in our area. We find this hard to believe and in fact our next door neighbors above ground pool liner was ripped on the same day as our loss. They contacted Verizon and got the run around and they did not file a claim. Can you help us in any way or point us in the right direction to find out if any other home owners suffered damage due to Verizons incompetence? Thank you.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Raj, 29 May 2009 @ 4:30pm
    
    Re: Re: Verizon - driveway damage
    Hi Mike, I have a similar situation.. they damaged my brand new driveway. They damaged my sprinklers also but it was fixed promptly. I have called the subcontractor several times - everytime to leave message and open a new case number. The answering service person says she can't do anything other than opening case number of adding message to existing case. Were you able to get them to fix your driveway.. any advise please...
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - John A., 13 Jul 2009 @ 6:15pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: Verizon - driveway damage
      My driveway has cracked... directly in line with the cable they ran under ground. I've made several phone calls, and received no actions on Verizons part. I'm thinking the only way to handle this, is in small claims court.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- A Stack, 29 Mar 2010 @ 9:17am
  
  Re:
  So if you are so mad about the foreign labor why don't you apply for a job,or are you to busy collecting from the the government that you don't have time to work.Everyone likes to complain about foreign labor but they are all home during the day watching them work.Is the job to hard for you maybe to technical for you to understand.You like to say your drive way you mean the one on the utility row.If more American people wanted to work we would not have so many people from other countries doing it for us complain but you are sending the Mexico by letting the gov take care of you.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Overcast, 7 Sep 2007 @ 8:31am

Caveman see smoke... probably means fire there.
So simple, even a caveman can understand it.

Apparently; however, not Verizon.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
RandomThoughts, 7 Sep 2007 @ 8:47am

Actually, Verizon is using mostly subcontractors for installing FiOS. The reason they are doing this is it is a hell of a lot cheaper to have subcontractors do it rather than have their own high priced union workers do it.

This is exactly what cable companies do also. From what I have heard, the subcontractors do a pretty good job. As good or better than their regular technicians. It might say Verizon (or Cablevision or Cox or whatever) on the truck, but they could still be subcontractors.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Matthew, 7 Sep 2007 @ 8:48am

Classic Blog Post
Heavy on the criticism, light on factual content.

As a structured cabling provider, I see all kinds of crap. Most of the ISPs don't qualifty their vendors at all, other than to ask them if they can find an RJ21X jack with two hands.
In my experience, Verizon is actually one of the better providers, but its no surprise to me that "Verizon" branded techs have started a few fires. Actually, I'm surprised more ISPs aren't in more deep doo-doo over stuff like this.

I would like to see some real information here, instead of just this rumour mill crud. Give us the real deal = who, what, when, where stuff - names, dates, places.
Otherwise this is just wild speculation.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Nilt, 7 Sep 2007 @ 8:48am

No excuse for hitting AC lines
"you are always taking that chance when you drill through a wall. Even if you have the original blueprint for the structure, that doesn't mean that it was followed to begin with, or hasn't been altered."

That's correct to a limited extent. The tools certainly exist to verify if there's AC active in a wall. Any competent installer would be checking prior to drilling, especially since they're usually working near the freaking power demarc as well. Water pipes, OTOH, can't be as easily detected. :-
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
JB, 7 Sep 2007 @ 9:20am

Sub Contractors
Here in the San Antonio area, and I'm very sure most of south Texas, if it were not for the large amount of illegals no construction, not just fiber installs, would get done. They are truly the backbone around here and most are very hard workers, albeit there will be bad apples in every race, but for the most part they do good work.

What makes me laugh is the amount of AT&T workers it takes to install a new switching box in my neighborhood. There have been no less than 10, 2 man crews outside my backyard here in Schertz Texas for more than 1 week. Now that seems like a waste of manpower.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
billfish676, 7 Sep 2007 @ 10:58am

Another Verizon FIOS install
Accidents happen to everyone & every company. If Verizon damaged something, they will fix it. Here is an article about the customer's home who suffered the fire damage:Sounds to me like the homeowner is satisfied & understands that accidents happen.

AP
Review: After Smoke Clears, FiOS a Hit
Wednesday September 5, 5:47 pm ET
By John Wilen, AP Business Writer
Review: Verizon's FiOS Service Is a Hit, Installation Problems Aside

NEW YORK (AP) -- If the installers hadn't almost burned my house down, I'd say Verizon's new cable television and high speed Internet service was fantastic.
In fact, ever since the smoke cleared, I've enjoyed more than 100 TV channels, a responsive remote and fast Internet connection that rarely falters. If the installers figure out how to tell where power lines run in a wall, the service is nearly flawless.

ADVERTISEMENT

Verizon Communications Inc., for those keeping score, is a telephone company that's been branching out into other things, such as cable TV. Cable companies, meanwhile, are broadening their offerings to include high-speed Internet and telephone service.

Verizon, which serves 28 states and Washington, D.C., is spending $23 billion to make fiber-optic connections -- which it calls FiOS -- available to 18 million homes by 2010. By bypassing the old copper phone lines, the company has much more bandwidth available than anyone else. (AT&T Inc. also is upgrading its service with fiber, though the cables do not extend all the way to each home.)

While it's been available where I live for a while, it wasn't until I moved within the Philadelphia suburbs that the company made me a pitch that was too good to refuse: All my telecom services -- landline, cell phone, cable and Internet -- on one bill.

The package is about $200, $10 a month more than it used to cost me to buy cable from Comcast, and my landline, Internet and wireless services from Verizon or Verizon Wireless. But I figured that $10 was worth it for faster Internet speeds of up to 5 megabits per second downstream (and 2 Mbps upstream) and 150 free cable channels -- dozens more than I was getting from Comcast. Verizon threw in a voice mail box, caller identification service and unlimited calling with no extra charge.

And, I'll admit, I was more than ready to stick it in Comcast's eye after years of consistent 5 percent annual price hikes, mediocre equipment and a remote that barely worked.

I knew I was taking a risk, but how bad can cable TV delivered by a phone company be? Pretty good, as it turns out.

Though my 26-inch Samsung set couldn't take advantage of the service's high-definition offerings, the standard-definition picture quality was at least as good as offered by Comcast.

Verizon's remote and set-top box provided work amazingly well, compared to the Comcast equipment I was using. All the usual channels appear to be there, plus some. On the sports front, I've gained several new versions of ESPN, I now have the NFL Network, and I didn't lose Comcast SportsNet (the two rivals inked a deal letting Verizon carry CSN, home of many local Phillies, Sixers and Flyers games, last year).

We've also benefited from channel inflation in home improvement and cooking networks, and gained a slew of new nature, science and history-related channels, many of which I'd never heard of. One, DIY, repeats some of our favorite shows from other networks, letting us catch programs we used to miss. We've also gained children's channels such as Noggin.

On the Internet side the service has been exemplary. Whereas our old DSL modem had to be reset frequently, I've only had to reset our FiOS modem once. It may be a tad slower than a cable connection, but unless you're downloading gobs of big files, who's the wiser? It's more than fast enough for Webkinz and the occasional cartoon or game.

The landline works and sounds just fine, though it's not your grandfather's phone service -- power isn't supplied over the network. Verizon does provide an eight-hour backup battery to help you through blackouts (we've fortunately not experienced any yet).

There was no change to our cell phone service, which we've had through Verizon Wireless for several years now (for the record, the coverage in Bucks County, Pa., is better than Cingular, our previous provider).

One complaint is the lack of documentation. I'm not normally a big manual reader, but a simple channel guide would have been nice (I've since found one online). And to use the voice mail service that came with the FiOS phone connection, I had to call an operator, then an 800 number, then suffer through several transfers before finding someone who could give me basic instructions (such as which number to dial to retrieve voice mail messages, for instance).

And there is the small matter of installation. When Verizon runs fiber to your house, the company needs to install a box on an inside wall. It was in drilling through a wall to connect that box to a fiber conduit that our installer hit an electrical wire. That knocked the power out and left our electrical box -- and the front of the house -- smoking.

The technicians compounded this error by insisting that we pay for the electrical repairs, then bill them. We'd be reimbursed in 30 days, they assured us. My wife was having none of that. Verizon's insurance company cut us a check for the $2,650 repair within days.

We got a brand-new electrical box out of the deal, for free. But our electrician tells us ours was not the first botched Verizon installation he's been called out to fix.

For its part, Verizon was very apologetic. That's fine, but I want to know how many other people have had similar installation problems.

Very few, Verizon spokeswoman Sharon Shaffer assured me.

"This particular occurrence and the extent of the damage is rare," Shaffer said.

The technician did apparently get a talking-to.

"The training on installation procedures was reviewed with the technician," Shaffer said.

I'm sure the our incident was rare, and all's well that ends well, as far as I'm concerned.

Now, give me that remote.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Hummmmm, 19 Dec 2007 @ 8:27pm
  
  Re: Another Verizon FIOS install
  Ok verizon caught my house on fire today installing FIOS...actually we never got that far as the tech. drilled into the main power source to our home. The fire department cut a wall in our home and the electrician sent by Verizon cut an even bigger hole by the electrical panel box. Verizon paid for the electrician and is paying for the handiman. However, now I'm not so sure I want them back to do even more work. How common is this?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
RandomThoughts, 7 Sep 2007 @ 1:36pm

"The technician did apparently get a talking-to."

I wonder how that went? "Don't burn down our customers house anymore, ok?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Clueby4, 7 Sep 2007 @ 6:17pm

Universal Apologist - DIAF
WTF is with all you flapping apologist, there is no reason for these incidents to occur in the first place, they simply failed to check for wiring, which is quite easy to do. Blueprints and non-standard wiring are non-issues if you perform the appropriate steps to check for wiring.

And bringing up "plumbers, electricians and other contractors" has no bearing on this discussion, WHAT SO EVER!!! I mean really, why not obtusely say "Well at least they didn't take a nap on your couch" or "Video captured your wife taking a shower"

I mean really, what is the deal with some of you chuckleheads dreaming up excuses for stuff like this?

Are you projecting your own incompetence? Hoping to lower expectations?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
notverizon, 10 Sep 2007 @ 10:27am

In my old Plano neighborhood, FIOS cut the gas lines twice causing evacuation of our block. They also left a heap of dirt in my side yard for a month.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 13 Nov 2007 @ 9:10am

I am trying to talk to them they are in my yard and not one speaks English!!!! they dug up my plants my tree wtf!! is wrong I will won't have anything to do with verizon. I took pics
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Emmanuel Nwokolo, 16 Nov 2007 @ 12:30pm

Damage to my property by Verizon FIOS contractor
On November 5, verizon contractors were digging in front of my house to install their bright orange cables on our street. The equipment used and the digging caused a lot of vibrations in my house and my wife went out to ask them what exactly was going on. Later that day, we discovered that a mantlepiece on which we had family pictures and ornaments had crashed down and broken the pictures and ornaments. The contractors had gone by that time. We called several verizon numbers but nobody could help. We also sent two letters, one to their office in Baltimore and the other to their office in Beltsville, along with pictures of the damage. There has been no response. Can anybody tell me how to get a response out of Verizon?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
John, 15 Dec 2007 @ 12:52pm

On November 19, 2007 We had Verizon install our Cable,Phone, and Fiber optic line package installed. After a week I noticed a bump in my carpet, and on further investigation I saw that the installer ran two cables under my carpet. The installer ripped the carpet and removed the screws from the closet track. This was an obvious shortcut for the installer (He had access to the basement and was given permission to run the wires from the basement. At the time of the installation my daughter who is eighteen years old was home. I could not be there because i had to work. I have called numerous times with no promised calls back. i have also emailed them only to get an auto message back from them to troubleshoot my own issues. I only wanted them to come to my apartment and assess the damage made by the installer and possibly fix it.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
carebear, 30 Jan 2008 @ 11:23am

smoke==fire
sounds like all new wires
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Ronald Shields, 13 Mar 2008 @ 7:13am

Verizon FiOS and fire
It's amazing to see how many of the FiOS installs have resulted in FiRE and emotional distress to unsuspecting homeowners. On 12/10/07 while my wife was in the hospital we were scheduled for a FiOS install. The tech began drilling through the exterior foundation with no brace on his drill. He drilled into the main power line for our home. Good thing I was home and knew to immediately go to the main breaker once I smelled the burning and smoke. The tech stayed outside - it never occurred to him to bang on the door to gain entrance to shut off the breaker. For the next three months my wife and I would fight with Verizon to make the repairs and compensate us for the damage caused. The other thing is that the advertised rate of the triple play bundle is 30% less that what is actually billed. What a rip! Who holds them accountable!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Sus, 25 Mar 2008 @ 9:11pm

Verizon subcontractor caused a flood
Anyone else having property damage after Fios subcontractors installing cables?? I had a HUGE Flood in my basement..destroying 31 yrs of stuff...carpeting, walls, etc. OF COURSE, Verizon is sayoing "not their fault" I have gotten the run around from Verizon since late Feb. ANYONE know what I can do???? Help!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Sus, 25 Mar 2008 @ 9:16pm

Verizon subcontractor caused a flood
Anyone else having property damage after Fios subcontractors installing cables?? I had a HUGE Flood in my basement..destroying 31 yrs of stuff...carpeting, walls, etc. OF COURSE, Verizon is sayoing "not their fault" I have gotten the run around from Verizon since late Feb. ANYONE know what I can do???? Help!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Wendy, 8 Jan 2009 @ 5:06pm
  
  Re: Verizon subcontractor caused a flood
  Hello,
  
  I had the exact same problem at my brand new house. Flooded basement, and our builder was even present to tell the Verizon service person not to install the FioS with our sump pump, but apparently he didn't listen and did it anyways without our knowledge. Who can we contact to get help? Have you had any luck?
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Mike Cebzanov, 26 Jan 2009 @ 9:04pm
  
  Re: Verizon subcontractor caused a flood
  In 2005 when Verizon was digging under our front lawn to install their equipment they or the sub contractors caused extensive damage to our driveway and in ground pool. They will not accept responsibility for their actions. They claim that ours was an isolated incident and they have had no other complaints on damage to other homes in our area. We find this hard to believe and in fact our next door neighbors above ground pool liner was ripped on the same day as our loss. They contacted Verizon and got the run around and they did not file a claim. Can you help us in any way or point us in the right direction to find out if any other home owners suffered damage due to Verizons incompetence? Thank you.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Bilal Ciftci, 29 Apr 2009 @ 12:39pm
    
    Re: Re: Verizon subcontractor caused a flood
    Hi Mike
    
    Verizon guys did the same thing to my front yard. Did you find a contact to fix your lawn. If so could you please send me that.
    
    Thanks
    Bilal
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Mary, 21 Jun 2009 @ 9:20am
    
    Re: Re: Verizon subcontractor caused a flood
    I am having such problems with the fios installation they broke my sump pump pipe causing extensive damage (2x). I would tell you more but it's a long story. I went to town hall and requested a copy of the permit Verizon applied for (it's only a few dollars) on the permit is a telephone and fax number of the contractor of record. It's the contractor's responsibility (you can check if they have a contractor's license in your state with the Division of Consumer Affairs). Also contact the Board of Public Utilities to file a complaint. They are responsible for granting Verizon and other companies the right of way to dig. I have such a headache on my hands. I am getting the run around and no one wants to pay. Hopefully this will help anyone dealing with them.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
FastFusion, 12 Apr 2008 @ 11:43pm

Contractors and Subs are suppose to be Insured
Ask the contractor for a copy of thier Insurance Certificate before the install starts. Take pictures before the install. Take the day off from work and watch the work being done. As for undocumented workers. Call ICE and watch the $25,000.00 fine per man start. If the installers cut through a cable or pipe call the fire dept and get a report. Then call your homeowners insurance or Apt insurance company.

I install and service LARGE HVAC equipment and our company is a welding and boiler company. We do not make mistakes. We are trained. I have installed hundreds of runs in homes from refrigerant lines to Romex/BX/MC/EMT and Cable/Phone/Power/Gas/water/Pex/CSST lines. Never did I cut into any type of line. We solder inside walls, attics and basements(no fires yet in 25 yrs). Check before drilling. Stop at the first hole and use the bit to probe around inside the wall (with the drill stopped of course). We now use a Ridged See Snake hand held camera with a 3 ft lead to look. It cost $220 dollars (here in NJ).

If they work in your unfinished basement make sure they run the wire parralel to the beams so later on you can sheet rock the basement ceiling if you want. DONT let the installer jump beams with wires, cable or pipe. If they have to jump beams make them drill holes and pull the wire or pipe through the holes. Make sure the holes are drilled in the center of the beams so nails from sheet rocking wont pierce the work. If they did this they are professional. If not call them back and make them fix it for free.

Call Consumer affairs and Better Business (BBB) and file a complaint. Call the Town were you live and complain to the permit dept. Find out who the Inspector is for your municipality is and call them. You can call the Plumbing or Electrical Board in your state and file a complaint there. In NJ you need to be Licensed to install low voltage wiring or Gas, Domestic Water etc.. Also need to be a registered business and prove INSURANCE to get a contractors License.

If you think the contractor is NOT qualified ask them to leave and call the prime contractor (Verizon, Att, Comcast, Plumbers, electricians etc...) and tell them to send someone else.

Do your homework. And always use qualified craftsmen and mechanics. We arn't cheep. But it's your home or business we're talking about. Be prepared to pay the price for quality work.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Chris Foley, 7 Feb 2009 @ 5:58pm
  
  Re: Contractors and Subs are suppose to be Insured
  Yeah im sorry people, but for quality, trained, installers of anything, you're not going to get it for 30 bucks or free on a promo. I am a low-voltage electrician, specializing in A/V, data/phone, cable/sat... etc. When we do installs on multi-million dollar homes, we stop the sub at the demarc, they do not HAVE to come in for anything, Verizon has to install their power supply unit inside somewhere, but that is in the fine print if you read it. Just never expect these guys to do the job a licensed pro would do, it's not their fault, it's a good paying job, and they are unfortunately not trained well, most of the time. Actually I recently had FiOS installed, and the installer and his trainee were possibly the BEST subs I have met, and I have met quite a few, sat, cable, whatever. The one thing I like about the subs that did my house is that they get paid hourly, not by the outlet, none of that sales crap... so they just do the job. I have had cable and sat guys go into a structured wiring can and clip dozens of F-connectors going out to the rest of the house, just so they could re-terminate it and say they activated the outlet. The problem is their pay structure, and I know the local cable company (one of the biggest) are the worst about this, second by the larger sat company. Anyways, best advice, be home, read the fine print, and don't let them just blast holes with an 18" drill bit. If they seem incompentent, take a small TV, extension cord, and take it to the demarc, and tell them to 'activate' what they need to there, they do NOT need to do anything else, you're better off hiring a pro or figuring it out yourself.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Shirley copland, 20 Apr 2008 @ 2:16pm

Fios installation disrepair
Shorty after the Verizon sub-contractors installed the FIOS cable to the house I was left with a busted pipe for my springler system. The customer service people never informed me that the installers would arrive a day before the scheduled date to dig up my yard and leave me a bigger bill than anticipated.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
fos install contractor, 30 May 2008 @ 12:14pm

get over yourselves
look ive installed as a contractor in oregon for 8 years,both comcast and verizon.each istall is different everybody has a different expirence and it dictates how they fell about things.i have seen alot off bad installs from all installers be inhouse or contrator,evan hvac,sparkies and plumbers have bad installs some are better at fixing the problem onsite.as far as (undocumented) workers yea its a fact of life this day and age.you should not bang conntractors just cause you have a bad install it happens we are americans to and we have kids think about that before you crush peoples wellbeing i would not try to take your job from you dont take mine!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- ANGRY AMERICAN, 4 Jul 2008 @ 9:13am
  
  Re: get over yourselves
  Dear Undocumented worker,
  
  If you are in the US illegally, could you please provide some information to the INS so that they can help to get you and your family home.
  
  The consumer has a right to not have their home and property destroyed and I do not care who you are that is a fact. If you don't have the proper training or tools you should not be providing the service. Talk about taking your job, if you are not properly performing your work you have absolutly no right to it.
  
  Sincerely, Customer
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - A STACK, 29 Mar 2010 @ 9:27am
    
    Re: Re: get over yourselves
    That is correct that is proably why the foriegn labor is doing the job because the Americans have lost the work ethic that it takes to run a shovel.How do you know they are illegal did you ask?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Anonymous Coward, 17 Feb 2009 @ 1:15pm
  
  Re: get over yourselves
  Get over yourself. Nobody here is saying you have to be perfect just admit and fix it when your not. What do kids or someone taking your job have to do with this FIOS installs have been getting screwed up all over our country, the problem is Verizon doesn't gives it's customers any way to complain or get problem resolution. As for undocumented workers you may thinks it's a part of this day and age, but it'still illegal that's why their called illegal aliens. And nobody will take your job if you do it right. Ive rarely heard of someone getting fired for doing their job well.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Observer, 16 Jun 2008 @ 6:06pm

VERIZON STARTED A FIRE - BY KARL ROVE
ANOTHER OF THE MILLIONS OF LIES THAT ROVE SPREADS...

THEY NEVER CAUGHT ROVE FOR THE ANTHRAX LETTERS....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
mr wood, 25 Jun 2008 @ 4:52pm

verizon fios installs
this report is completely biased, lacking of facts, and one sided. how many other companies are out there doing this type of work and what are their statistics on house damage? Charter? Time Warner? Cox? Dish Network? Direct Tv? etc etc... get some facts before you start bashing a company. what's your agenda?
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
verizon not my friend, 31 Jul 2008 @ 6:11pm

Verizon was at my property today before they came my property was cared for by me with love my yard looked like a green carpet. my sprikler system while maybe not as good as some others it worked well in my yard and though my driveway had some cracks well NOW my yard, my sprinklers, my driveway will never be the same it brakes my heart to look at it and now I am told they will be putting in a big box of some kind on each side of my property They say verizon fiber optics is the future the future I see thanks to verizon doesn't look good from my front window.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Texas, 15 Aug 2008 @ 8:17pm

Time Warner/ATX
May 15th Time Warner Cable subcontracted ATX to install cable television, regular internet, wireless internet, and take over my existing local/long distance phone service. The installer disappeared as soon as he arrived. I finally located him at the side of my house and proceeded to tell him I had ordered the drilling to go through the attic despite the additional charges. He told me I needed to move the entertainment center which involved moving the DVD,VCR, stereo, TV, movies-VHS and DVD. After which he drilled through the wall not behind the huge entertainment center I had moved, but 18 inches to the right and through the aluminum siding and brick not through the attic as I specified on the phone when placing my order and again in person.

He also trampled my wood fern flower bed while moving his ladder not once not twice but back and forth and back and forth as if he was deeply entranced in a game of "hokey pokey." I contacted Time Warner and ATX repeatedly and after 6 weeks I was offered $1000 to fix the hole in my living room, the flower bed, and the aluminum siding holes (2). The construction contractor said he couldn't fix my issues for less than $5200 considering they don't even make aluminum siding anymore. They said their insurance company would be in touch since $1000 was their authorized limit. That was 7 weeks ago. Today I called the corporate head quarters in New York and pleasantly explained my ridiculous situation and within an hour I heard from 4 different individuals working for Time Warner. I now have a claim number, a new contact name, and another phone number this time it's the Hartford Insurance Company. So we'll see. This has been crazy. I really have to laugh at this point. All I wanted was to watch some TV while resting my bones a little when I got some free time and all this is the result. I am amazed how these people appear to have the Forest Gump gene.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Bryan, 7 Sep 2008 @ 12:53pm

House almost caught fire
I too have had the same problem, Our cable line going to our house was fried, melted and mangled. I am a Comcast Customer, and I found out that Verizon Cut the Lines to the Comcast Main Cable Box, possibly cut the wires to my house to hide the damage, and whatever else they did caused a short that fried my cable line, seriously damaged my fridge, and completely destroyed my XBox 360 and Nintendo WII... The craziest part?? Both the XBOX and WII were on a surge protector. This company almost burned my house down, and all I got was attitude from them as if I was inconveniencing them for calling!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
broadbandguy, 23 Oct 2008 @ 7:02pm

Waa...Waa...Waa
You obviously have never been involved with a major overbuild/build out. In fact, the only ones who can claim they have such experience are the original linemen who built the MA Bells. The fact of the matter is, the bigger the FiOS monster grows, the more you will hear stories like this. No one likes this stuff to happen, but it is the nature of the beast, with a project of this magnitude. Unless the installers are doing pre-wire, they cannot see through the walls. Yes they use locator's and such, but it's a numbers game, eventually something is gonna get hit. Let's see FiOS now has over 1 million customers, and how many stories like this??? Not bad odds. So deal with the growing pains, and when all is said and done, roll-over CATV!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
JK in Virginia, 31 Oct 2008 @ 8:00pm

Verizon's a NIGHTMARE
Stay awaaaay from Verizon. They are hideous. They put me through hell and I finally got so disgusted, cancelled EVERYTHING and went with Cox Cable for phone, tv and internet. I now live in a Verizon free zone, hallelua!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
JK in Virginia, 31 Oct 2008 @ 8:07pm

Verizon's a NIGHTMARE
Stay awaaaay from Verizon. They are hideous. They put me through hell and I finally got so disgusted, cancelled EVERYTHING and went with Cox Cable for phone, tv and internet. I now live in a Verizon free zone, hallelua!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Suzanne, 24 Nov 2008 @ 2:23pm

Wow..
All this talk about Verizon's dirty tactics has got me worried. My mom recently scheduled to have Verizon come to our house and install the Fios crap and we can try it for 2 weeks.. but with all the BS about removing the copper wiring and then not being able to go back to what we had if we don't like it?? That's BS. And I don't even wanna tell my mom the horror stories I just read about. x-o I'll just tell her to cancel it. My dad used to have Verizon and always got the run-around from f'n stupid tech support people from India & the Phillipines, who you can't really understand and don't really help you anyway. Since he switched to Cox, he's never had a moment's trouble with his internet. I think I'll just tell Ma to go with Cox. :-)
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
rhsmsw, 28 Dec 2008 @ 5:07pm

Veizon scam machine
verizon came knocking at my door last year and signed us up for a two year contract, two TV's one HD and longdistnece service, this was for the promotion of a 19 inch colorTV, guess what we did not get? give up yes the color TV and long istence service.
There representitive very nasty said if we cancel they will charge us $200.00 cancelation fee, my advice is keep away from verizon fios....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Joe Helter, 11 Jan 2009 @ 6:37am

Fios
If you see Verizon Fios people coming to install call 911.
Don't let them in. Bolt the doors and prepare for the worst.

These guys are goons and will wreck your home, property and anything in sight.

Fios sucks.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Michael Cebzanov, 26 Jan 2009 @ 8:53pm

Verizon
In 2005 when Verizon was digging under our front lawn to install their equipment they or the sub contractors caused extensive damage to our driveway and in ground pool. They will not accept responsibility for their actions. They claim that ours was an isolated incident and they have had no other complaints on damage to other homes in our area. We find this hard to believe and in fact our next door neighbors above ground pool liner was ripped on the same day as our loss. They contacted Verizon and got the run around and they did not file a claim. Can you help us in any way or point us in the right direction to find out if any other home owners suffered damage due to Verizons incompetence? Thank you.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
john, 27 Feb 2009 @ 7:38am

comm tech
if you drilled through a wire you would ground out the circut kicking the breaker preventing a fire thats why you have breakers
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Anonymous Coward, 4 Mar 2009 @ 9:03pm

One of my friends was having a sewer line serviced in her yard when the Verizon line was cut. After notifying Verizon of teh problem, they sent a crew out to repair the line but charged my friend $300. She is being contacted from a "claim" office in Oklahoma who is demanding the money. Beware.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Mark, 19 May 2009 @ 4:09pm

Another FIOS install damage
Had Verizon FIOS install in the fall. A sub trenched and put their orange cable in. I had all lines, including sprinkler lines marked. The sprinkler system was off and drained prior to install. Sub told me they hit one line and repaired (I marked it so I knew where it was). Well turned on the system today and found they cut another line and hadn't repaired. Not only was the water supply line cut, but the control cable as well. Going to have the irrigation company repair and see if I can submit the amount to Verizon. From what I've read here, that free install will probably end up costing me more in the long run....
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Mark, 30 May 2009 @ 5:38pm

Looks like I was lucky
I was fortunate that on the day of the install the subcontractor gave me a biz card. I had stuck it in my wallet and almost threw it out 2 days before I found the damaged irrigation pipe as I couldn't remember what it was for (install done 8 mos. ago), but for some reason I kept it and remembered. I emailed the sub listed on the card and what do you know they responded and said they would pay for the repair. I had my irrigation company do the repair and faxed the invoice to the sub. I am awaiting the check, so hopefully this will work out. Lesson learned is to deal with whoever does the install and not Verizon itself.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
sharon, 23 Jun 2009 @ 4:13pm

verizon fios
Wow! That's all I can say after reading all of these horror stories about verizon fios. I was waiting for them to get fios in my area before getting any package but I think now I'll just stick to directv or comcast. Wow!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Electrical Rewiring, 2 Jul 2009 @ 11:53pm

Electrical Rewiring
Nice informative post
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- John Adelsberger, 13 Jul 2009 @ 5:52pm
  
  Re: Electrical Rewiring
  Installer ran their Fios under my concrete driveway, which caused it to crack in two places. I've contacted the Verizon claims department, and have gotten nothing but a big runaround. The claims examiner hasn't even sent anyone to look at my damage. They are hoping I'll just go away. ONly place I'm going is to small claims court.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
A Stack, 29 Mar 2010 @ 9:07am

FIOS
I install FIOS and everyone likes to blame Verizon/UG Contractors for anything that happens,did you ever stop to think that maybe some of the problems just might go back to the UG marking co.[MISS UTILITY] not all the lines that they mark are marked correctly.When a damage occurs all you hear is that a line was damaged not if it was marked correctly.We don't have xray eyes we can't see ug we rely on correct markings.I have done jobs at houses and the homeowner say to me my concrete is cracked so Verizon will have to buy me new,well it was cracked when we arrived and I have pictures to prove it,well my grass is torn up,well you didn't have grass when we arrived.One lady said that we cracked her foundation to her house,we weren't even on her prop.Every since I have started ny business I have seen more something for nothing people than you could imagine.Are all contractors good NO are all homeowners telling the truth NO make up your own mind about what happens in your yard not the guy down the street you might not know the whole story.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Lisa, 17 Sep 2010 @ 3:31pm

Verizon fios
They came in to install fios and almost blew up my house.The tech drilled a hole in my electrical wire causing half my house to lose power. Then proceeded to drill another hole and guess what lost powe in the other half. He got here at 9:15 am and didn't leave till 6:00 pm. The tech decided to fix the problem himself even though he's not an electrician he tried to rewire my fuse box with two new wires to replace the ones he drilled through. He caused my oven, dishwasher, microwave and computer to fry. Now I have to wait for them to pay me to fix this era so please becareful I know we all try to save money but with all the aggravation and damage is it really worth it
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Lisa Timpe, 29 Sep 2010 @ 9:08am

Verizon fio screw up
Had fios installed tech hit electrical wire twice then he tried to repair by rewiring my electrician says he repeatedly surged my house. He caused 5,600.00 in seeable damage not including my oven dishwasher microwave computer and waterheater not sure what else I only have 1/2pf my power. 2 weeks later and still no help
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Miami Fire Damage Cleanup, 13 Dec 2010 @ 10:16pm

Miami Fire Damage Cleanup
If you're in the midst of making an offer on a home, you're likely going to be having the property in question inspected by a professional home inspector. It's recommended that you do some thorough research before hiring an inspector.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Greg Roberti, 23 Jul 2011 @ 8:40am

Ripped Poster
Had FiOS installed yesterday by a less than knowledgeable technician who couldn't answer simple questions about port forwarding for my router. In any case, the guy left and when I went to put my room back together I noticed he had torn a poster halfway off my wall..
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Sara Moore, 27 Jul 2011 @ 6:21am

what can be done about this?
Our residence sits on the corner of a cul-de-sac where the Verizon fiber drop feeds the cul-de-sac (our house plus 4 others). Several years ago when Verizon installed FIOS for the first time they came and installed the fiber to the homes by digging a trench across our front lawn and across the front lawns of the 4 other homes in our cul-de-sac. When researching this (after the fact) I learned they should have gone along our easement line which runs the perimeter behind our house. We landscaped our front lawn shortly thereafter because of the mess they created and laid new sod...however, during that process the crew cut the FIOS line because it was only buried
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
- vz tech, 31 Aug 2011 @ 5:37am
  
  Re: what can be done about this?
  Nothing. Because you are wrong. Look at your deed. I guarantee there is an easement or right-of-way im the front of your house. I can almost bet the Verizon lines are in the road right-of-way. Yes, it extends into your front yard.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Chris Egan, 31 Jan 2014 @ 10:47pm

BROKE XBOX AND DAMAGED OTHER ITEMS!
I was less than pleased when my parents decided to switch to FiOS and was even less impressed when an oil candle that was on the basement wall unit "leaked" as the installer put it, which was due to his absolutely stupid idea of running the wires from the back of the box up and around the top of the wall unit rather than through the back like anyone with common sense would do. the oil happened to leak and it had gotten on my brother's xbox which then broke within a short period of time. A few other items were damaged too due to being KNOCKED OVER! A few days later another installer fixed the way the box was wired and made a remark that "the last guy didn't know what he was doing" if the statute of limitations has not run out it would be great if we could sue either the installer, company or both! I have nothing but bad to say about Verizon as a whole and will never buy any service from them for myself!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
James Boss, 2 Nov 2014 @ 12:23am

Kitchen remodeling nyc
With more than five decades of experience, we can handle your residential or commercial water heater repair needs today. Call (800) 664-8454!
http://www.aladdinplumbing.com/water-heater-repair/
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Magdalena Salemno, 20 Dec 2017 @ 6:32pm

Poor Old man just lost his electrical baseboards
Technician came out even though we declined services. He drilled through the house. The only available heat is electrical baseboards and now we no longer have heat. Talk about Fire hazard. Who can I call to file charges? He lives on $652/month social security. He doesn't have the money to repair the damage they caused.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]