As I have said on my very few reviews that I do on Yelp (not 10 yet), I don't believe in leaving spectacular reviews for businesses that are just doing the job you are paying them for. Though in today's world, getting what you're paying for is in of itself a reason to celebrate. We moved into a log home in the VC Highlands that had what appeared to temporary construction power poles still providing the power for the residence and the matching log barn. I knew they would need to be addressed after we settled in. Well we had a fire in the log barn the first winter, which put us behind, with a new priority going to getting a new outbuilding erected for heavy equipment and misc. other vehicles. Once shop was up, we returned our attention to the construction power poles. I bought and set new NV energy type power poles to replace the now almost falling over 4x6 poles. Then I started looking for a company to do the line switch from old to new. Some of the larger companies capable of doing the work in the area came and gave their bids. I thought they were a bit high, but they always say, you get what you pay for. Well then, a friend told me about "The Electrician". I called Dan Phetteplace, the owner, and he was up in less than a week to give me an estimate, which was much better than those big companies. But what really impressed me was I could see his and his trusty side kick and apprentice Vince's work ethics as soon as they got out of the van. We shook hands, he set me up an appointment along with the discussed price in writing. They showed up promptly at the appointed time during March 2020. Well, as one would expect when moving power from one set of poles to another, power was shut down completely to the residence. The weather was cooperating initially but soon deteriorated. Winds were easily 25-35mph with gust much higher. I work from home, so I was able to observe their work as it progressed. What I also observed was the weather conditions as they continued to get very nasty, winds now in the 35-45mph range, with gusts now way over 55mph. Now I was concerned whether they would be able to continue. I got off work at 14:30, and then checked on them every 45 min or so. Now it started to sleet, and temperatures were just above freezing, but they just kept pushing through. I spent 26 years in the U.S. and Dutch Marines special operations, so I have seen my share of impressive drive, determination and sheer toughness. These two men, Dan and Vince were really starting to impress the hell out of me. It was now dark, temps below freezing, winds howling, snow going horizontally as they are still at it, up on ladders that are strapped to the power poles, flashlights in their teeth getting it done. Again, I am checking on them, brought them some headlamps as their batteries are dying in their flashlights. The work ended if I remember correctly around 21:30, and power was restored to the residence. I brought them into the house, got them in front of the pellet stove to warm up some before we settled. I told them how impressed I was with their work ethic, and Dan looked me in the eyes, still soaked to the bone and said calmly, I won't ever leave a customer without power. Kind of one of those stories that you may wonder if this old Jarhead maybe exaggerating. Nope, me and my wife of 43 years both witnessed it.
Well what Dan and Vince didn't know is they just auditioned for wiring up my new outbuilding. I put out bids for the outbuilding to Dan and Vince, and two other electrical contractors. Dan and Vince's bid again came in significantly lower than the other two companies, so the decision was a joy to make. It's a big outbuilding, 60'x30', 45'x30' for equipment, the last 15'x30' as a bar, with bathroom with bidet wiring and laundry. Six large industrial 25000 lumen UFO lights on dimmers and occupancy sensors out in vehicle bays, over 150 outlets, some with built in USB ports in the bays, more in the bar end, and another ten or so in over twenty foot ceiling for fans and garage door openers. Outside lighting as well. When Dan and Vince started, I told them, wire it as if it were your own shop, as I'm not an electrician, but also didn't want to say after the fact, ahh, I wish I would have done this or that. The additional work he suggested he priced very reasonable for me, and all were approved before he added them. He also allowed me and helped me to source all my lighting fixtures through Amazon, which us a saved a ton money.
If you have a wiring job, whether just fixing a few outlets, stringing a light or two, or complete residential/commercial job, you'd be crazy not to include them when sending out for bids on your project. Besides their great skills and work ethics, they are good human beings!
Charlie in VC Highlands. read more
