An Easement Question

[CurlyDave]

I think you are right on the shop cable. Find it, cut it and splice it.

I will call the property owner & discuss the issue. I will offer to pay for the whole job, just to expedite my building plans.

 

[midlf]

Investigate the ends of the shop cable and you will probably be able to determine what size/type of cable it is and pick up an appropriate splice kit ahead of time. Electrical supply house should be able to supply what you will need. Make sure it is a repair splice kit. A repair splice has arrangements to make up for the extra length you need for this type of splice. A regular splice kit assumes the cable is loose and can be manipulated. A repair splice assumes cable is fixed and splice slack is not going to be available.

 

[stumpfield]

CurlyDave:

I'm not an expert but have been through this subject in the past. I hope you are aware that the easement DOES NOT allow you to destroy anything. If the power company is doing the installation, they know exactly what to do. You don't have to worry about it. They deal with this all the time. It's better for them to deal with your neighbor then you try to get involve. They probably already factored into the price or their insurance should cover the unknowns. If I were you, I would stay out of it. If the power company screw-up and destroy your neighbor line, then you can come out being the "good-guy" and offer to help some...

Even with a recorded easement, your neighbor can give you a hard time and delay your project infinitely if he choose to do so.
If you piss him off, he can legally make your installation cost a whole lot more. Check with an attorney.

 

[marks]

The local rental yard should have a line locator, find the line and dig both sides of it by hand. But why plow it with a D7? Think about exploring the use of a Ditch Witch, the ride on type, they aren't as damaging and easier to control. If you do need to dig by hand, a good soaking will make it easier.

Regarding digging the driveway, photos of before and after may prove helpful.

 

[Mosby]

Hey,
We just called 800-Miss Utility. They marked ours for free. I think they are country wide, but I'm not certain. It was an easement thing as well.

 

[dooleysm]

Here's a trick I learned from my dad last year, who learned it from an electrician that he had working for him...

To find buried electric line first find 2 metal clothes hangers. Hold one in each hand very loosely. The long, straight part of the hanger is the part you hold on to. This part should be vertical. Hold them next to eachother, but far enough apart so that if they are facing eachother they will just barely touch. Direct them each so they are facing forward. Begin walking where you think the line is. When you cross the line, the hangers will rotate in towards eachother.

It helps to practice in an area where you know there is a line buried to convince yourself this works and to get a feel for how it works. Then head out to where you want to locate a line and have at it.

Never believed it until I tried it myself.

 

[riptides]

I thought "dowsing" was a, how to put this, unproven scientific event?

Prove it, award awaits

-Mike Z. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[moeh1]

Its proven, just that scientists don't understand completely the mechanisms. Not everyone has equal results - I am one of the people it doesnt work for. However, if you put each of the coathangers in a straw and hold the straw, it works fine... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[TC18guy]

As far as the legality goes, the terms of the easement should be contained in the deed to the property and should specify your rights and responsibilities.

As far as ethics go, it can go both ways. If that easement existed before the shop, then his obstruction of the easement has caused you a hardship and he should be liable for his portion. If the shop existed first and he granted the easement so that your property could be developed, then I think it would be your responsibility. Most easements are written so that it is the benefactor's responsibility to return the property to its original condition.

 

[dooleysm]

All I can say is, try it for yourself. I'm about as skeptical as they come. I'm sure most of you guys believe alot of stuff that I don't.

I saw it work for my dad, who had no earthly idea where our electric service was buried. I tried it for myself and it worked for me too.

The best part of this experiment is that you can do it yourself for free in 5 minutes time.