I agree- I do not stake too much, but I do mark out the hidden sprinkler heads and other little things that can be easily hidden by snow. Luckily I also do not have too much to worry about as far as kids moving the stakes around- the lots I plow are in a small village, and since I have been a member of the local ambulance corps- the local police know me well, and keep an eye on my stuff. They do regular patrols through the area any way, but I get a heads up if there is something amiss. Makes it kinda nice.
The time to cut and install them is negligible- I can easily cut them while I am cutting ballusters for a deck I am working on, letting another job pay for my time there, and as far a installing them- that can be done on the last inspection of the year when we are preparing to plow- need to walk the site anyway, kill two birds with one stone.
Bill