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Old 06-22-2016, 05:40 PM
 
447 posts, read 482,956 times
Reputation: 698

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Yeah, I remember these people.:-) Years ago, they tried to go to my backyard without knocking on the doors. I had signs all over the gates, not to enter my backyard, because of my big dogs. They totally ignored it. This crazy man opened my backyard and had exactly 3 seconds to get out. My pittbull was the first one who ran after him, my rottie was second lol. He was lucky I was home(otherwise, they'll be not outside), but still. He managed to give me almost heart attack :-)) I never saw them again on my property without letting me know.:-)
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Old 06-22-2016, 10:09 PM
 
1,478 posts, read 1,498,563 times
Reputation: 3411
In a somewhat related question, does anyone know if they can relocate these boxes on request (to another part of my property)? I have 4 of them in my back yard, some other homes in my neighborhood have them in the front so I know that the HOA has allowed it before. The only one I really want moved is the CenterPoint transformer, it's the ugliest by far. Or can they replace it with something smaller?
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Old 06-23-2016, 06:33 AM
 
392 posts, read 312,001 times
Reputation: 378
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lbjen View Post
In a somewhat related question, does anyone know if they can relocate these boxes on request (to another part of my property)? I have 4 of them in my back yard, some other homes in my neighborhood have them in the front so I know that the HOA has allowed it before. The only one I really want moved is the CenterPoint transformer, it's the ugliest by far. Or can they replace it with something smaller?
Unless it's a safety issue, they will probably tell you to plant some bushes around them. It's very expensive to relocate utility lines, especially power or gas line.
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Old 06-23-2016, 06:42 AM
 
392 posts, read 312,001 times
Reputation: 378
Utility lines are color coded:

Electric- Red
Gas- yellow
Telecommunications- orange
Water-blue
Sewer-green

Most of the installation work are handled by contractors and they get paid by the job. They are supposed to ring your door but most will jump the fence in the daytime to save time. If it is a big project, they will notify you with a notice on the door in advance.
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Old 06-23-2016, 06:47 AM
 
Location: Houston Metro
1,133 posts, read 1,998,292 times
Reputation: 1659
Short of the long of it is they'll tell you to go fly a kite. Those utility easements are marked on your lot survey and were established before there was ever a dwelling on the lot. They don't just house YOUR utilities but are junctions for the utilities for your neighbors as well. When lot shopping, that's one of the things we always consider. Fortunately we were able to get a lot with zero utility boxes in them. Go buy some plants and forget about it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lbjen View Post
In a somewhat related question, does anyone know if they can relocate these boxes on request (to another part of my property)? I have 4 of them in my back yard, some other homes in my neighborhood have them in the front so I know that the HOA has allowed it before. The only one I really want moved is the CenterPoint transformer, it's the ugliest by far. Or can they replace it with something smaller?
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Old 06-23-2016, 07:32 AM
 
1,478 posts, read 1,498,563 times
Reputation: 3411
They have told us several times that we can't put plants in front of them, Centerpoint ripped out the ones the builder put in! I figured it was a long shot but you never know. The builder and my realtor basically did a deal behind my back to put me on this lot, and by the time we knew about the boxes it was too late. Live and learn!
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Old 06-23-2016, 09:52 AM
 
Location: Cypress, TX
184 posts, read 205,360 times
Reputation: 197
Quote:
Originally Posted by haudi View Post
Short of the long of it is they'll tell you to go fly a kite. Those utility easements are marked on your lot survey and were established before there was ever a dwelling on the lot. They don't just house YOUR utilities but are junctions for the utilities for your neighbors as well. When lot shopping, that's one of the things we always consider. Fortunately we were able to get a lot with zero utility boxes in them. Go buy some plants and forget about it.
This. It's just another thing to take into consideration when looking at a home/choosing a lot. There's not much you can do. The easements are established and marked on the survey. We went back and forth between a couple lots due to this. Some have larger electric boxes, some had smaller telecom boxes. Some had sewer caps in the front yard. It's just something that's there and you deal with it. Try to hide it best you can, but in the end they have the say as far as I know.
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Old 06-23-2016, 09:53 AM
 
Location: Hougary, Texberta
9,019 posts, read 14,198,909 times
Reputation: 11028
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lbjen View Post
They have told us several times that we can't put plants in front of them, Centerpoint ripped out the ones the builder put in! I figured it was a long shot but you never know. The builder and my realtor basically did a deal behind my back to put me on this lot, and by the time we knew about the boxes it was too late. Live and learn!
You can put plants around them, but they can remove them if required to gain access to their equipment.
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Old 06-23-2016, 09:54 AM
 
833 posts, read 1,871,386 times
Reputation: 845
When you bought your house there was this wonderful piece of paper called a survey. It showed utility easement on it. Within this easement the utilities providers can do whatever they want to service their equipment. You can lock your gate and they will hop the fence, it is their right. If you confront them and try to kick them out of you yard they will have a police officer escort them into your yard. When I worked in the industry we even had a homeowner try to pull a gun on a tech not wanting him in his yard. Needless to say the homeowner ended up in the back of a police car.

While rare if they need to run new main line they will dig up your yard. Do not plant things that you do not mind at some point possibly be torn up in the easement.

As others pointed out the little line is Comcast line going to your neighbors and they will be back to bury it. Make note of where it runs in case you need to dig around unless you really hate your neighbor and cut the line causing them to go without internet and TV. If it is not buried correctly let your nieghbor know to call Comcast or call Comcast and file a complaint. They should be back within the next week to bury the line.
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Old 06-24-2016, 11:21 AM
 
1,715 posts, read 2,277,345 times
Reputation: 961
ok so 2 days after posting this I came home to find the wires buried. Issue resolved. Thanks for your input everyone
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