Rick West Heating- Plumbing-Electrical

I was approached by the customer, a general contractor, to rough wire a new home that he was building He asked for my terms and I replied that it would be on a time and materials basis at $a man hour for my employee and the same for myself plus a 20% markup on any materials After putting in the permanent amp meter/disconnect, a generator transfer switch , a space main panel, and a bit of the house branch wiring, I billed him $12, This was invoice # [redacted] dated 12/14/and included a breakdown between labor and materials Unfortunately, the check I received and deposited was rejected for insufficient funds It took days before it worked it's way through the banking system and I had access to the funds While this seemed to be an honest mistake, it created a great inconvenience and necessitated my borrowing to close the gap During this period of waiting for payment, we stayed on and kept working in good faith as all seemed amicable and the contractor was onsite every day to confer with and oversee the project's progress Either both my employee and myself or my employee alone was on site and had logged a combination of hours that totaled approximately since the last invoice(hrs.X $34.00/hr= $5440.00)This is stated as an approximate because when later asked, I gave the contractor all of my invoices and my time log This was information to which he was entitled to under our stated agreementas well as the fact that everything had been out in the open and above board from the beginning Unfortunately, this leaves no way for me to now reference this informationOn several occasions starting around December 1st I was informed that there was no layout for either the kitchen or laundry and that the contractor would wire both after we were goneWith this in mind I was asked for an estimate of what it might cost to finish the line voltage portion of the project I told the customer that I assumed it could be done for around $ This conversation was after the unbilled hours.Our work continued with a short interruption during one of this winter's deep freezes to service some folks in need of immediate attention When we returned, both the kitchen and laundry had been wired by some of contractor's employees Looking around I informed the contractor that much of the work was in direct violation of the National Electrical Code in either the material used or in the manner in which it was connected I did this to prevent the additional cost to the homeowner and the embarrassment to the contractor brought on while trying to remedy this mistake This could have involved the removal of finished drywall and any other finished surfaces to gain access for rewiring and then the replacement of those same materials There was no reason to keep this observation from thecontractor because my relationship with him was good and "we were all on the same team" The contractor replaced the wire that was used in violation and replaced it with the correct wire as he was informed.We then rerouted or reran the circuits that that were erroneously connected adding to the time involved to finish I was then informed that there would be an electric cook top, and an electricwall oven each requiring a amp volt circuit In addition, I was told of the decision to use an electric dryer requiring a amp volt circuit.The appliances were located at the opposite end of the house from the breaker panel requiring both the cable and the labor to reach them I did all of these things including the remedy of the kitchenmistakes because the agreed upon arrangement was on a time and materials basis While this was going on we also routed the low voltage wire (TV, phone and data) When I asked the contractor if he would like us to do some of the more involved finish wiring including some way and way circuits and the GFIC protection required in the baths, he replied to the effect of " you might as well, my guys will have to figure it out later and you're here now and understand it".That was pretty much the conclusion of the work we did and we loaded up and moved on to the next jobIt took about weeks for all of my invoices to come in and once I compiled everythingI took an invoice to him at the job site This was # [redacted] dated 2/22/in the amount of $14, This reflects the unbilled hours at $5440, the $to finish the stated work, the low voltageplus the cost of the additional work and the material involvedThe additional work would have included running the extra volt circuits that weren't involved because there wasn't a kitchen layout and the contractor would do them after we were gone, the cost of the mistakes in the kitchen, and the finish wiring .When I arrived at the site the homeowners were there so I discreetly handed the invoice to the contractor After he glanced at it he said that it was more than he planned I replied that I assumed as muchand to call me and we could discuss it He did call me the next day and said the homeowner was not happy and as their representative he would need to see my invoices and time log.I said I understood and I would get them to him as soon as possible When I called him days later on Friday the 28thhe told me times not to make the mile trip that he could get them later.I replied that I wanted to get them into his hands so that he could have the weekend to look them over When I took them to him, as I was showing him the documents, all conversation wasin a calm and civil tone and I assumed that he would in fact review them over the weekend Then, like a switch was thrown and with his employee as a witness, the contractor flew into a screaming rage saying " You are a liar, a cheat, and a thief" and then told me " If I had something sharp, I would stab you in the eye right now" I had witnessed these rages on site before and realized once one started it was best not to say anything because all reason had ceased to exist and my speaking only took it farther down the rabbit hole While I was not happy about hearing these things,I just left without responding at all When I got home, the letter from the Revdex.com was in my mailboxWhat bothers me the most about this is I was never once asked if I would be willing to make any kind of price concessions or the simple request to talk about doing the same I had already told him that I assumed that he would need to talk to me about the cost Instead I was slandered and threatened in front of his employeeI had already planned, if asked, to offer days of labor for men ($ 2176.00) and regardless of the manner in which this whole thing was handled, I am still willing to do so.My only wish is that the contractor had asked me face to face before involving you and then exploding at me before entering into any meaningful dialogue [redacted] ***

I was approached by the customer, a general contractor, to rough wire a new home that he was building.  He asked for my terms and I replied that it would be on a time and materials basis at...

$34.00 a man hour for my employee and the same for myself plus a 20% markup on any materials.  After putting in  the permanent 200 amp meter/disconnect, a generator transfer switch , a 40 space main panel, and a bit of the house branch wiring,  I billed him $12,161.65.  This was invoice #[redacted] dated 12/14/13 and included a breakdown between labor and materials.  Unfortunately, the check I received  and deposited was rejected for insufficient funds.  It took 14 days before it worked it's way through the banking system and I had access to the funds.  While this seemed to be an honest mistake, it created a great inconvenience and necessitated my borrowing to close the gap.  During this period of waiting for payment, we stayed on and kept working in good faith as all seemed amicable and the contractor was onsite every day to confer with and oversee the project's progress.  Either both my employee and myself or my employee alone was on site and had logged a combination of hours that totaled approximately 160 since the last invoice. (160 hrs.X $34.00/hr. = $5440.00)This is stated as an approximate because when  later asked, I gave the contractor all of my invoices and my time log.  This was information to which he was entitled to under our stated agreementas well as the fact that everything had been out in the open and above board from the beginning.  Unfortunately, this leaves no way for me to now reference this information. On several occasions starting around December 1st  I was informed that there was no layout for either the kitchen or laundry and that the contractor would wire both after we were gone. With this in mind I was asked for an estimate of what it might cost to finish the line voltage portion of the project.  I told the customer that I assumed it could be done for around $3000.  This conversation was after the unbilled 160 hours.Our work continued with a short interruption during one of this winter's deep freezes to service some folks in need of immediate attention.  When we returned, both the kitchen and laundry had been wired by some of contractor's employees.  Looking around I informed the contractor that much of the work was in direct violation of the National Electrical Code in either the material used or in the manner in which it was connected.  I did this to prevent the additional cost  to the homeowner and the embarrassment to the contractor brought on while trying to remedy  this mistake.  This could have involved the removal of finished drywall and any other finished surfaces to gain access for rewiring and then the replacement of those same materials.  There was no reason to keep this observation from thecontractor because my relationship with him was good and "we were all on the same team".  The contractor replaced the wire that was used in violation and replaced it with the correct wire as he was informed.We then rerouted or reran the circuits that that were erroneously connected adding to the time involved to finish.  I was then informed that there would be an electric cook top, and an electricwall oven each requiring a 40 amp 240 volt circuit.  In addition, I was told of the decision to use an electric dryer requiring a 30 amp 240 volt circuit.The 3 appliances were located at the opposite end of the house from the breaker panel requiring both the cable and the labor to reach them.  I did all of these things  including the remedy of the kitchenmistakes because the agreed upon arrangement  was on a time and materials basis.  While this was going on we also routed the low voltage wire (TV, phone and data).    When I asked the contractor if he would like us to do some of the more involved finish wiring including some 3 way and 4 way circuits and the GFIC protection required in the baths, he replied to the effect of " you might as well, my guys will have to figure it out  later and you're here now and understand it".That was pretty much the conclusion of the work we did and we loaded up and moved on to the next job. It took about 3 weeks for all of my invoices to come in and once I compiled everythingI took an invoice to him at the job site.  This was #[redacted] dated 2/22/14 in the amount of $14,610.54.  This reflects the 160 unbilled hours at $5440, the $3000 to finish the stated work, the low voltageplus the cost of the additional work and the material involved. The additional work would have included running the 3 extra 240 volt  circuits that weren't involved because there wasn't a kitchen layout and the contractor would do them after we were gone, the cost of the mistakes in the kitchen, and the finish wiring .When I arrived at the site the homeowners were there so I discreetly handed the invoice to the contractor.  After he glanced at it he said that it was more than he planned.  I replied that I assumed as muchand to call me and we could discuss it.  He did call me the next day and said the homeowner was not happy and as their representative he would need to see my invoices and time log.I said I understood and I would get them to him as soon as possible.  When I called him 2 days later on Friday the 28th. he told me 3 times not to make the 20 mile trip that he could get them later.I replied that I wanted to get them into his hands so that he could have the weekend to look them over.  When I took them to him,  as I was showing him the documents, all conversation wasin a calm and civil tone and I assumed that he would in fact review them over the weekend.  Then, like a switch was thrown and with his employee as a witness, the contractor flew into a screaming rage saying  " You are a liar, a cheat, and a thief" and then told me " If I had something sharp, I would stab you in the eye right now".   I had witnessed these rages on site before and realized once one started it was best not to say anything because all reason had ceased to exist and my speaking only took it farther down the rabbit hole.  While I was not happy about hearing these things,I just left without responding at all.  When I got home, the letter from the Revdex.com was in my mailbox. What bothers me the most about this is I was never once asked if I would be willing to make any kind of price concessions or the simple request to talk about doing the same.   I had already told him that I assumed that he would need to talk to me about the cost.  Instead I was slandered and threatened in front of his employee. I had already planned,  if asked,  to offer 4 days of labor for 2 men ($ 2176.00) and regardless of the manner in which this whole thing was handled,  I am still willing to do so.My only wish is that the contractor had asked me face to face before involving you and then exploding at  me before entering into any meaningful dialogue .  [redacted]

Review: Halfway through job I asked for a estimate on remainder of job cost. I was told $3000.00 Bill I received was for over 11,000.00I was never once told that he was exceeding the estimate.Desired Settlement: I feel I should be reimbursed for at least 50% of the overcostapprox.(4000.00)

Business

Response:

I was approached by the customer, a general contractor, to rough wire a new home that he was building. He asked for my terms and I replied that it would be on a time and materials basis at $34.00

a man hour for my employee and the same for myself plus a 20% markup on any materials. After putting in the permanent 200 amp meter/disconnect, a generator transfer switch , a 40 space main panel,

and a bit of the house branch wiring, I billed him $12,161.65. This was invoice #[redacted] dated 12/14/13 and included a breakdown between labor and materials. Unfortunately, the check I received and

deposited was rejected for insufficient funds. It took 14 days before it worked it's way through the banking system and I had access to the funds. While this seemed to be an honest mistake, it created a great inconvenience and necessitated my borrowing to close the gap. During this period of waiting for payment, we stayed on and kept working in good faith as all seemed amicable and the contractor was

onsite every day to confer with and oversee the project's progress.

Either both my employee and myself or my employee alone was on site and had logged a combination of hours that totaled approximately 160 since the last invoice. (160 hrs.X $34.00/hr. = $5440.00)

This is stated as an approximate because when later asked, I gave the contractor all of my invoices and my time log. This was information to which he was entitled to under our stated agreement

as well as the fact that everything had been out in the open and above board from the beginning. Unfortunately, this leaves no way for me to now reference this information.

On several occasions starting around December 1st I was informed that there was no layout for either the kitchen or laundry and that the contractor would wire both after we were gone.

With this in mind I was asked for an estimate of what it might cost to finish the line voltage portion of the project. I told the customer that I assumed it could be done for around $3000. This conversation was

after the unbilled 160 hours.

Our work continued with a short interruption during one of this winter's deep freezes to service some folks in need of immediate attention. When we returned, both the kitchen and laundry had been wired

by some of contractor's employees. Looking around I informed the contractor that much of the work was in direct violation of the National Electrical Code in either the material used or in the manner

in which it was connected. I did this to prevent the additional cost to the homeowner and the embarrassment to the contractor brought on while trying to remedy this mistake. This could have involved

the removal of finished drywall and any other finished surfaces to gain access for rewiring and then the replacement of those same materials. There was no reason to keep this observation from the

contractor because my relationship with him was good and "we were all on the same team". The contractor replaced the wire that was used in violation and replaced it with the correct wire as he was informed.

We then rerouted or reran the circuits that that were erroneously connected adding to the time involved to finish. I was then informed that there would be an electric cook top, and an electric

wall oven each requiring a 40 amp 240 volt circuit. In addition, I was told of the decision to use an electric dryer requiring a 30 amp 240 volt circuit.

The 3 appliances were located at the opposite end of the house from the breaker panel requiring both the cable and the labor to reach them. I did all of these things including the remedy of the kitchen

mistakes because the agreed upon arrangement was on a time and materials basis. While this was going on we also routed the low voltage wire (TV, phone and data).

When I asked the contractor if he would like us to do some of the more involved finish wiring including some 3 way and 4 way circuits and the GFIC protection required in the baths, he replied

to the effect of " you might as well, my guys will have to figure it out later and you're here now and understand it".

That was pretty much the conclusion of the work we did and we loaded up and moved on to the next job. It took about 3 weeks for all of my invoices to come in and once I compiled everything

I took an invoice to him at the job site. This was #[redacted] dated 2/22/14 in the amount of $14,610.54. This reflects the 160 unbilled hours at $5440, the $3000 to finish the stated work, the low voltage

plus the cost of the additional work and the material involved. The additional work would have included running the 3 extra 240 volt circuits that weren't involved because there wasn't a kitchen layout and the

contractor would do them after we were gone, the cost of the mistakes in the kitchen, and the finish wiring .

When I arrived at the site the homeowners were there so I discreetly handed the invoice to the contractor. After he glanced at it he said that it was more than he planned. I replied that I assumed as much

and to call me and we could discuss it. He did call me the next day and said the homeowner was not happy and as their representative he would need to see my invoices and time log.

I said I understood and I would get them to him as soon as possible. When I called him 2 days later on Friday the 28th. he told me 3 times not to make the 20 mile trip that he could get them later.

I replied that I wanted to get them into his hands so that he could have the weekend to look them over. When I took them to him, as I was showing him the documents, all conversation was

in a calm and civil tone and I assumed that he would in fact review them over the weekend. Then, like a switch was thrown and with his employee as a witness, the contractor flew into a

screaming rage saying " You are a liar, a cheat, and a thief" and then told me " If I had something sharp, I would stab you in the eye right now". I had witnessed these rages on site before and realized

once one started it was best not to say anything because all reason had ceased to exist and my speaking only took it farther down the rabbit hole. While I was not happy about hearing these things,

I just left without responding at all. When I got home, the letter from the Revdex.com was in my mailbox.

What bothers me the most about this is I was never once asked if I would be willing to make any kind of price concessions or the simple request to talk about doing the same.

I had already told him that I assumed that he would need to talk to me about the cost. Instead I was slandered and threatened in front of his employee.

I had already planned, if asked, to offer 4 days of labor for 2 men ($ 2176.00) and regardless of the manner in which this whole thing was handled, I am still willing to do so.

My only wish is that the contractor had asked me face to face before involving you and then exploding at me before entering into any meaningful dialogue .