Hello, All…
the electrician we hired to do the electrical work in a house we’re building, and who did the ‘rough-in’ on the house, isn’t returning our phone calls (three of them since July 20) telling him we’re ready for him to do the second part … hanging the fixtures, etc.
On May 26, I talked with him on the phone, telling him we were getting close to needing him to finish up. At that time he said he preferred to do the electrical BEFORE the cabinet installation, and to call him four or five days prior to our being ready for him.
So, we put off the cabinet installer.
Since the electrician isn’t returning our calls, progress has come to a standstill. Don’t know what to do next. Any suggestions out there?
Thanks,
Evelyn
Replies
Did you pay him yet?
As agreed, we paid him for half his quoted amount. Other half to be paid 'on completion'.
This is an interesting situation. I am going to apply this situation to my own. I also paid the electrician for his rough in with the agreement he would return and complete his work. I believe we worked from a 60/40 or 70/30 payment position.
If the intended agreement is tthe electrician holds the client hostage (under threat of lein on home), how does the client proceed if the contractor doesn't finish the work? Also, how many electricians are willing to finish someone else's work if the original electrician doesn't want to?
I will have finish painters doing their work this week. After that, the electriaicn will need to come and do the finish work. Wish to plan for the worse case scenario (a la OP's problem), advice is naturally desired.
To the original OP: thanks for posting this. I would imagine you are not the only one that has fallen into this boat, and can probably be said about other contractors like plumbers, too, where rough-ins and finish work is separated by time.
I pay electricians on the 50/50 payment plan.
Oh, I do not mind paying them even 70/30 so long as they return. I think the balanced owed is something like $1400 for the switches, outlets, and canned light trim kits, and maybe some final panel connections for the uotlets. He left me all lights working, but breaker-operated. Heck, the lives only a handful of miles from me (yes, I know where he lives). I planned it that way.
NUKE, WHAT'S AN OP... ?
We paid 50% to 'sparkie' (I'm learning some of the lingo here!) and seems to us the last 50% would be a breeze for him, since he's done all the rough-in, dug the trench to the house from the power, installed a couple of operable circuits.
We bought the fixtures, and they sit in place exactly where they are to be installed.
BTW, does the homeowner (ie, HO?) buy the switchplates if we want anything other than the drab off-white flipper-type?
Gup
OP = Original Poster....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
"Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"
Oops, sorry. OP is Original Poster. Sorry about that.
Turns out that the electrical trim-out can be just as time consuming as the rough-in. Just speaking from experience here. Materials MIGHT be about the same too. During rough-in it is all that expensive wire, and during the trim-out breakers and devices are supplied. When I say devices I mean receptacles, switches, etc.
I'd say yes - if you want special switch plates you need to supply them. Thing is, don't the devices need to match in color to whatever switch and outlet plates are used? You should have talked to the electrician about this before. If it is just the switch and outlet plates I'd say go get them - and definitely get some extras. If it is the devices too you are going to have to some how coordinate with the electrician. BTW - he may not like being called "sparkie". :-)
If you end up supplying some material I'd say you need to be on-site and on the ready to run to the store to get some missing items. Get some extra bulbs too. Guys don't like to come back to install a $3 part. The problem is that you really don't know exactly what he is planning to install. There may be some unusual plates in the kitchen, bath, etc. For example, look at the bottom of this web page for some of the different configurations. Also be aware that if you start getting fancy plates you may have trouble getting phone/ CATV/whatever plates to match so keep that in mind. Also be aware that plates come in 3 different sizes. If the small sized plates are installed, they may not cover imperfections in the DW around the boxes.
Either that, or if it is just the plates, just plan on changing the plates later.
Also, if you end up supplying materials don't necessarily be looking for a hefty rebate to cover the cost of what you bought.
To all of you helpful posters ... SURPRISE, SURPRISE... out of the blue, as one you previously commented, Sparkie called early this morning, 'ready to get started on the second part of the electrical', we originally agreed upon. And YES... he acted as though nothing was unusual that he hadn't returned any of my calls #three of them# from July 20 forward ... I was so glad to get on with this that I didn't say what I was thinking.
I've #we've# dreaded starting over on 'looking for an electrician', especially, when, I know they'll wonder why our FIRST sparkie didn't want to do the work, and I have no explanation for that.
But heck! I'm so glad to get past this. Someone on the list said this could happen, Thank goodness, this is the first and last home we'll be contracting on our own. Fools rush in...
So thanks to all of you ... we were patient and I consider that it's paid off for us. Don't care that he's been damn rude... just want to get this show on the road and move into our home.
Thanks! GUP
Well congrats!!
Here is one your your arsenal just in case you need it:
If things get unfriendly or anything just mention the words "interest on the construction loan for a delayed project". :-)
I refuse to be held hostage by any sub.
Get yourself another and have a third as backup.
They all flake sooner or later.
There's never been a question or problem with this electrician... he's performed as promised ... I had no clue it would come to this.
IS THIS PAR FOR THE COURSE? Even with so-called 'well-respected' electricians?
Stuff happens. It might be as simple as he's on a summer vacation with family; it might be something else. Either way, you deserve a simple explanation. I would look elsewhere, and don't pay for anything beyond what has been done.Scott.
"It might be as simple as he's on a summer vacation with family"
Speaking of summer vacations. I'm supposed to be up in Whistler in a couple of weeks. How are the wildfires?
>>>How are the wildfires?Pretty bad; couldn't see more than about 200 ft the other day because of smoke. The Blackcomb fire is now under control, but there are two nasty ones in Pemberton and another around Lilooet. We're now wondering whether we should leave for our holiday, which is planned for the Skagit valley.... way beyond cell or internet range.Scott.
Hard to know what to do. The Premiere was on TV asking us to stay out of the backcountry, but are people with a bit of commonsense really a problem?
Luckily with the Olympics so soon I think Whistler will get all the firefighting resources it needs.
The only way I've ever successfully dealt with it is by hiring his wife as the interior dekkerator.
"They all flake sooner or later." That's truly BS. It's why I'd rather work for the owner and not put up with GCs with this attitude.Gary W
gwwoodworking.com
Maybe my use of the word, "all" is incorrect. It should be, "dang near all."
I've always been the HO. And paid on the spot when presented with the bill. Many times for more than the bill.
I'm not going to take your comment personally. I'm just going to assume that I'm a member of the very small group of contractors who aren't flakes.... just like almost everyone else.
Some, not even "dang near all," give other contractors a bad name, but maybe you, the HO, should learn how to pick them. Go to Angie's List, Google the business name, search on Yahoo, or go to the Better Business Bureau. Better yet, use one that that a good GC or friend recommends. But please, don't put those blanket statements of unreliability online in a forum like this. Gary W
gwwoodworking.com
Funny.
I agree with most of what you said, but I have to take this line as tongue in cheek form you -"Go to Angie's List, Google the business name, search on Yahoo, or go to the Better Business Bureau. "I thought you were being facetious...dunno, but those are not good sources for good contractors and subs.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I agree, Piffin. There really isn't an online or beaurocratic agency with infallible resources, but any of those I suggested are probably better than whatever that guy used. He's got an excessively dark picture of those in our trade, or he was just in a dark mood when he wrote that post. I think referrals from reliable friends or contractors are the best resources, along with a good character judgement when interviewing a prospective contractor. When a HO dives into being his own GC, he does so not knowing whether he's getting into ice cold, warm or hot water, but he should at least test it with a toe.
Gary W
gwwoodworking.com
Edited 8/1/2009 1:36 pm by GaryW
Edited 8/1/2009 2:24 pm by GaryW
Sorry to rile your feathers, but I was specifically talking about California electricians. And your suggestions have all failed. Like I said, the only one that stuck to it had his wife in as ID. And she was good.
But think back. (Because some of you'se guys suffer badly from this.) Two, three years ago, the game was to sort out customers so you only got what you perceived to be the "best." Charge for quotes, extras, all sorts of addon's.
Now, when there's no food on your table, your attitude has changed and anyone whom "insults" your "cred" is a jerk. Sorry, but my memory is longer than you may think.
I will say, this "flaking" behavior of some is not limited to sparkies. (Although I went through three even before one would show to look at the job.) Plumbers, carps, stucco guys, and especially floor refinishers all practice the behavior. In California along the shore, if the surf's up, too bad for your job. Or if it rains, like a snow day for carps. OTOH, the Mexicans were ALWAYS there the next day or as arranged - early.
Up in northern Michigan, if a guy has some buddy that hits him up to go poach a deer in the morning, too bad for your job. Or deer season for the rest of the state, all work stops. Same thing happens everywhere. Too many of these guys look at it as if they wake up every morning unemployed and then search for the most interesting thing to do that day. If they need money, they'll work. If not, they don't.
Reliable friends have been repeatedly embarrassed. Therefore, they don't make referrals like you may wish. Reputable contractors keep their best subs to themselves. Why should they share?
It's the same in any business. Have you found a stockbroker willing to help you do your own online trading?
You have described to a T many of the subs around here. Surfs up or their crop needs clipping - that's it. Not that the behavior is limited to our industry. I hate going to a shop and finding a cute sign with "Gone Fishing" on it - like somehow knowing they are off doing something fun is supposed to compensate for the inconvenience of the store being closed.
yet, while there is reportedly no food on the table, I and others are having a heck of a time getting subs or contractors to respond to potential work.
<!----><!----><!---->
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
>>>Go to Angie's List, Google the business name, search on Yahoo, or go to the Better Business Bureau.>>>Oh, now that you put it that way, I can see you really are clueless.A LOT of subs are unreliable guys that DO flake out eventually. You have to babysit most of them just to be sure they are doing their jobs the right way. It is a shame but it is also a simple truth of the industry.
<!----><!----><!---->
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
"I can see you really are clueless."
Pete, I am that, because I sometimes put too much trust in those I work around - both customers and other contractors. But I've been in the business long enough (35 years) to know the best subs I work with are those I've successfully worked with before.
I recently finished a project that employed a framer who put windows in the wrong location, a tile setter who chose to work only a few hours a day, sheetrockers that covered up wires, and they were all chosen and "supervised" by a "GC" who I learned was unlicensed, yet was a self-proclaimed know-it-all who duped the HO into using him. He surely didn't know his subs any more than he could run them professionally. I was hired by the HO to design & build his cabinets, I wasn't a member of the "GC's" incompetant clique of subs, and when the economy turned ugly, that guy cutthroatedly tried to take away my contract to hand it to one of his own cheap subs. These are tough times!
Many of us in this business are flakes, liars and incompetant fools, just like so many in the business of investment, real estate, and banking. Hopefully, only the best of the contractors will survive this severe building down-turn. Unfortunately, that won't be the case, because there remain many undocumented, cutthroat liars among us, who don't pay taxes as they work without licenses to continue to dupe unknowing HOs into choosing them, because of their cheap proposals.
Angie's List, for one, was begun to provide a referral network to otherwise unsuspecting HO's to provide clues that help them make wiser choices. I suggest you don't discount that resource, any more than you would your state's contractor licensing board. Now I think that would be a clueless mistake.Gary W
gwwoodworking.com
>>>>>Many of us in this business are flakes, liars and incompetant fools, just like so many in the business of investment, real estate, and banking. Hopefully, only the best of the contractors will survive this severe building down-turn. Unfortunately, that won't be the case, because there remain many undocumented, cutthroat liars among us, who don't pay taxes as they work without licenses to continue to dupe unknowing HOs into choosing them, because of their cheap proposals.>>>>>Ok, now I am starting to agree with you.
<!----><!----><!---->
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
You make some good points especially about unprofessional behavior by any number of individuals in any number of professions. Spoze I started a thread because a lawyer hadn't called me back in 10 days ;-) That's kinda the norm, isn't it?
OTOH, someone shouldn't think because you have done cabinet work and probably several other trades he knows a GC's job better than the GC does... Not taking up for the unlicensed guy you spoke of, but on the other hand, maybe you weren't meeting HIS scheduling needs... Or maybe he wanted to kick you to the curb because there wasn't enough money in the overall budget to buy some inconsequential items like light fixtures or doors.... so some luxury item had to be cut... like the really nice cabinets - You never know... I heard of a construction project once before that didn't come in at budget.. ;-) BTW - here, unlicensed guys can't build anything much bigger than a deck - unless they want to be in trouble with the law...
My point being that just as there are smucks in any profession, no one should think he can do someone's else's job better unless he is actually doing it.
The whole idea that a HO was hiring his own sub(s) spells trouble from the get-go. On our homes - we don't allow it. Ever. You are probably right that this GC you spoke of doesn't know what he is doing - his allowing a HO to hire other subs that were part of the workflow just illustrates it.
As far as sheetrockers covering up electrical boxes, it happens once in a while - welcome to the real world! Framers not installing the tempered window locations same-same. I don't guess there coulda been a prob with the plans??? Or maybe someone changed their mind mid stream? Things go wrong. What - I guess some people think that a GC just sits in an air conditioned office and schedules stuff? Or maybe that is what this guy was doing... He should be a problem solver. If he is good, he is a problem avoider too. Or maybe some think the GC should be on the job every minute? I guess if he followed around every sheetrock hanger in the house no boxes would ever get covered up - would they? Kinda tough. Someone else's job is always easy....
". . . I wasn't a member of the "GC's" incompetant clique of subs, and when the economy turned ugly, that guy cutthroatedly tried to take away my contract to hand it to one of his own cheap subs. These are tough times!" Been there, seen it. Many HO's are gullible and fall for it. And unsurprisingly get what they deserve for doing so (poor workmanship). The sad part about it is that most HO's don't know they've been had when the job is finished.
On that job, fortunately, the subs' workmanship was pretty good; it was their supervision that lacked badly, which caused long and costly delays during rework and while waiting for sluggish subs to complete their projects. Gary W
gwwoodworking.com
Hire somebody else. Don't pay beyond material costs until inspection passed. Maybe pay per diem for obvious work done.
get the cabinets in before the finish, thats the logical order. thats the way most people do it. I usually have the electrician give me a live plug or two to work off of, and one of those plugs is the refrigerator circuit for obvious reasons
I once had a plumber do the same. when I did make contact with him he was full of BS. then one day he actually showed up so I went outside and told him dont bother getting out of your truck.
Maverick, when you say "get the cabinets in before the finish, that's the logical order", do you mean before the electrical?
So logical order would be cabinets, electrical, plumbing, floors?
Thanks for your input.
Gup
1. Rough plumbing/rough electrical (doesn't matter which is first, unless guys can't stay out of each other's way)
2. Cabinets or flooring (depends on whether you're putting flooring under your cabinets)
3. Electric fixtures/plumbing fixtures
Webted has a good order.
If you are doing under cabinet lighting and a garbage disposal these wires are more easily roughed before the cabinets.
After 3 phone calls its time to move on.
Mark
Lots of subs strategy for deal with scheduling problems is by being passive aggressive and simply not returning calls. Often they turn up all cheery and ready to finish as though nothing has happened weeks later. Get another electrician, but make sure you leave a message with this guy that you are doing so. It might be enough to get him back on the job, or at least he can't turn up later claiming for time and finishing materials.
If you like this electrician, and his work, I'd give him a few more calls. I'd also be asking around for other electricians, and checking their schedules, just in case.
We'll have a kid
Or maybe we'll rent one
He's got to be straight
We don't want a bent one
He'll drink his baby brew
From a big brass cup
Someday he may be president
If things loosen up
I would cal, but not to leave any begging him to call me message.I'd word it that I am all finished waiting for him. Trim starts on Tuesday, and if he hasn't called or showed up by friday, I start looking for another
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I didn't say anything about begging... sheeit happens and schedules get busted... it's the business.http://www.tvwsolar.com
We'll have a kid
Or maybe we'll rent one
He's got to be straight
We don't want a bent one
He'll drink his baby brew
From a big brass cup
Someday he may be president
If things loosen up
no, YOU didn't, but the OP seemed to imply that attitude, like he was at the mercy of his sparkies prima dona act.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Actually, sounded like the electrician had good intentions. Doing his thing before the cabinets would be what I would want... but not everything works out like I'd want... if I couldn't deal with that, I'd probably have to work at burger king, and have it my way.http://www.tvwsolar.com
We'll have a kid
Or maybe we'll rent one
He's got to be straight
We don't want a bent one
He'll drink his baby brew
From a big brass cup
Someday he may be president
If things loosen up
I rarely care if people are late for a job if they have talked to me about it. Like you said: stuff comes up. It's the radio-silence on his end that would make me mad.
Most construction people I know are... well, "different". I'm no exception. Getting pizzed off rarely gets the job done.http://www.tvwsolar.com
We'll have a kid
Or maybe we'll rent one
He's got to be straight
We don't want a bent one
He'll drink his baby brew
From a big brass cup
Someday he may be president
If things loosen up
put the cabinets in and do the trim work. There is no reason in the world for him to need to do his finish trims first, unless he is just afraid he might scratch woodwork.
if he is that careless, you might need somebody else anyways.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Yea - I was trying to figure out why the guy would say he prefers to do his elect trim out before cabinets. For me electrical trim out always come after Plumb and HVAC trim out and plumb trim out happens after cabinets. Only thing I could think of is that the base cabinets will get in the way of his ladder. For me, cabinets have to be set so that the sparkie can get the light fixtures centered over the sinks.
Sounds to me like the guy is a primadonna.
To the OP; you are running the job - not the electrician. go ahead with your other stuff. You have given him 10 days and haven't even had the courtesy of a call back. Who knows though - maybe he got hit by a bus - but it still isn't your problem.
Start looking for a new electrician, but be aware that it is gonna cost ya $$. There are different ways of wiring houses and the clean-up guy will be complaining "this isn't the way I do it and will want to charge you for the extra time it takes him to figure a few things out. Any sub is gonna charge extra to finish something that someone else started.
Maybe I'm a little vindictive but I kinda enjoy telling a sub that he has been replaced. ;-) Mid job I really try and avoid it though.
D'oh, I totally missed that this was the trim out... danged flakey construction guys... he needs to wait til the painter's are done<G>http://www.tvwsolar.com
We'll have a kid
Or maybe we'll rent one
He's got to be straight
We don't want a bent one
He'll drink his baby brew
From a big brass cup
Someday he may be president
If things loosen up
BTW - for me, generally, it's sheetrock -> cabinets -> interior trim carpentry -> paint, prime, DW pointup & more paint, finished flooring in bathrooms -> plumb trim & HVAC trim and -> THEN electrical trim. Plumb trim includes dish washer and disposal as both the plumber and electrician hooks these up - which is another reason electrician goes later. Further you need your HVAC units in so the electrician can hook these up. I don't know - maybe your electrician likes coming back 2 or 3 times....
Let me ask you this Q: are the light fixture boxes already set above the vanities in the bathrooms ? assuming you have wall mounted lights for the vanities....
How can they test the HVAC without power.It would seem to me that they should run power the to location as part of the rough in.I think that, in general, around here the HVAC people lookup final connections..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
>> How can they test the HVAC without power.
It would seem to me that they should run power the to location as part of the rough in. << They do run the cabling during rough-in but final connections aren't done until electrical trim-out and the power company won't give you a meter until electrical inspection is passed.
>> I think that, in general, around here the HVAC people lookup final connections. << Must be a geographic difference. For one thing, as cold as it is there, I guess some parts of construction just can't proceed without real heat - not just some crummy space heaters...
Here, for new construction, during the HVAC trim out the mechanics install the outdoor units, indoor grills, thermostats, bath fans, etc. Part of that deal is you don't want those outdoor units out there any sooner then necessary - they sometimes get stolen. That work is then called in for inspection. Some time around then is when the house is locked up.
Then the electrician comes for his trim-out and hooks up the HVAC units, installs all the light fixtures , devices, connects any hardwired appliances like the disposal and dw if you use that type, etc. At this point all electrical items are installed and hooked up. Then the elect inspection is called in and signed off. Then and only then the electric company will set the meter and turn on the power.
Once the mechanical inspection is signed off the gas company will set their meter (if the house has gas).
After all that, the HVAC service tech comes out and does the system "startup".
I'm sure this is done differently in other states. Actually, we can get a conditional power inspection so we can get a elect meter earlier, but I have never found this necessary and have never seen or heard of it being done either. And definitely not during the summer - unless you got some wimp workers who need AC to perform their work...
Service work on existing homes and remodeling is undoubtedly different too.
We get conditional power. After sheetrock, the electrician wires GFCIs in all the wet areas: baths, laundry, kitchen, garage. Also wires the HVAC and meter base. Inspections inspects and power company runs the permanent line and hooks it up.Most flooring contractors over here won't warranty their work without heat or air... and the trim carps are much happier, too<G>HVAC just wants us to keep the filters clean. I take of the return covers, tape a pleated filter in the returns, then tape another over that. Easy to see if they're dirty, and cheap insurance.If the house is well insulated, power usage including construction stuff is about $20/mn.Makes landscaping easier since the power company isn't coming in at the last phase and making a mud trench.Duke Power even lets us set the temporary pole next to the house. As long as it's not more than 10' from the meter, they're cool with it, if you change your mind for the location, they charge some rediculous rate per '. Progress Energy has just started doing the temporary pole next to the house.It is conditional, though, and is only supposed to be on for 90 days, though I've seen it running for over a year LOLhttp://www.tvwsolar.com
We'll have a kid
Or maybe we'll rent one
He's got to be straight
We don't want a bent one
He'll drink his baby brew
From a big brass cup
Someday he may be president
If things loosen up
I got your mail.
Regarding utility trenches - During the electrical rough-in, the minute I see the meter base on the house, I call the power company for the underground install. No perm meter though. The T-pole is set within 6 or so feet of the power companies pedestal or power stub before any sub starts, except the grader and maybe a few days for the concrete guy.
For you isn't the trench and the perm meter two different processes entirely?
<For you isn't the trench and the perm meter two different processes entirely? >Kinda... We've eliminated the temporary pole by the pedestal, which is maybe 200' from the house. They will trench to the house within 10' of where the permanent meter base will be. House we're doing now had some backfilling eccentricites that wouldn't allow the temp pole within 75' of the house. The power co let us put the temp pole on the line they would have trenched anyway.In this case, they will still have to trench for the conditional hookup, but they'd have to go at least 10' anyway, so they're okay with it.http://www.tvwsolar.com
We'll have a kid
Or maybe we'll rent one
He's got to be straight
We don't want a bent one
He'll drink his baby brew
From a big brass cup
Someday he may be president
If things loosen up
Yes, Matt, the fixture boxes are already in place.
I can't for the life of me understand why the sparkie wanted to trim out before the cabinets were installed. Maybe someone answered that above but I guess I missed it.
As a carpenter/cabinet maker business we (more than we like to) have to wait for plumbers/electricians to do their magic. Oftentimes it´s downtime for 3-5 workers.
So I work with guys I know and sell them to the HO.
No kickback- just show up on time.
If the man is not returning your call he´s out.
Three steps:
1. Call, write SMS
2. Call, again - leaving message.
If not returned within 24hrs:
3. Use the fax: Show up before soandso date/time, to do the agreed work -or the work will be done by competitor x-at hourly rate x. Plus wait hrs of my guys.
If no reaction- he´s either died or a deadbeat.
If problem involves a GC try to find out wether or not there is a dollar problem. Maybe he´s not getting paid.
GC´s are famous for stalling - customer has paid- GC needs a new car.
At least that´s the way over here in Germany.
Been doing this for 30 yrs. and will not work for architect or GC. Too many F...ups.
HO direct, no hassle, good recomendations, money in the bank.
Communication is the key.
No emotions!
Save those for the family.
Mathias
Lot's of good advice above so no need to retype all that.
What I would like to ask is, in your three calls since July 20, how where they presented? I can understand the first call being "Ok, we're ready for you so let me know when you can start". By the time you got to the third call it should be something like "We haven't heard from you and need to keep moving. We're very perplexed as to why you've dropped out of sight and need to move ahead. If I don't hear from you by 5 o'clock tomorrow I'm getting someone else lined up".
If the third call is basically like the first it might be a case of he's got too much work and not taking you seriously.
Runnerguy
Runnerguy...
talked with electrician on May 26 at which time he said to give him four or five days notice. Said he'd rather do the electrical before the cabinets.
On July 20, I left the message to please call me, along with my phone number; and on July 23, I left the message that "we are ready for you to do the second half of the electrical services, please give me a call to let us know when you can begin". On those two calls I got a recorded message to leave the message.
Actually talked with his son on July 24 and requested he give his dad the same information. Haven't called him since, haven't heard from him.
To clarify... the AC is in and hooked up, and the 90% of the trim is done. My husband and I did the painting, almost finished, with exception of a bunch of touch-up, mostly on trim.
Yet to do: second half electrical and plumbing, cabinets (sitting in cartons all over the place), final trim work (after cabinets), countertops, tile and flooring.
This electrician has been quite reliable from the beginning. That's why we're surprised at this turn of events. Had a certified letter ready, but not yet sent to him ...it states facts in an adult to adult way... but are sitting on that for a while.
I don't want to have to start that all over again, having to look for an electrician, if I can avoid it. The first go-round was onerous and time consuming.
Meanwhile, I'm taking some of your e-mails suggestions, and will call the cabinet man Monday and see when he can get started.
Gup
Wow, another one of those threads that sure reinforces the DIY philosophy <G>
Learn all you can, you never lose the skill......
Gup
You too! The electrician we hire for an service up grade on a four plex has not called us back in a year. We sued him and won a judgement. of about three grand. His bid was 5,ooo we paid out about 3,000 to him bids to finish his mess 6,000.
He hung a four pack meter base and one of 4 pannel which is still on the old service, lefted all the pannels behind as well as service wire and breakers.
You get bids to finish give him a call and say the job cost 5000 to finish it is now 6,000 I will sue you for the difference.
Our guy did not show up for court.
Is your guy named Dan?
Wallyo
Have you checked the obit's? Maybe he's down and out with something.
Maybe his company went belly-up.
Best thing probably is to drive over to his house if you know where he lives or his office and give him the ultimatum.
Edited 8/5/2009 7:38 am ET by ted