I am having problems with an electrician (on the Gold Coast) who I feel is manipulative and taking advantage - advice from electricians would be appreciated.

The electrician was originally engaged to connect electricsto my new pool. The first visit was to install the bond, the second visit was to install cable from the powerboard.

During this time I was having a roofed patio area installed and the electrician popped in for ten minutes when the installers were here to discuss the location of the lights which were to be installed at a later date.

On 23 Dec electrician arrived with his child in tow annd said he was going to install the lights, I informed him I had not yet found any and I wanted to leave the lights I already had and asked could he just do what he was due to do that day - install the electrics for the pool as the equipment was arriving that day. He insisted on completing the lights and I saidok then I will go an have a look at a nearby lighting shop, however, after 15 minutes I returned as I could not find anythat were suitable. I said to him that I would just leave the light onthe bulkhead that was already there, he then informed me that he had already removed this (of his own accord).
He then proceeded to call a few light shops on the Gold Coast chasing lights, I asked him just to leave it and continue with the pool electrics which he was reluctant to do and said he would have to come back another day - I reminded him that was what he was there for, he said he did not want to do this when he first got here as it was raining (it was spitting slightly).

At this point he became very annoyed and said he had achieved nothing and therefore would not be able to charge me for removing /re installing the lights. and he said he would install a power point only for the pool and come back again for another visit to finish the pool electrics off another time. Whilst he was here he was also on the phone constantly.

He completeted the powerpoint and reinstalled the light he had removed and the next day I received an invoice by email for three and half hours labour ($90 per hour) plus charges for equipment and the description was to give advice about lighting options and determine where cables would go plus install powerpoint. I sent him an emai; back and said I thought the invoice was unfair as I had not asked him to remove/reinstall the lighting and reminded him he had said he would not charge me for that. He said that he had to do that as he had other customers he could have gone to (although at one point I did tell him to go and come back later when it was not raining to do the powerpoint). He said he was being generous as he was not charging me for the ten minute visit when the roof installers were here.
I am very frustrated and annoyed by this man, I feel that he has been unreasonable as he removed light fittings when there was nothing to replace them, I have no idea what jobs are left to do on the pool as he always seems to have to come back and he has never given me any idea before hand of how much things were going to cost me. I do not mind paying for the powerpoint etc but I do not see why I should have to pay for him to uninstall and reinstall the same lights, talk on the phone to other customers or whoever and look after his kid!

Am I being unreasonable in not expecting so many hours for labour or is he being cheeky? He has now sent me another email saying payment is due immediately (in bold).

Help please.
Regards
Deb

He's taking the mickey. Pay him for the installation of the power socket, the rest no way - and then fire him. Plenty of electricians without work. Get local free-rag and look in the back and make sure they are registered / licenced

Certainly wouldnt let the guy back if thats how you feel

1st bit agreed and as for taking a child to work ( shakes head in disbelief )

2nd bit i`d say get a recommendation from a friend and not the local rag

for checking licences see
http://www.deir.qld.gov.au/elis/
they need to hold a contractors licence to be doing the work mentioned in your post



regards steve

Thanks Guys. Steve, I would have liked you to do the work for me if you had not retired!! I need a good licensed sparky if you know one. This guy says he has a license though. Any suggestions on how I approach this with him as he does not want to negotiate with me and demands that I pay the whole lot. Also, is it illegal to take a kid to work?
Kind regards
Debs

We had an electrician turn up at our last place with child in tow. The kid was monster, knocked things over, filled with stuff, opened pots in the bathroom and tramped dirt through the place. His dad's excuse was "his mum didn't want him at home today".I complained to the real Estate people who couldn't see what the problem was! Apparently its quite acceptable here (esp in school holidays) to turn up with a kid in tow - regardless of whether the householder likes it or not. I'm just glad I was there to keep telling the kid to put things down, his dad just ignored him the whole time

The kid was even passing his dad electrical stuff lol!!! I am just worried now though what will happen when I refuse to pay the full amount

Just write or email -

dear dude, ive decided not to proceed with the works. I feel that your final bill is unfair and that you carried out work i asked you not to (the light removal). i have had an independent electrician provide me a quote for the work you did (the socket) and that this is rated at 1 hour.

i enclose a cheque for 1 hours labour + parts

Thank you

mrs dude

nothing can happen - he can badmouth you to his buddies, like you care, he cant come and threaten you because thats illegal and you can call his licencing body with the details of kids at work, and ripping you off. etc. just do it - he'll get over it.

Thanks Spalen
I will offer him two hours labour plus costs to be fair. Will let you know what he says lol.

PS can anyone reccomend a decent electrician on the GC?

Where are you? We have a nice sparky whose son is grown-up and works with him.

Why offer 2 hours? He did 1 hour's authorised work, so pay him for one hour.

ive pm`ed you ians number, he`s a local elec contractor

he legally has to give you his licence number if requested
remember you want to see a contractors licence number
check it against the previously posted licence check website you can trace someones licnce number with the registered company name or the electricians full name to, this way you`ll know that the company is insured ( qld licncing wont issue a licence to any compny not insured for a minimum 5M$ ) and it also illegal for someone with just an electricians licence to "take on contracts" it really depends on how far you want to take it

how much to pay ? thats up to you to agree with your contractor, make an offer tell him its final or he can take you to small claims
( wont happen its not worth it for less than about 1500 bucks )


kids helping someone work in an occupied domestic dwelling ? i would think probaly more bad judgement than illegal


hope this helps

regards steve

Thanks for the advice. Lesleys - Steve has sent me the details of an electrician. Thanks Steve. I checked the electrican out and it appearshe has a full contractors licence.