Terms of Service

1. Introduction & Acceptance

Welcome to Utility Hotline. These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Hydrovac News LLC, doing business as Utility Hotline ("we," "us," or "our"), governing your access to and use of the website utilityhotline.org and all related services, including our provider network and quote request system (collectively, the "Platform").

By accessing or using our Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not access or use the Platform.

You must be at least 18 years of age to use this Platform. By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

If you are using the Platform on behalf of a business or other legal entity, you represent that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms.

2. Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms, the following definitions apply:

• "Platform" refers to the Utility Hotline website, mobile applications, APIs, and all related services.
• "Provider" refers to any private utility locating company or individual contractor that registers to be listed in our network.
• "Customer" refers to any individual or entity seeking private utility locating services through the Platform.
• "User" refers to any person who accesses or uses the Platform, including both Providers and Customers.
• "Quote Request" refers to a Customer's submission seeking pricing or availability information from Providers.
• "Content" refers to any text, images, logos, company information, or other materials submitted to the Platform.
• "Services" refers to the private utility locating services provided by Providers to Customers, which are separate from the Platform services we provide.

3. Description of Services

Utility Hotline provides an online directory and quote-request service that connects Customers seeking private utility locating services with Providers who offer such services.

What We Provide

• A searchable network of private utility locating providers
• A quote request system for Customers to receive competitive bids
• Communication tools to connect Customers and Providers
• A free network listing for any qualified locating provider
• Educational resources about private utility locating

What We Do Not Provide

All private utility locating services are performed by independent third-party Providers. Users must independently verify Provider qualifications, licensing, insurance, and suitability for their specific project needs.

4. User Accounts

Account Registration

Certain features of the Platform require account registration. When you create an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of your login credentials
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access

Account Types

We offer two types of accounts:

• Provider Accounts: For locating companies seeking to be listed in our network and receive quote requests
• Customer Accounts: For individuals or businesses seeking locating services (optional; quote requests can also be submitted without an account)

Account Security

We use passwordless authentication via email magic links for Provider accounts. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your email account and must notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.

Admin-Provisioned Accounts

In some cases, a Provider account may be created by our administrative team on behalf of a company that has contacted us and requested to be listed in our network. When we create an account on your behalf:

• We will use the information you provide to us by email or other correspondence to populate your listing
• You will receive a welcome email confirming your listing and providing instructions to access and manage your account
• By requesting that we create your listing, you agree to these Terms of Service, our Privacy Policy, and consent to receive quote requests and communications related to our services
• You may update, correct, or request deletion of your account information at any time by contacting us or through your Provider Dashboard

Admin-provisioned accounts are subject to the same terms, obligations, and rights as self-registered accounts. If you did not request an account and believe one was created in error, please contact us immediately at support@utilityhotline.org.

5. Provider-Specific Terms

If you register as a Provider, the following additional terms apply:

Free Network Listing

Provider listings on Utility Hotline are free. There are no subscription fees, per-lead charges, or premium tiers. You may request removal of your listing at any time by contacting support@utilityhotline.org.

Listing Requirements

As a Provider, you represent and warrant that:

• You are a legitimate utility locating business operating legally
• All information in your listing is accurate and up-to-date
• You hold all required licenses, permits, and insurance for your service areas
• You have the rights to any logos, photos, or content you submit
• You will respond to quote requests in a timely and professional manner

Platform Content Management

We reserve the right to review, edit, modify, correct, or remove any Provider listing content at any time, for any reason, including but not limited to:

• Correcting inaccuracies or typographical errors
• Ensuring compliance with our policies and applicable laws
• Removing prohibited, misleading, or inappropriate content
• Updating contact information at Provider request
• Improving the quality and consistency of network listings

We will make reasonable efforts to notify you via email of material changes to your listing. You are responsible for reviewing your listing periodically to confirm its accuracy. If you believe any changes made to your listing are incorrect, please contact us at support@utilityhotline.org.

Certifications & Ownership Designations

Safety certifications (e.g., OSHA 30, ISNetworld), ownership designations (e.g., Veteran Owned, Woman Owned, Minority Owned), and similar credentials displayed on your listing are self-reported by you. You represent and warrant that any certifications or designations you claim are accurate and current. Utility Hotline does not independently verify these claims and is not responsible for their accuracy.

Falsely claiming certifications or ownership designations may violate federal and state laws, including but not limited to the FTC Act, SBA procurement regulations, and the Stolen Valor Act. You agree to indemnify Utility Hotline against any claims arising from inaccurate certification or ownership representations.

Communications

By creating a Provider listing, you agree to receive:

• Quote requests and lead notifications from potential customers
• Service-related communications about your account and listing

We may also send occasional announcements about the Utility Hotline network itself. We do not sell or rent your address, and we do not sign you up to a third-party newsletter. Announcement emails carry your mail client's built-in unsubscribe button. In clients that support one-click unsubscribe it suppresses your address for all email from us, including quote requests; other clients send the request to our team as an email instead, as does the “Unsubscribe” link in our email footer. To turn off automated lead email without losing your listing, use the Notifications page in your dashboard. We do not currently offer a control that stops announcements while still receiving quote requests.

Independent Contractor Status

Providers are independent contractors and not employees, agents, or representatives of Utility Hotline. Nothing in these Terms creates an employment, partnership, joint venture, or agency relationship.

6. Customer-Specific Terms

If you use the Platform to request quotes or connect with Providers, the following additional terms apply:

Quote Request Process

• Quote requests are reviewed by our team and passed to Providers in your selected service area
• We do not guarantee that you will receive any quotes
• Quotes provided by Providers are subject to their own terms and conditions
• We do not verify the accuracy of any quotes or estimates

No Service Guarantees

We make no guarantees regarding:

• The availability of Providers in your area
• The quality, pricing, or timeliness of Provider services
• The accuracy of Provider credentials or qualifications
• The outcome of any project or service engagement

Communication Consent

By submitting a quote request, you agree that we may share your request and contact details with locating providers in your area so they can respond, and you consent to receive:

• Email communications from Utility Hotline about your quote request
• Follow-up emails from Utility Hotline about your request
• Occasional text messages or phone calls from Utility Hotline about your request, at the phone number you provided

Email is our main channel: quote-request confirmations and follow-ups are sent there. From time to time someone on our team may also text or call you about a specific request, at the number you gave us. We do not run an automated text-message service and we do not send marketing texts. Message and data rates may apply. You can ask us to stop contacting you by text at any time by replying to the message or emailing us.

A provider who receives your request may contact you directly using the details you provided, including by phone and text message; those communications come from that company and are governed by its own privacy and messaging practices, not by ours.

To stop receiving email from us about a request, reply to any message or email support@utilityhotline.org. Suppressing an address stops all Utility Hotline email to it, including the confirmation for a request you have already submitted.

Your Responsibility

You are solely responsible for evaluating and selecting Providers, negotiating terms, and ensuring any work meets your requirements. We strongly recommend verifying Provider licensing, insurance, and references before engaging their services.

7. User Responsibilities

Accurate Information

All Users agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information when using the Platform. Providing false or misleading information is a violation of these Terms.

Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose or in violation of any laws
• Submit false, misleading, or fraudulent quote requests or listings
• Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation
• Harass, abuse, threaten, or intimidate other Users
• Interfere with or disrupt the Platform or servers
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Platform
• Scrape, harvest, or collect User data without authorization
• Use automated systems (bots, spiders, scrapers) to access the Platform
• Circumvent any content filtering or security measures
• Upload malware, viruses, or other harmful code
• Engage in any activity that could damage, disable, or impair the Platform
• Use Provider contact information for purposes other than engaging their services

8. Intellectual Property

Platform Ownership

The Platform, including its design, features, content, trademarks, logos, and all intellectual property rights therein, is owned by Utility Hotline and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Limited License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Platform for its intended purposes in accordance with these Terms.

User Content

You retain ownership of any Content you submit to the Platform. By submitting Content, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, display, and distribute such Content in connection with operating and promoting the Platform.

You represent that you own or have the necessary rights to submit any Content and that such Content does not violate any third party's intellectual property or other rights.

9. Disclaimers & Limitation of Liability

Platform Provided "As Is"

No Endorsement

Inclusion of a Provider in our network does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of their services. Users must independently verify Provider credentials, licensing, insurance, and qualifications.

Locating & Excavation Risks

Limitation of Liability

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or limitations of liability, so some of the above limitations may not apply to you.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Utility Hotline, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or related to:

• Your use of the Platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any applicable law or third-party rights
• Any Content you submit to the Platform
• Any dispute between you and a Provider or Customer (if you are a Provider)
• Any services provided by you (if you are a Provider) or received by you (if you are a Customer)

11. Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal dispute resolution, you agree to contact us at support@utilityhotline.org and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least 30 days.

Binding Arbitration

If informal resolution is unsuccessful, any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in accordance with its Commercial Arbitration Rules. The arbitration shall take place in Texas, or another mutually agreed location.

Class Action Waiver

Exceptions

Notwithstanding the above, either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to protect its intellectual property rights.

Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

12. Modification of Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we make changes:

• We will update the "Last revised" date at the top of this page for any change. The "Effective Date" moves only when a material change takes effect, after the notice described below
• For material changes, we will provide at least 30 days' advance notice via email to registered Users or prominent notice on the Platform
• Continued use of the Platform after a material change takes effect constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms; non-material changes, such as corrections and clarifications, apply from the "Last revised" date

If you do not agree to the modified Terms, you must stop using the Platform before the changes take effect.

13. Termination

Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us at support@utilityhotline.org.

Termination by Us

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Platform at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice, including but not limited to:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent or illegal activity
• Prolonged inactivity
• At our sole discretion for any reason

Effect of Termination

Upon termination, your right to use the Platform immediately ceases. We may delete your account and Content. Sections that by their nature should survive termination (including disclaimers, limitation of liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution) shall survive.

14. Privacy & Data

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection and use of personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

Data Sharing Disclosure

By using the Platform:

• Customers: Your quote request information (including contact details) is shared with locating Providers in your area
• Providers: Your business information is publicly displayed in our network

Please review our Privacy Policy to understand how your data is collected, used, and shared.

15. Third-Party Services

Sponsorship Payments

The Platform is free for locating providers and customers. Sponsorship payments from advertisers are arranged directly with us and settled manually via ACH bank transfer or invoice. We do not collect or store credit card information.

External Links

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by us. We are not responsible for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.

Third-Party Services We Use

We utilize various third-party services to operate the Platform, including but not limited to cloud hosting, email delivery, and analytics. Use of these services is subject to their respective terms and privacy policies.

16. Miscellaneous

Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other policies referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and Utility Hotline regarding the Platform and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not be deemed a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Utility Hotline.

Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

Force Majeure

Neither party shall be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, riots, embargoes, acts of civil or military authorities, fire, floods, accidents, strikes, or shortages of transportation, facilities, fuel, energy, labor, or materials.

17. Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or feedback regarding these Terms of Service, please contact us:

We will respond to all inquiries within a reasonable timeframe.