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Commitments and Contingencies
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
11. Commitments and Contingencies
 
Purchase Commitments
As of
December 31, 2018
, the Company had approximately $
15.0 million in outstanding purchase orders for certain construction equipment, with cash outlay scheduled to occur over the next nine months.
 
Insurance and Claims Accruals
The Company carries insurance policies, which are subject to certain deductibles, for workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability and other coverages. The deductible per occurrence for each line of coverage is up to $1.0
million, except for wildfire coverage which has a deductible of $
2.0
million. The Company’s health benefit plans are subject to deductibles of up to $
0.2 million for qualified individuals. Losses up to the deductible amounts are accrued based upon the Company’s estimates of the ultimate liability for claims reported and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported.
The insurance and claims accruals are based on known facts, actuarial estimates and historical trends. While recorded accruals are based on the ultimate liability, which includes amounts in excess of the deductible, a corresponding receivable for amounts in excess of the deductible is included in total assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The following table includes the Company’s accrued short- and long-term insurance liabilities at December 31:
 
(in thousands)
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
 
2016
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
45,363
 
 
$
42,584
 
 
$
36,967
 
Net increases in reserves
 
 
31,193
 
 
 
22,938
 
 
 
25,139
 
Net payments made
 
 
(22,517
)
 
 
(20,159
)
 
 
(19,522
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
54,039
 
 
$
45,363
 
 
$
42,584
 
 
Insurance expense, including premiums, for workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability, employee health benefits, and other coverages for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $30.4 million, $29.5 million and $25.6 million, respectively.
 
Performance and Payment Bonds and Parent Guarantees
In certain circumstances, the Company is required to provide performance and payment bonds in connection with its future performance on certain contractual commitments. The Company has indemnified its sureties for any expenses paid out under these bonds. As of
December 31, 2018
, an aggregate of approximately $
614.9 million in original face amount of bonds issued by the Company’s sureties were outstanding. Our estimated remaining cost to complete these bonded projects was approximately $324.7
million as of
December 31, 2018
.
From time to time the Company guarantees the obligations of wholly owned subsidiaries, including obligations under certain contracts with customers, certain lease agreements, and obligations in connection with obtaining contractors’ licenses. Additionally, from time to time the Company is required to post letters of credit to guarantee the obligations of its wholly owned subsidiaries, which reduces the borrowing availability under our Facility.
 
Indemnities
From time to time, pursuant to its service arrangements, the Company indemnifies its customers for claims related to the services it provides under those service arrangements. These indemnification obligations may subject the Company to indemnity claims, liabilities and related litigation. The Company is not aware of any material unrecorded liabilities for asserted claims in connection with these indemnification obligations.
 
Collective Bargaining Agreements
Most of the Company’s subsidiaries’ craft labor employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The agreements require the subsidiaries to pay specified wages, provide certain benefits and contribute certain amounts to multi-employer pension plans. If a subsidiary withdraws from any of the multi-employer pension plans or if the plans were to otherwise become underfunded, the subsidiary could incur liabilities for additional contributions related to these plans. Although the Company has been informed that the status of some multi-employer pension plans to which its subsidiaries contribute have been classified as “critical” the Company is not currently aware of any potential liabilities related to this issue. See Note 14 — Employee Benefit Plans to the Financial Statements for further information related to the Company’s participation in multi-employer plans.
 
Litigation and Other Legal Matters
The Company is from time-to-time party to various lawsuits, claims, and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. These actions typically seek, among other things, compensation for alleged personal injury, breach of contract, property damages, punitive damages, civil penalties or other losses, or injunctive or declaratory relief. With respect to all such lawsuits, claims and proceedings, the Company records reserves when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company does not believe that any of these proceedings, separately or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operation or cash flows.
The Company is routinely subject to other civil claims, litigation and arbitration, and regulatory investigations arising in the ordinary course of our present business as well as in respect of our divested businesses. Some of these claims and litigations include claims related to the Company’s current services and operations, and asbestos-related claims concerning historic operations of a predecessor affiliate. The Company believes that it has strong defenses to these claims as well as insurance coverages that could contribute to any settlement or liability in the event any asbestos-related claim is not resolved in the Company’s favor. These claims have not had a material impact on the Company to date, and the Company believes that the likelihood that a future material adverse outcome will result from these claims is remote. However, if facts and circumstances change in the future, the Company cannot be certain that an adverse outcome of one or more of these claims would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.