A very large red rhododendron like this one is probably the variety Nova Zembla, one of the very vigorous and hardy so-called ironclads. Cutting away even main limbs will not kill it, but you may have to wait several years for it to regrow to its current size. The fact that seems to be in a sunny location will help insure regrowth.

Without knowing what sort of work is being done on the house, these cautions may be unnecessary, but you should try to avoid soil compaction if workers or equipment will be near the base of the plant. Putting down boards or plywood temporarily will help. If the work involves masonry on the foundation or chimney, make sure mortar and any other lime rich materials do not raise the soil pH around the rhododendron. Finally, ropes and stakes can often be used to pull shrubs away from the area being worked on. This could perhaps make radical cutting back to ground level unnecessary.

Thank you for your response! We are converting from electrical to gas stove and need to install a 50lb propane tank. The kitchen is on the opposite side of the house but due to regulations this is literally the only place it can be placed (tucked into the corner to the right of the chimney) unless we decide to put it off to edge of the yard....we just may do that if I can convince my husband to dig the necessary trench. I really do not want to do anything to this beauty. She is in better condition now...this photo was taken after we had a severe snow storm season two winters ago.

Your husband may not be overjoyed with this bit of information, but most rental centers have gasoline powered trenchers available. These are not difficult to use, but do take some muscle and effort. Compared to hand digging a trench, however, they make a difficult job much easier. A landscape company may also be willing to dig a trench - probably using a power trencher - for not too much money. There are no doubt regulations for trench depth and other considerations, so be sure to check with the gas company and local authorities. A radical cutting back of rhododendron of this size to install a small propane tank for a single use does strike me as really too bad when an alternative exists. A 50 pound tank in another part of the yard would also be easy to disguise with a trellis type enclosure and some plantings.

akamainegrower...I am happy to report that with a slight adjustment to the placement of the tank we were able to fit it with removing only one small, unnoticeable branch from my rhododendron :)