DB Electric

Review: After he came out to the residence to view the job and provide an estimate for the work, I contracted with [redacted], dba Dreds Electric, on 5/18/2014 to complete a 400 amp heavy-up and relocation of electric meter at [redacted], MD that had been started and abandoned by a previous electrical contractor. **. [redacted] charged me $500 for the electrical permit, saying that he had to get it through another business, because he did not yet have his Master's License, and that is what the business charged him. The remainder of the work would be done for $350, for a total of $850, including all materials and labor, per a written agreement. The work was to be completed by 5/19/14, and he was to coordinate the work and inspection with my parents, who were acting as my representatives, who would be on-site, since I would be at work.

After he began the job, **. [redacted] began trying to increase the amount of the compensation almost immediately. He claimed [redacted] was getting him the permit, and **. [redacted] had changed his price from $500 to $640. He put a call (supposedly to **. [redacted]) on speakerphone to confirm that the price of the permit was now $640. **. [redacted] attempted to get me to pay the additional $140, even though we had a written agreement. By and through my representative, my mother, [redacted], I informed him that I was not willing to modify our contract. **. [redacted] also alleged that he was not aware the job entailed purchasing circuit breakers (the contract price included all labor and materials), even though he had seen the entire job and had used its alleged intensity to justify his price. He claimed he needed approximately six or eight 20 amp breakers and a 50 amp double-pole breaker, and that would be another $100. My mother told him she did not believe the cost should be that high, so she accompanied him to the store. The cost of the breakers was less than $35, and my mother paid $20 of the cost, just to avoid delays.

**. [redacted] apparently secured the permit for the work on 5/29/2014. When we finally saw a copy of the permit on 5/20/14, it raised several questions, especially since it was not an original. The permit indicated that it was not obtained by [redacted], but by [redacted] of [redacted]. The permit did not say anything about a “heavy up and relocation of the panel,” but instead referred to the work as “replacing 2 sub-panls.” We did not know if that made a difference, but it seemed odd. We looked the permit information up on the website to confirm that it had really been issued, and it appeared legitimate, so we decided that the wording was probably unimportant and we allowed **. [redacted] to proceed.

During the time he was working on the job, **. [redacted] proved to be less than professional. He arrived late; wreaked of alcohol and appeared to be inebriated most of the time; left on two occasions, claiming he was taking a lunch break, and returned several hours later, later admitting to my representatives that he had stopped and taken a nap; and he generally dragged his feet about completing the job. He started the job on 5/18/14 and failed to complete the job on 5/19/14 per our agreement. He made very little progress on 5/20/14. He made comments to his assistant in the presence of my mother on 5/20/14 about how he dealt with a previous customer who “jerked him around” about his money. My mother interpreted his comments as being a threat to leave the work incomplete if we did not agree to pay him more money. At the end of the day, he requested to meet with my mother on 5/21/14 to discuss the job. Arrangements were made for them to meet at 8:00 a.m. on 5/21/14.

**. [redacted] arrived late and wreaking of alcohol to the meeting on 5/21/14, which he had requested. He apologized for his tardiness. During this meeting, he told my parents that he had underbid the job and he needed more money. He claimed he was unaware of what it entailed, even though he had thoroughly reviewed the job prior to accepting it. He said he should have charged at least $500 more than what he charged, and we needed to decide what we wanted to do. When my mother reminded him that we had a written agreement, he said he was not motivated to work for such little money and we should agree to pay him the additional $500. We would not agree and he took his tools and left. I have reason to believe that the $105 permit for which I was charged $500 was also cancelled, but I do not know for sure.

My mother contacted **. [redacted] and requested that he be a man of his word and complete the job for the agreed upon price. His response was that that was not going to happen, and he had a very flippant attitude. We attempted to contact **. [redacted] via the telephone number listed on the permit (###-###-####) and continually got a recording saying the mailbox was full. No one ever answered that number. Judging by the totality of the circumstances, it appears that this might be a scam that these people run on unsuspecting homeowners on a regular basis. First, it seems unethical (and possibly illegal) to charge homeowners $500 for a permit that actually costs $105 (per the amount listed on the receipt). It is certainly unethical for the electrical contractor to then renege on a written agreement and leave the homeowner in a worse condition than when she started out. This “bait and switch” tactic is unfair and improper, and it would be contrary to public policy for the Revdex.com to allow this situation to continue unaddressed. If electricians with their Master License are helping people like **. [redacted] perpetrate this fraud on consumers (which apparently they are doing for a hefty price), then they should be accountable for their part in the conspiracy to commit fraud. **. [redacted] has admitted that he is not an employee of **. [redacted] or **. [redacted], and that getting them to acquire electrical permits for him is simply a business arrangement. Where **. [redacted] fails to see the problem with this, because it allows him to engage in these unfair dealings with his customers and attempt to extort additional money from them to get him to complete the work he started, I am sure you will find consumers out there who are being disadvantaged by such unscrupulous dealings.

This complaint is against [redacted], dba [redacted], who acquired the permit and [redacted], dba Dreds Electric, who failed to perform, because both were a part of the conspiracy to defraud. I have attempted to resolve this through direct contact to no avail. **. [redacted] was given the option of completing the work at the agreed-upon price or returning the money he was paid, especially that inflated price for the permit, and he has declined. We were unable to reach **. [redacted] for resolution, and feel that filing this complaint might be the appropriate way to reach out to him to resolve this matter that could adversely affect his reputation.

Numerous Internet searches using the address and telephone number provided by **. [redacted] on the permit indicate a business named [redacted] and a business named DB Electric LLC, both owned by **. [redacted], so it is unclear under which name this complaint should be filed. What appears not to be in question is that **. [redacted] is the one who acquired this permit and aided and abetted **. [redacted] in this venture.

Since I am usually unavailable during the day, please contact my mother, [redacted], at ###-###-#### with any questions or concerns you might have regarding this complaint. She has power of attorney for me and is also acting as my personal representative in this matter. Your prompt attention to this matter would be appreciated.Desired Settlement: Either **. [redacted] or **. [redacted] should finish the job at the agreed-upon price (per our written agreement). **. [redacted] was paid $650.00 on 5/18/14 ($500 for the permit and $150 to start the job). He was to received $100 upon completion and the $100 balance after inspection and approval of the work. That agreement should be honored.