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Should I pay this electrician?

2

22go

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Joined
Mar 28, 2006
Messages
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Last week, I had an electrician come to give me an estimate on outdoor lighting. While he was here, I asked if he did indoor lighting and he said yes. He quickly looked at the issue and asked to have the circuit shut off. At that point I said - before we go any further what will I owe you. He said $75. I said $75 if you get the lights to work and he said yes.
45 minutes later he could not fix the problem and said it must be the switch. He wanted to be paid the $75 for trouble shooting. I said I would pay him after I purchased a new switch and the lights worked. He left and the new switch did not fix the problem.
I will now have to hire another electrician but the question is - do I pay the first electrician?
Thanks!
 
22go said:
Last week, I had an electrician come to give me an estimate on outdoor lighting. While he was here, I asked if he did indoor lighting and he said yes. He quickly looked at the issue and asked to have the circuit shut off. At that point I said - before we go any further what will I owe you. He said $75. I said $75 if you get the lights to work and he said yes.
45 minutes later he could not fix the problem and said it must be the switch. He wanted to be paid the $75 for trouble shooting. I said I would pay him after I purchased a new switch and the lights worked. He left and the new switch did not fix the problem.
I will now have to hire another electrician but the question is - do I pay the first electrician?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
The man invested nearly an hour of his professional time. Although he did not successfully diagnose or repair your problem, you owe him $75. He’s not running a charity.
 
22go said:
Last week, I had an electrician come to give me an estimate on outdoor lighting. While he was here, I asked if he did indoor lighting and he said yes. He quickly looked at the issue and asked to have the circuit shut off. At that point I said - before we go any further what will I owe you. He said $75. I said $75 if you get the lights to work and he said yes.
45 minutes later he could not fix the problem and said it must be the switch. He wanted to be paid the $75 for trouble shooting. I said I would pay him after I purchased a new switch and the lights worked. He left and the new switch did not fix the problem.
I will now have to hire another electrician but the question is - do I pay the first electrician?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Why are you not having the first electrician come back and complete the repair? He's already invested time and thought on your problem.

Even if you don't want to hire him again, I would pay him the $75. He did look into the problem, he did come up with a theory about why it wasn't working. The next electrician will have a running start because one solution has already been eliminated.
 
It’s not fixed
I do service
I would never expect to be paid for something I didn’t fix, it wasn’t either problem he said it was
Since he was on an estimate anyway he didn’t waste a trip , just a little time.

If he was called out to diagnose the problem his time is money, I get it.
His diagnoses was wrong ‍♂️
 
None of us were party to the discussion or how it evolved. I would say go with what you believe to be the fair and honest thing to do.
 
wackymother said:
Why are you not having the first electrician come back and complete the repair? He's already invested time and thought on your problem.

Even if you don't want to hire him again, I would pay him the $75. He did look into the problem, he did come up with a theory about why it wasn't working. The next electrician will have a running start because one solution has already been eliminated.
Click to expand...
I emailed him the same day and said that the new switch did not fix the problem, so that was not the problem. I have not heard from him since (a week ago).
 
22go said:
I emailed him the same day and said that the new switch did not fix the problem, so that was not the problem. I have not heard from him since (a week ago).
Click to expand...

If you installed the switch that could be the problem. To the electrician you are now a dead beat. Why would he call you ?

Bill
 
People go to doctors with problems all the time and pay them for their time/services, sometimes the doctor is not correct in diagnosis the first go round. It's process of elimination
 
If he did not get it working and that was what you agreed to pay for then you owe nothing and he should expect nothing.
 
Don't pay him. Then he can file a Workman's Lien against you. Then this $75 (plus late charges and interest) can hold up your ability to sell your house.

Is $75 worth it?

Jim
 
easyrider said:
If you installed the switch that could be the problem. To the electrician you are now a dead beat. Why would he call you ?

Bill
Click to expand...
He did not have a switch on his truck so I had to buy one . We agreed to this and I said that I would let him know if it worked.
 
Passepartout said:
Don't pay him. Then he can file a Workman's Lien against you. Then this $75 (plus late charges and interest) can hold up your ability to sell your house.

Is $75 worth it?

Jim
Click to expand...
A good way to lose future business. I would tell him do not worry about the quote.
 
22go said:
He did not have a switch on his truck so I had to buy one . We agreed to this and I said that I would let him know if it worked.
Click to expand...

Often times when there is no power the reset on a gfi plug needs attention. Maybe check your gfi's by re-seting them all. That will be $75 please, lol.

Bill
 
So, a whole bank of my kitchen lights went out recently. My husband was confident it was the switch but we didn't have one and he doesn't get around too well (and I refuse to do anything associated with electricity!) so, I called an electrician. He came, fipped the circuit breaker (no effect) and checked out the switch. It was the switch but, he deidn't have one so he had to go to the (nearby) Lowes to get one. He installed it. The lights worked and he left with $150. My question is, where do you find an electrician for $75??!!
 
nightnurse613 said:
My question is, where do you find an electrician for $75??!!
Click to expand...

It helped that he was there already for something else, and didn't have to drive.
Another question: Why post all in bold when we can read fine without?
.
 
If I told someone that I can fix something and it will cost $75, either it is fixed and I expect to be paid. Or it isn't fixed and I don't expect to be paid.

Although, considering people these days, I'd get that in writing -- doesn't matter which side of the transaction I'm on. Otherwise it's my word against theirs.
 
Pay the man. he gave you a free estimate, and he attempted to fix your light. Plus free time and trouble.
PS it is either the light fixture, switch or a mouse ate the wires.
 
ScoopKona said:
If I told someone that I can fix something and it will cost $75, either it is fixed and I expect to be paid. Or it isn't fixed and I don't expect to be paid.

Although, considering people these days, I'd get that in writing -- doesn't matter which side of the transaction I'm on. Otherwise it's my word against theirs.
Click to expand...
Common ground. $75 or $150 seem like a lot for me and glad I am not paying those crazy prices for simple jobs.
 
At this point, unless he sends an invoice or bill, I say do nothing. He isn't returning calls so don't worry about it, he has probably moved on. But if you get a bill, just pay it and be done with it.
 
22go said:
Last week, I had an electrician come to give me an estimate on outdoor lighting. While he was here, I asked if he did indoor lighting and he said yes. He quickly looked at the issue and asked to have the circuit shut off. At that point I said - before we go any further what will I owe you. He said $75. I said $75 if you get the lights to work and he said yes.
45 minutes later he could not fix the problem and said it must be the switch. He wanted to be paid the $75 for trouble shooting. I said I would pay him after I purchased a new switch and the lights worked. He left and the new switch did not fix the problem.
I will now have to hire another electrician but the question is - do I pay the first electrician?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
To me the key point is: "I said $75 if you get the lights to work and he said yes."

He agreed to those conditions.
 
You have a contract with him (verbal). He will either send you an invoice or he won't. I wouldn't chase him down to pay it. If he calls you back, then have an honest conversation and make sure you are both in agreement. FWIW, my guess is that he doesn't want to do business with you.
 
Passepartout said:
Don't pay him. Then he can file a Workman's Lien against you. Then this $75 (plus late charges and interest) can hold up your ability to sell your house.

Is $75 worth it?

Jim
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. Must be notified in signed work contract up-front and they only have limied time (approx 20 days) past work date to file. (At least per Calif law)

Bottom line: Likely will not bother for $75. And there doesn't appear to be a signed contract.

How to Prevent a Mechanics Lien -CSLB

www.cslb.ca.gov www.cslb.ca.gov
 
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