Tips for Homeowners Regarding Underground Utility Construction

From time to time, underground utility facilities or lines need to be repaired, replaced, or updated.  And while almost all homeowners prefer for their utility services to be underground, many of them what no repair, update, or replacement to occur in front of (or behind) their house.  I liken this to when someone buys a home under the landing pattern for an airport for thousands less than it might be otherwise, and then sues the airport over noise.  Some people want everything for themselves.  And once they have it, they want to deny it to others.  A far better approach is to acknowledge the inevitability of, at some time, having underground utility work at your home site.  And to know your rights and responsibilities.  

I have personally been in the underground utility construction business for about six years, and have worked in five states.  The areas that seemed to have the most friction between utility workers and homeowners seemed to be Florida and California, although Oregon, Washington, and Idaho have some also.  Some people seem to think that grass is the most important thing in the Universe.  And many take the "not on my property" approach.  Of course, most people are fine with work that needs to be done, as long as the crews are professional in how they do it.  It is the exception that I am hoping to enlighten.