just got backhoe bill for digging to TAP 11 ft. down (Feb 1 post). total time (including 2 hr wait for city people to jet) 9am to 3PM charged 1200.00. Sending 1400.00.

That isn't that bad. If the contractor actually followed OSHA standards a safety box would have been used to prevent collapses. So contractors can beat you up badly on the use of it.

funny you mention box to prevent collapse. The pipe was about 12 inchs into the side of the driveway. Mentioned getting plywood for box area as we looked at 11 ft high wall of dirt-- NOT to mention that huge slab of driveway. That's why i made the decision to break off the corner of concrete slab above where the men worked. This way no dirt or slab could bury them or worse kill them. When you have a backhoe-- what is it another 2 or 3 buckets of dirt. The girl working for the backhoe man asked him why he doesn't look OUT for them like I looked out for my guys!!!! I know she was just joking but it sure felt good.