I know this, but what is particular about our property is that the grade is barely above the street. We've spent three years getting the drainage right and preventing the front yard from turning into a swimming pool. Trenching through that and putting everything back together presents a risk of now having to go through this all again.

But none of that matters. If they don't have an easement and I don't want them doing any work that is where it should stop. They shouldn't just presuem the right to dig someone's property without permission. Leaving a note on our door while we're gone is not permission.