I had 2 outlets that suddenly lost power in my rental property. I checked the reset button on all GFCI outlets and I also checked that the breakers were on. No luck so I decided to hire someone. I found this company on Thumbtack and called them because they advertised free estimates. The owner of the company Chris came the same day and before even looking at the job told me he charges $100 for a diagnostic and $350 to repair it. I asked what about the free estimate? He said he just gave me an estimate. But he didn't even look at the job and doesn't know what the problem is? He said I have to pay him $100 first and then he will look at the job. That's when I knew I was in trouble.
He then said he will lower his price to $350 total with a 1 year warranty, instantly dropping the price from $450 to $350. Obviously trying to gouge me right off the bat. He said he has a lot of customers and will leave immediately unless I make a decision now. The pressure was on. I told him we need to first find out what the problem is so I told him to do the diagnostic.
I had a meeting for work that I went into while he did the diagnostic. My meeting went about an hour and a half and afterwards I checked my phone. I had a dozen missed calls, a couple of voicemails, and tons of text messages from the contractor and my tenant. What hell is going on?!!? After reviewing the text messages, I learned that 30 minutes after I got into my work meeting, the contractor called me and said the problem was one of the standard outlets had failed. He said he replaced the outlet and I have to pay him $350. He kept calling and calling and of course I was in a work meeting so I didn't answer. He then threated my tenant that if he doesn't get his $350 he will undo the work he did and leave.
I was furious. First, it was a minor repair he quickly fixed without my authorization and he charged me $350 for it. Replacing a standard outlet is very easy work and a handyman would charge as little as $50, and a company like Michel and Son or other licensed electrician would want $175 max for it. Again with the price gouging.
Second, he insisted on getting paid immediately and held my tenant hostage refusing to leave and threatening to undo his work. I was in a work meeting. It was absurd.
Third, he kept going on and on about the outlet had caught on fire and if I don't replace all the outlets in the entire house my tenant will be in danger. This is pure contractor BS. The outlet did not catch fire and my tenant is not in danger. He purposely said this in front of my tenant as an obvious scare tactic to get more work and money out of me. The nerve of this guy.
My tenant was scared and upset. He told me he thinks Chris will come back angry. I argued with Chris and told him what I think of his behavior. It was a mess and I was stressed out. All over replacing one little outlet.
In the end, I rightfully refused to pay his price gouge of $350 to replace one standard outlet and, although I wanted to pay nothing because of everything he put me through, I ended up sending him a diagnostic fee. I also had to file a police report for his threatening behavior so that he does not come back to the property and harass me or my tenant. It was a horrible experience. Do not hire this guy. read more