Good news/bad news about dealing with contractors

[xiphias]

So, we've been trying to get the electrician to show up with the wire inspector to get his work inspected for the past month and a half. Literally. It's been six weeks since the electrician finished his work, and nothing else can be done until the work is inspected.

Finally, today, the electrician deigned to show up with the wire inspector.

That's the good news.

Then there's the bad news.

None of his work passed inspection.

At what point is homicide considered not only justifiable, but morally imperative?

Comments

[arib.livejournal.com]

None? Shit.

How much will he expect you to pay to fix his handiwork?

[mattblum.livejournal.com]

I think that, by the time it becomes a moral imperative, it's not usually called "homicide" any longer.

That does well and truly suck. What do you do now? Get him to redo the work, hoping that this time it'll pass inspection? Or hire someone else?

[asciikitty.livejournal.com]

make him pay to have someone else hired?

I mean, that won't work, making him redo his work for free is more likely to happen, but... wow.

[asciikitty.livejournal.com]

if he's something like decent, he'll expect zero dollars for it.

i doubt that's what will happen, but it's a nice hope.

[navrins]

I didn't realize that was possible. I sort of figured as long as it was done legally by a professional and you paid the right fees, you're good to go.

Guess not.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't contemplate homicide exactly, but I would make him fix the bad work he did for free...on threat of lawsuit.

[gingicat]

Sic the insurance company on him. He may not have a business when they're done.

[holzman.livejournal.com]

If he's not willing to make good on his incompetence for free, ask him how a call to the BBB, his union, and local media stations about the matter grabs him.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

No, it also has to be done CORRECTLY.

Did you get the name of the wire inspector?

[dakiwiboid.livejournal.com]

Or his card? I'm sure he'll be a witness for you in small claims court or with the insurance company.

[cellio]

Wow, that sucks. He damn well better fix it for free and in a timely manner. Your insurance company, the BBB, and the licensing body for electricians ought to be able to help make that happen.

[bluepapercup]

This really requires a call (as mentioned above), to the liscencing board and the union. That kind of shoddy work is unacceptable and he should be ashamed, as well as called on it.

[sarianna.livejournal.com]

Homicide? Yes. Shoddy work on that and you only get disfiguring scars and not the life-ending shock intended.

Or you could've meant wiring. Which could also lead to life-ending shock. Hmm..

[marquisedea.livejournal.com]

What is wrong with these people?

[wargoddess.livejournal.com]

If you have paid him in full already, a suit in small claims costs around $200.00 last time I checked, which was admittedly a while back. You can roll the court costs into the suit.

Calling the BBB is a good move. Electricians all need to be licensed, call the licensing board if he refuses to make good or refund you money. It doesn't matter how much work he did, if he did it wrong he shouldn't get paid.

If yo have not finished paying him, smart move.

The wire inspector may be able to reccommend a competent electrician to re-do this jack ass' work. You now have a reputable professional as witness that your electrician screwed you.

Good luck.

>^,^< .

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

I vote with everyone who says pursue what legal action you can.

[wargoddess.livejournal.com]

My landlord, who is a licensed electrician, says there is a fund for the re-imbursement of monies spent on electrical work done by licensed electricians. He is going to email me the inf. He also said that you should definitely file a greivance with the board.

>^,^< .

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

Frankly, I'm going to see what our GC does about this. I mean, that's why we have a GC.

[wargoddess.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea IF the GC has been forthcoming and helpful to date. If he has not then you should just go with the legal action. He could easily distract you from taking action until it is too late for you to do so and never do anything for you.

I will get the info for you and post it here, that way if things go wrong with the GC you'll have it handy.

>^,^< .

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

Thanks.