New Member
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2 Messages
Contractor for AT&T Dug Up and Damaged my Backyard without permission.
This past Monday I came home to a handwritten note on my door from a contractor for AT&T who is working on my neighbor's house asking for access to my backyard. Apparently there's a cable that runs through my yard that they needed access to. I look in my backyard and see that a hole had already been dug into the ground without permission. The contractor left his contact information incase I had any questions.
Tuesday I come home from work and the back corner of my backyard is completely torn up. I mean a huge pile a dirt dug up with the laziest construction fencing posted around the site. They also spray painted all over my grass. I've done some research and I have read about utility easements and how if they need to do work, they can do it without the homeowner's permission. However, the way they left my yard is unacceptable and dangerous. So much so that my dog was able to get through the "fencing" and could've been injured.
I just moved into my home six months ago. I've gardened in the area they tore up and they completely ruined the grass in the area that they dug into.
What can I do? I wasn't sure which category this belonged in, so apologies if this was posted in the wrong place.
ATandTruinedMyYard
New Member
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2 Messages
1 year ago
**Update
I talked to someone from the contractor company that AT&T uses in my area. He tried to tell me about utility easements, which I told him that I already knew about. He said no matter what, they can dig in my yard if needed.
So you're telling me that AT&T can just come to my house without any formal notice that they will be tearing up my backyard for the sake of my neighbor? As I said above, the only form of "notice" I received was a sloppy handwritten note left by a contractor saying that they only needed access to my backyard. Nothing about digging was mentioned on the note.
What if we had children? Don't we deserve a notice that something like this is going to happen incase we need to move something away from the area they're working on? Everything about this situation is incredibly unprofessional, and it doesn't help that the person I talked to was rude and constantly speaking over me. He even told me that there was no way that my dog was able to enter the area even though I saw it happen. Absolutely ridiculous.
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Constructive
Former Employee
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32.9K Messages
1 year ago
They don’t have to notify you nor get permission. The fence they put up means they haven’t finished their work.
(edited)
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JefferMC
ACE - Expert
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35.2K Messages
1 year ago
You can plant grass or shrubs whatever you want in an easement, but you do have to understand that any flower beds may be dug up, shrubs removed, etc. They are supposed to make an effort to restore grass back to "original" condition, but they won't replant shrubs or flower beds. Easements are part of urban life, and to some degree, suburban life. Even some rural lots will have these encumbrances.
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ATTHelp
Community Support
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231.6K Messages
1 year ago
Hi there, @ATandTruinedMyYard! We want to get you pointed in the right direction for help with the damage that's been done in your yard.
We've got a great article that covers AT&T property claims for damages.
For damage to yards, plants, or bushes, please call the BWIRE group at:
Please feel free to reach back out if you need help in the future. Thank you for contacting the AT&T Community Forums!
Lacey, AT&T Community Specialist
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skeeterintexas
ACE - Expert
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27.8K Messages
11 months ago
@iWillRipYourCablesUp Threats of violence will get you blocked and your posts deleted.
@ATTHelp has provided information and a link to file a claim for property damage.
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angella_shp
1 Message
26 days ago
Seems kinda funny to me that they asked PERMISSION first..... seeing how everyone of these "experts" are saying they have the right to dig anywhere. Call your local City Hall or County office. If it's not in an existing easement, your are right and they are wrong. Consider that they are offering to pay you for property damage.... that's a big sign that they know they are wrong.
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