Finding an electrician

[78C-10]

Hello GJ folks, I have a bit of an issue. I am finaly financially able to get electricity to the garage. I had an electrician give me a quote, he was referred to me by my FIL. I called him to tell him I was ready to move forward with the job. No answer, I left a voicemail, no response. I called the next day, no answer. I sent a text, no response. I have tried calling twice a day for three days. I'm getting upset with this guy and might start looking for another electrician soon. I'll try one more time on Monday, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt that maybe he is a hunter and is on a trip this past week. Have any of you guys had similar issues with contractors? Without joining Angies List what is the best route to find a good, competent electrician?

 

[NUTTSGT]

You might want to update your location in your profile. It may help other members that are fairly local to you help find that electrician.

Also check out this thread:

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242721

 

[78C-10]

Sorry, northern Illinois, just outside of Rockford.

 

[D45]

Angie's List worked great for me, when finding an electrician for the kitchen remodel

For my garage, I am going to save time and wire most myself and just have an electrician come in "on the side" and finish it

 

[matt_i]

I would not worry as much about finding an electrician, skill-wise, to do a "residential" job, if they hold any sort of licensing. If there are electricians who can't do this kind of base-work they would probably kill themselves or burn something down by now. Electrical work, by nature, requires a commonsense focus on good quality work with not much else in between.

I have seen a few janky things at the height of the early 2000s building boom, yes. But these were people who I don't think had any licensing, and were paid "by the house" so were working as fast as humanly possible.

 

[truckman5000]

If your area lets you do it yourself as a home owner. Why not do the job yourself, we can help.

 

[CadillacJack]

Visit the nearest bar/********** around 3p. You'll find several.

 

[frankush]

If he hasn't called you back in a day or two, at most, lose his number. I still believe it's best if you get a referral from someone who's used them in the past and is happy with the work done. If pulling a permit, stroll down to your municipality and talk to the inspector. Tell him your dilemma and ask if there are any electricians that do good work locally, that he might recommend. Get three or four names if you can. Most inspectors will not give an actual referral, but many will toss out some names that work in town. Those that **** will not get mentioned.

 

[78C-10]

If he hasn't called you back in a day or two, at most, lose his number. I still believe it's best if you get a referral from someone who's used them in the past and is happy with the work done. If pulling a permit, stroll down to your municipality and talk to the inspector. Tell him your dilemma and ask if there are any electricians that do good work locally, that he might recommend. Get three or four names if you can. Most inspectors will not give an actual referral, but many will toss out some names that work in town. Those that **** will not get mentioned.

Thank you frankush, I never thought of asking an inspector. I may go that route. My FIL has used this guy and liked him but for some reason I guess he doesn't need the work or figures I'll wait.

 

[78C-10]

Visit the nearest bar/********** around 3p. You'll find several.

lol, these are the ones I'm trying to weed out.

 

[78C-10]

If your area lets you do it yourself as a home owner. Why not do the job yourself, we can help.

As Dirty Harry once said "A man's got to know his limitations". Running electrical is my limitation. I can replace an outlet, wall switch, or fixture but I don't want to mess with running the power. I would rather leave this to someone is licensed and insured, knows what he is doing (I hope), and can have it done in a rather timely (I hope again)manner. When it comes to risking getting zapped or burning one or both of the places down I'd rather have a pro do it so that doesn't happen. I know I would get lots of help here and thank you for the offer.

 

[brownbagg]

its easy hook the black wire to the black wire, white to white,

 

[Slednut]

When I did an addition to my shop/house I found an electrician that let me help. Ended up costing me half what was quoted form other guys. I also installed all the outlets and switches. If they do it right even 3 and 4 way switches are easy.

 

[Racer_X]

The local inspector is your best source of finding out who to hire.

 

[laser3kw]

Hello 78c-10
I am also in the Rockford area. A couple of years ago when I had the need for an electrician, I ran into the same dilemma. Most never returned calls, one showed up drunk, stinking of booze (he was from "a reputable company"!), one made an appointment to meet with me, I took off work, he never showed.
I ended up calling the garage builder contractor that built the garage (Teslow) and he recommended an electrical contractor named "Can-Duit" out of Stillman Valley. Can-Duit link
I called "Rod", he made an appointment to meet with me and showed up, looked over the project. Basically the project was to run power from house panel, trench 75feet and install shop panel, with permits. He gave me a quote, reasonable, I approved it. He showed up the next Wednesday and did the job. Winnebago Co inspector came out and signed off. The only evidence there was a 6 inch wide disturbance in the grass were they trenched.
I can say more how painless the deal was and the great job they did. He listen to me and gave me sound advice on the direction I need to go.
Give them a call and report back to us!
PS I am not affiliated with the contractor other than I am a pleased customer.
actually, kind of timely, I am getting ready to call him back to trench my NG pipe for my heater!

 

[Bjm364]

I sent you a PM with contact info for a great electrical contractor in the Rockford area.

 

[HOTFR8]

Sorry, northern Illinois, just outside of Rockford.

Would still help more if you updated it in your profile.

 

[Slowgsr]

I recently got a job because I was referred by one of the local inspectors.
A guy tried to do his own service (live) with no permit. So he got an order to comply.

 

[78C-10]

Thank you bjm364 and laser3kw, I sent you both PM's. This site is great, a lot of help here.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Guys get busy this time of year,Im so far behind that Ill have to live another 50 years if In hope to get caught up.
People just cant seem to grasp the words or concept that Im retired!
The guy I normally give my overload electrical work to is working on a 6 week powerplant shut down in Arkansas for another 2-3 weeks,So here I am running the streets 7 days a week!

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I recently got a job because I was referred by one of the local inspectors.
A guy tried to do his own service (live) with no permit. So he got an order to comply.

 

[motofool33]

its sad i made some calls got referrals to good electrical contractors, none of them would even quote me on installing my 7.5hp Quincy line to the panel which is only a 3-5ft run from the panel. sad world these days. they tell me job is too small

 

[nadogail]

When I feel a need for outside help, I get referrals from someone knowledgeable.

I use a plumber that was recommended by an insurance claims supervisor, he is both reasonable and good.

I was happy with the electrician a kitchen remodeler recommended.

My painter is a good source of talent recommendation.

 

[78C-10]

Guys get busy this time of year,Im so far behind that Ill have to live another 50 years if In hope to get caught up.
People just cant seem to grasp the words or concept that Im retired!
The guy I normally give my overload electrical work to is working on a 6 week powerplant shut down in Arkansas for another 2-3 weeks,So here I am running the streets 7 days a week!

I understand he may be or is busy and thats fine. I would just like a phone call or even a text saying he's busy and can't get to me for awhile. But to blow me off and not respond just seems like a crappy way to run a business. JMO

 

[nh_yota]

Tradespeople (especially one-man operations) are often busy with work during the day so it's not uncommon for them to return calls after business hours.

With that said, it's entirely unprofessional to not return a call within one or two business days or go on vacation without forwarding to an answering service or leaving an outgoing message explaining such. Red flags are there for a reason.

 

[simpler=better]

Do you work in a building with lights at your job?

If so, the guys down in the maintenance shop will know who to call that doesn't mess stuff up.


Shoot, a couple of them might be electricians. We have at least one licensed electrician on the maintenance staff, and he's glad to pull permits & do weekend jobs at people's houses.

 

[nh_yota]

Do you work in a building with lights at your job?

If so, the guys down in the maintenance shop will know who to call that doesn't mess stuff up.


Shoot, a couple of them might be electricians. We have at least one licensed electrician on the maintenance staff, and he's glad to pull permits & do weekend jobs at people's houses.

That's actually how I found my electrician, I asked the facilities manager at my office building (same town) who they call for work.

 

[78C-10]

Do you work in a building with lights at your job?

If so, the guys down in the maintenance shop will know who to call that doesn't mess stuff up.


Shoot, a couple of them might be electricians. We have at least one licensed electrician on the maintenance staff, and he's glad to pull permits & do weekend jobs at people's houses.

Unfortunately our maintenance guys are dispatched out of the main branch which is 90 miles away. They don't even live out this way.

 

[78C-10]

Tradespeople (especially one-man operations) are often busy with work during the day so it's not uncommon for them to return calls after business hours.

With that said, it's entirely unprofessional to not return a call within one or two business days or go on vacation without forwarding to an answering service or leaving an outgoing message explaining such. Red flags are there for a reason.

This guy hasn't even called after hours, I told him on the voicemail I left he can call me anytime. This Wednesday will be a week since I called and left a voicemail, called again and sent a text (yes it was his cell phone) on Thursday, still no answer. I called twice on Friday with no answer and this time a computer Verizon voice came on saying the Verizon customer I am trying to reach is unavailable, so I wasn't even getting his voicemail.

 

[naturalgas]

I wouldn't want that guy. I'm retired and do the occasional heat call,boiler and furnace installs . Even if I'm not interested I answer the phone and try to help people out.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[simpler=better]

Unfortunately our maintenance guys are dispatched out of the main branch which is 90 miles away. They don't even live out this way.

Go BS with the guys down at your local electrical/hvac/plumbing house (Rexel is a big chain). They will know 50 guys looking for work.

 

[nh_yota]

I'm not a fan of Angie's List because it's a legal extortion racket.