A-C ELECTRIC COMPANY

I called AC Electric to schedule an appointment for a main breaker panel replacement, an approximate $2000 job. I see them all over town doing big jobs for companies and since their website advertises that they do residential service as well I decided to try them first. I called several times for a week and while a live person did answer she was just the receptionist and could only transfer me to the project managers voice mail. I did leave a voice mail but after a week I had not heard back and hired another company to do the job.

Appointment scheduled at 0900 and van showed up at 0820. We weren't ready for him yet. Not much of a problem. Had the electrician wire ceiling fan, but not install blades or bulbs. Spent majority of time finding problem with outdoor lighting and came to the conclusion we had a couple choices to try and resolve the problem. Told the electrician we would think about the options and get back with the company at a later time. Electrician leaves us an invoice and says we will be billed at an hourly rate. Didn't say what the rate would be. Find out it's $85.00/hour. Billed for 3.5 hours. Arrived at 0820 and left at 1120. Called the company and asked about the difference of half hour. Was told it was travel time and it was our understanding that it would be removed from the bill and not to worry. We get the bill the next day or so. Not only did we get billed for the travel time, they tacked on a fuel charge of $20.00 on top of it. After 3 separate opportunities to tell us about the extra charges, no one said a thing. The company is located in the city and we live in the middle of the city. We shouldn't have to pay for travel time if your service is located within the city also. We can understand 20 miles away and we knew in advance of the charges for travel and gas. The company's response was, oh well, this is our business and this is how we run it. After numerous calls to higher ups in the company they finally relented on the travel time, but not the fuel charge. So.............The work done is very good, but up front costs, not good. The hidden additional charges leave a bad taste in our mouth. After speaking to 4 other electrical companies in town, two said they charge for fuel, but tell you up front and the other two companies don't charge you at all. None charge for travel time. These guys must make a good living working for the city and or county.....For residential work, I would look elsewhere!