First of all the electrician who did the work, Ted, was great. Very friendly, easy going, easy to talk to, competent. I have no complaint about him or his work. But the overall experience with the company leaves me unable to recommend.
Because of the near perfect review on Home Stars, and all the comments about how timely they are, I called to get an estimate on a Wed or Thurs at 8 am and was told I would be called back shortly to book a time mon-tues. When no one called back all day, I called again in the evening, and was told they wouldn't know when they could come until they did their schedule on Monday, and they'd let me know Monday morning. Tuesday evening they called me and said they could come Thursday and that the work would be completed that day unless there were unexpected complications.
I told them at that time that it was a 10' ceiling, and to make sure to bring a tall enough ladder. Brian (I think that was the name) laughted (not in a malicious way, just saying of course their ladder is tall enough).
So Thursday I was told to expect them around I think 11-1, they finally came at 3. I'd told them my work is pretty flexible and just give me notice, but to me that it still pretty late. They give me an estimate that after tax was over $1100, which seems high to me, and of course if I say no, it still costs ~$100 for the estimate. I didn't want to deal with leaving work more, so I said go ahead. They indicated that they could not complete the job that day because they didn't know they needed a ladder for a 10 foot ceiling, but they said they could probably come back at the end of the next day (Friday) to finish, and that I would be called the next day when they know for sure.
So late Friday afternoon came, and I called to ask if I should keep waiting to hear if they will make it that day, or if they know they can't. They sounded shocked that I thought they might come, and said the soonest would be the next Thurday. They came that day, and did the job. I have no dissatisfaction with the job, but that's what should have happened the first day.
So in summary, good work, good, respectful communication from the electrician. But the price was high, and I felt like I was just being slotted in when convenient as a small, unimportant job, without a price that matched that.
It was just running a wire from an electrical box receptical, up to a switch, up to the attic, and over to a new ceiling box, then hanging the light fixture there. They spent about 1 hr with two electricians, and 2.5 hr with 1, for 3.5 hrs total. $1100 seemed very high for that. I went with it thinking it would be done quickly, and not waiting to try another company and have to juggle more time away from work. But next time I'll try someone else. Maybe my expectations are out of line on price, but a year earlier when a contractor did a rennovation for me, the electrician they got wired a whole bathroom, outlets, fan, and fixture, for half of this. Maybe it is worth the premium for prompt, professional, reliable service. But my experience didn't bear out the claim and reviews of very prompt, quick service. So while the work is good, and maybe the slow service was an exception for them, I can't find the premium price justified and so will likely look elsewhere for the rest of the electrical work I need done.
