Are there any decent electricians in Perth?

[Imp]

I am having no end of trouble trying to get an electrician to run a new circuit in my house. I've called 4 to date - one turned up, told me he hadn't allowed enough time, made another appointment 10 days later and then didn't turn up.

The second missed his initial appointment, I rang him, he rescheduled for the next day - missed the appointment - I rang him, same deal. I didn't ring him when he didn't turn up the third time.

The third didn't bother turning up, I didn't bother ringing him.

The fourth turned up HOORAY then told me he hadn't allowed enough time (I appreciate it's a big job and had given details over the phone to all of these people btw) so he installed 2 power points which I also needed, charged me $500 for these (!) and re-scheduled the remainder of the job for next week. Additionally he installed one of the power points in the wrong position despite my request so I need to move it.

Can anyone advise me what I am doing wrong here? And is it just me or is $500 a lot of money to install 2 power points? (the wires were poking out of the wall for one of them, the other was moving an existing point 1.5m. Materials were $100 so really I should say $400 in labour)

Finally, if someone can recommend a good, honest sparky I'd be ever so grateful.

[montiee]

Can anyone advise me what I am doing wrong here? And is it just me or is $500 a lot of money to install 2 power points? (the wires were poking out of the wall for one of them, the other was moving an existing point 1.5m. Materials were $100 so really I should say $400 in labour)

Times like this I'm glad I know who to wire up a house and it power outlets and can avoid your pain both in time and money. $400 in labour for two outlets sounds like you were taken for a ride. Did you agree to the charge upfront?

It pays to shop around and get a feel over the phone. Such a simple job would have been easy to describe and get some quotes for over the phone without a visit.

[Honorary Bloke]

he installed 2 power points which I also needed, charged me $500 for these (!) and re-scheduled the remainder of the job for next week. .

The last powerpoint I had installed cost me $25 (mate's rates, but still). $500 is exorbitant.

I am sure there are good sparkies in Perth, you just need a referral from a mate. The 'phone book is more chancy than the pokies. :)

[memphis]

http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=68120

[autogenous]

Materials were $100 so really I should say $400 in labour

How long was he there for? 10 minutes?

[macca2]

I had Slacker do a job for me and can recommend him and his work.

Macca

[autogenous]

How much of that component was GST?

[tricky4000]

Sounds like about 60% GST to me. For that kind of money you could have flown down a sparky from the east coast and sent him back home again!! hehehe When he comes back to do the other job, just ask him to break down the costs...take note of them all and post them on here. It will be interesting to know where the costs go in this job.
Dan.

[montiee]

Sounds like about 60% GST to me. For that kind of money you could have flown down a sparky from the east coast and sent him back home again!! hehehe When he comes back to do the other job, just ask him to break down the costs...take note of them all and post them on here. It will be interesting to know where the costs go in this job.
Dan.

I'd be reporting him to the licensing commission wrt the charges to be honest based on his itemisation.

[thesupervisor]

if you pm slacker (sacha )he is in perth
he is very cheap and honest i have refered him to 3 people and all have been happy
let me know if you cant find him

[Imp]

Thanks everyone for letting me vent and giving me such down to earth advice. I feel a bit better now some time has passed.

The invoice was itemised: Parts: $101 Labour (times given): $405

That was it.

I was at work, my MIL was there and she said he was there for that length of time but that's all she was able to verify. I had to pay by credit card over the phone so hadn't seen the job. I don't think I would have paid, he also chipped the kitchen bench top and the GPO in the wall is in the wrong place, not centred and too low so I can't install my rangehood.

My other 1/2 has put in a call to the head office (I don't like to name names, but it's one of the big companies - I used them even though I know they are more expensive because I wanted good service.) We're waiting for them to call us back but we've also asked them to send a different tech out for the remainder of the job.

If we don't get a satisfactory response from them, I'll be giving slacker a call. I only wish I'd asked on here for recommendations before I started!

[bsrlee]

I'd be hitting the local building licensing board or whatever the local equivalent is for electricians & getting whatever info they have on disputes. Put the list of damage & incorrect installations in writing - as you have already paid for the work & they seem to have accepted the payment, I ~think~ this would be 'warranty' and not new work - and send them a copy with a request to fix it. That should put you on a solid standing if you need to take the matter further.

[slacker]

Thanks for the recommendations guys.

[tricky4000]

When all else fails, there's always Consumer Affairs and believe me they help.
Dan.