In one word: inconsistent.
In more words:
After a problem getting my initial call returned, I was able to book an estimate with Live Wire. I had a list of changes: new thermostats, replacing a spotlight with a can light, and replacing two bathroom fans and their switches (going from fans with heat lamps to fans without lamps, and from three switches in the plate to two). During the estimate, I was told that completely replacing the switch plate would leave a drywall hole, which they couldn't patch, so we agreed to a "filler" switch to avoid the hole. I wasn't happy about it, but I agreed I didn't want to patch drywall if I didn't have to.
We like the thermostats, and the can light was properly installed. During the visit, the electrician(s) discovered that the circuit for our baseboard heaters was overpowered and let us know this was a fire risk. They recommended fixing it and we had them do that. This was good of them and I'm glad they brought it up. The fan install wasn't really to my liking. They left huge holes in my ceiling -- which I understand was the result of the new fan not fitting like the old one, and I do get that -- but that left me with the burden of finding someone to patch the drywall. So then my question became: why not change out the switches like I had wanted? I already needed to hire someone for the drywall, but they still used the ugly workaround of a blank/dead switch in the three-switch plate. This was disappointing, but I kinda (only kinda!) understood how it happened (different people doing the work than the estimate), so, fine. I can live with it, annoying as it is, and the rest of the work was good so I can forgive that.
We sold the property those changes were made on and moved. In the new house, we needed an electrician to swap out some fixtures and replace some outlets. I was willing enough to use Live Wire again because of the mostly-positive experience (and it's damn hard to get an electrician to call you back these days). I called, and Brian came out for an estimate again. He was very consultative, which was great, and didn't push me to do work that I wasn't sure about.
And that was it.
I never received an estimate, even though I reached back out to try and check in. There was still no response. I get that it's a busy time to be in a construction-y trade, but please do not come out and make me explain everything just to flake after. It's a waste of my time (and theirs, really). read more