Married2Allis
Well-known Member
I got an estimate over the phone to replace a light fixture. Good electrical contractor, had them rewire my main panel a few years ago -- residential and commercial, been in business for years. The office girls are very polite and friendly. The light fixture is up on the ceiling of my hallway which is two stories, about 18 feet above the floor. I'm 61 and thought that's not a job for me even though I could get a ladder and have installed a few lights over the years. We bought the house new in '94 and all the wiring was good and professionally done.
The lady that took my call said sure we can do that, it's $87.50/ hour and we do charge for time from our shop to your address .. and we do have a ladder. So I said fine can you schedule it. 2 weeks later, 2 guys came out with a '16 folding ladder and put it up. The light was ready to install, it was preassembled. Not much to it. I am 38 minutes (google maps) from their shop.
Got the bill, $379. :shock:
- $34 to rent the ladder, and 30 minutes to get it !!
- Total hours = 3 hours @ $115
I called and asked them to send me a new bill, and that I would pay the hourly rate I was quoted, not paying for the ladder, and would allow about 45 minutes (more than enough time) to install fixture. And would allow total of 2 hours (includes 1 hr 15min travel time). Service manager came back with 2-1/2 hours, no ladder fee, same $115 rate.
Not going to play this game, I'm sticking to what I was quoted and a reasonable time allowed (45 minutes for 2 guys is plenty of time, come on). They can eat the extra charges.
Never got a written estimate or contract, is that part of the game?
The lady that took my call said sure we can do that, it's $87.50/ hour and we do charge for time from our shop to your address .. and we do have a ladder. So I said fine can you schedule it. 2 weeks later, 2 guys came out with a '16 folding ladder and put it up. The light was ready to install, it was preassembled. Not much to it. I am 38 minutes (google maps) from their shop.
Got the bill, $379. :shock:
- $34 to rent the ladder, and 30 minutes to get it !!
- Total hours = 3 hours @ $115
I called and asked them to send me a new bill, and that I would pay the hourly rate I was quoted, not paying for the ladder, and would allow about 45 minutes (more than enough time) to install fixture. And would allow total of 2 hours (includes 1 hr 15min travel time). Service manager came back with 2-1/2 hours, no ladder fee, same $115 rate.
Not going to play this game, I'm sticking to what I was quoted and a reasonable time allowed (45 minutes for 2 guys is plenty of time, come on). They can eat the extra charges.
Never got a written estimate or contract, is that part of the game?