Benjamin Electric, Inc.

Customer hired Benjamin Electric in October of to install wiring for an above ground pool (see attached written scope of work). Customer was informed that we did not recommend pool installation until the spring because of the ground starting to freeze and we recommend that all
equipment be in place and ready to test after. Customer wanted to move forward because he had already begun the building permit process. Per email sent on 10/16/(attached) customer was told that we do not want to come until the pool and the pump are in placeInstallation was scheduled for Saturday, December 6, at that point the equipment was not in place as asked and we installed the wiring to the location where we were told the equipment would be placed and installed a hand hole in the ground because we could not install anything else without the equipment in place.We returned on 12/24/to complete the grounding of the pool & equipment but the equipment was not installed in the location we had been told and where we had installed the hand hole. We left wiring in the hand hole, but also informed the customer that there seems to be drainage issues because the hand hole was full of water (see attached picture). We shut off the power to the hand hole at that timeWhen we installed the hand hole initially there was no water present. Once our work was completed electrical inspector for the town of Tewksbury reviewed and approved the work, therefore showing the work we did was to code and properly installed. On May 17, we received a call and email from the customer was now completing the installation of the pool and that the pump was not working and the breaker was trippingWe returned to the customer’s house May 18, and replaced the breaker & the plug to the pump so that everything was set up correctly. Our electrician tested the pump by turning it on and off multiple times and everything worked properly. At this time the homeowner was not there for us to show the system working, but due to the fact there wasn’t much water in the pool we did not leave the pump running.On May 23, 2016, the customer emailed to say the pool was now filled with water and the pump was not working again and the circuit was tripping. I asked if the customer had looked into the hand hole and did it have water in it again because if so that would be the problem and he should look at the yard drainage issues. We tested everything when we were there on the 18th and everything worked properly.On May 23, the customer sent the attached email stating that he had a licensed electrician look at the workI then called the customer and spoke with him stating that the hand hole was used because the equipment was not installed when we can on our first visit and we could not install an Arlington post which is what we would have done if the equipment had been installed. The hand hole was put in the location we were told to put it and the deck/stairs were not installed when we installed the hand hole. I told him we would be happy to remove the hand hole and install the Arlington post but there would be additional fees of about hours of labor and the cost of materials because we would need to install new wiring from the house to the new Arlington postHe declined. He also complained about the skimmer leaking and asked us to repair that which we did. Our electrician went back out on May 24, resealed the skimmer where it was leaking but again the customer was not home to see thisAttached is photo of the hand hole on May 24, 2016, which shows water in the bottom of it and wire nuts which have tape on them which is not work we did. It appears that either the customer added the white tape to the wire nuts or the other electrician he had come over didBecause he or someone else tampered with our wiring we are no longer responsible for the work. As I reminded the customer our installation of the hand hole was to electrical code and we had been approved by the electrical inspector for the town of Tewksbury.In closing we offered to change the wiring to what the customer wanted but not for free, we made every return visit needed to repair items not working within hours. We repaired the breaker and plug and the resealing of the skimmer free of chargeWe do not feel a refund is due to this customer

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # [redacted]. Please add your rejection comments below. 
The following statement is not accurate….“We shut off the power to the hand hole at that time. When we installed the hand hole initially there was no water present.” The electrician that performed the work told me there was water in the hand hole after the job was finished. He specifically told me he turned the breaker off because of the water. This confirms the electrician knowingly installed wiring underground in the presence of water using unsealed wire nuts.The pool contractor installed the pump, filter housing and skimmer Tuesday, December 15, 2015. Everything was installed for the electrical work to be completed. Benjamin Electric responded to, and acknowledged that the equipment was now in place and ready to be wired.December 22, 2015 I received a confirmation email from Benjamin Electric stating that they will be at the house December 24 2015. The pool & equipment was properly installed in order for them to complete the work. As of 5/31/2016, the skimmer has NOT been repaired. It is still leaking. emails attached confirming the pool equipment was installed before the electrician returned to complete the job.
Regards,
[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # [redacted]. Please add your rejection comments below. 
Here’s a synopsis of the events.11/4/15Pool was installed 12/5/15Benjamin electric came out after the pool structure was in place and installed underground wiring and the hand-hole.I clearly remember the electrician stating that he turned the breaker off because of the presence of water. There was water present during the wiring and the electrician acknowledged that fact.  12/15/15The pool contractor returned to my house & installed the pump and skimmer. Everything was installed for the electrical work to be completed (as requested). I informed Benjamin electric that the equipment was now in place. I did not coerce Benjamin electric to return to my house, in any way, shape or form. I’ve always been polite to them. They agreed to do the job by their own free will. 12/24/15Benjamin electric came back after the pool contractor installed the pump, skimmer and filter housing to complete the wiring. I can assure the employees at Benjamin electric that neither I nor has anyone else altered, modified or touched the wiring in the hand hole and added tape to the wire nuts. The mere mention of someone other than a Benjamin electric employee touching the wiring and applying tape is entertaining. 6/1/16The skimmer housing looks as if epoxy was applied during a return visit.It still leaks. This situation is analogous to bringing your car to a mechanic for a brake job. Then bringing the car elsewhere for an inspection. After experiencing problems with the newly installed brakes, the customer returns to the mechanic only to have the mechanic justify his or her faulty work by saying“The inspector put a sticker on your car so the brakes must be okay.”

The customer is neglecting to note that our bid was for us to come out for 1 day to complete the work and in October was told that the equipment needed to be in place before we came out. Per the customer saying he was ready, we came to install all the wiring and grounding on December 5th and the equipment was not in place, we then had to return once the equipment was installed December 15th.  When we installed the wiring December 5th there was no water present.  When we returned on December 24th is when our electrician noted there was water and turned the breaker off because of that and informed the customer he should look into possible drainage issues.  As the customer has unfortunately received bad information regarding the wire nuts.  The wire nuts used are correct and do not need to be direct burial wire nuts because they are in a hand hole. The hand hole location was determined by the customer because the pool company did not put the equipment in the location we were told it would be does not make us responsible for relocating the equipment. We again state, someone other than an Benjamin Electric employee has touched the wiring in the hand hole and added tape to the wire nuts which is not something we did, therefore making anything we did in there null and void because it was done after we received our inspection from the town of Tewksbury. We will not be offering any refund.