I'm going to preface this review by stating that I am an engineer with a degree in Electrical Engineering. That means I research everything to death when I have a big home project. I also try to understand all aspects of the project, learn the lingo, and try to understand the relevant node (NEC in this case). It also means that I am particular about what I want done, how it gets done and can be seen as "picky" (ask my wife).
I was replacing a 50yr old flush mount electrical box with a 100A main. I wanted to replace it with a 200A panel with a 50A inlet to allow for connection of a generator (for SCE PSPS's) and a 50A outlet in the garage for a future electric car, all with permits. I got quotes from several places and Rock Bottom (RBC) was the first to respond and come out to provide an estimate. We talked thru the options and Mike listened and made suggestions. Rather than a 50A outlet in the garage, he convinced me that for almost the same cost I could run a 100A sub-panel which would provide a lot more flexibility in the future. He provided a quote on the spot and then followed up in text. Since RBC is licensed for both electrical and general construction, he could also include the stucco restoration (minus the paint). This was an important differentiator from others who either had to sub out the stucco or I would have to find someone on my own. Mike also advised me to get my meter spot as soon as possible which I did and it really helped. Mike waited patiently as I gathered a few quotes, but in the end, RBC was the best option and we signed a contract on a Friday. Since he had the panel in stock, they started the work the following Monday - talk about fast turnaround!
Monday morning rolled around and they were there early to start the stucco demo and installation. Once I let them in, I went to work and my wife went elsewhere (since the AC would be off for the day). I got home around 4 and the work was still proceeding. Unfortunately, the scope of the work turned out be bigger than Mike originally thought, but there was never any pressure to change the terms of our contract as a result. His guys worked hard until almost 9pm to get our power back on. I felt bad because it was so hot on the west side of the house in the afternoon sun. I did what I could for them with battery powered fans, but I can only imagine it was miserable. Once they got most things hooked up I quickly ran around and made sure most things were working and they left for the night.
The next day they returned to do the last few hook ups (outside stuff which wasn't needed the first night) and grounding to the hot water heater. Unfortunately, some problems started arising then. When I got home I found that the pool pump wasn't working and a grounding wire for the solar wasn't reconnected. So back they came the next day and fixed those items.
Once I mapped out all the circuits while waiting for city inspection I also found that a circuit that used to be 20A was now on a 15A breaker, and unfortunately was one of the most used circuits in the house. Mike offered to fix it after inspection.
Inspection took a few days to get scheduled and once it came, unfortunately no one from RBC was present so the inspector couldn't complete the inspection and left a correction notice. Re-inspection was 2 days later and we passed with a couple corrections allowing stucco to happen the very next day. Mikes stucco guy showed up early the next morning as promised (though a specific start time was never communicated) and he had to work all day to get everything patched up. And per Mike's promise when we signed the contract, he also repaired some damaged stucco in my courtyard.
A couple days later Mike came by to install the generator inlet (needed to wait for the stucco to dry) and swap out the 15A circuit that used to be a 20A. Unfortunately, the circuit replacement wasn't done correctly and the correction items on the inspection weren't completed. Mike didn't have easy access to the right breaker, so I ended up ordering it on Amazon for him to install.
Final inspection happened and we passed, even without finishing the correction items (which is weird). Mike came by a couple days later to finish up, including installing the breaker I ordered, but I was out of town on business and I asked him to coordinate with my wife and provided her phone number. Mike gave a 2 day window to come and never contacted her, so she had to stick around waiting, not knowing when he'd show up (she had to open the garage for one of the correction items). But finally, everything was completed, exactly a month after the first day of work.
Overall, the work was high quality and the initial work was done very quickly, but the missed inspection, several mistakes and inconsistent proactive communication (though whenever I messaged Mike, he always messaged back quickly) make this a 4 star instead of 5 star review. But do remember, I'm picky. read more