SUNSET ELECTRIC INC

Description of Work: Appreciate your inquiry. I have been employed by Sunset Electric in the past and thus don't feel my commenting is appropriate. Thanks, K.

Description of Work: I initiated contact with Mike and Deb at Sunset Electric Inc. in Crested Butte, Colorado in October, 2009. I explained to Mike that I wanted to install a Generac standby generator at my cabin at Arrowhead Ranch, Cimarron, Colorado. I then explained that I also needed a hookup in the garage to be able to utilize my portable gasoline generator in the event of a failure of the new standby generator and Utility Power. I advised Mike that I would not contract with anyone that could not complete both of my requirements. My primary residence in New Mexico is a 7.5- 8 hour drive from the Colorado Cabin and not a quick jaunt that I can make on short notice. I explained this to Mike and told him that I had horses in NM that I had to arrange care for during my absence. Mike was very cordial and told me that he understood my situation and assured me that he could and would complete both portions of the work. Mike made it a big issue that his Company was a “Family Business” and he would be able to make things as easy as possible for me and my infrequent travel to the Cabin. Mike, Deb, and I then began a dialogue (via Telephone & email) to select the Model Generator that I needed to run my cabin. On 10/24/09, Mike emailed me an estimate for #5744 (20kw) priced at $6386. With installation from $1,500. - $2,500.. I looked on the internet and found the same Model with a 200 amp Automatic Transfer Switch and free shipping for $4,499. . I called Mike and advised him that if he could not find a comparable price through his suppliers, that I would just purchase the unit online and have it shipped directly to his company address. Mike stated “Well, I need to make some money on the Generator”. I then told Mike “You can make your profit on installation and parts.” I told him “You need to find a comparable price to the internet and if you can find it cheaper, you can pocket the difference.” Mike kind of mumbled or grumbled and seemed to agree, so we continued with the process. I asked Mike if the #5744 was the latest model available and he stated that he was still looking around for the best deal. I advised that I wanted the latest model available with the Aluminum Cabinet.. On 5/11/10, Mike emailed an estimate for a 25kw for $12,097. . He advised that this unit would last longer because of the Liquid Cooling and lower running RPM’s. I called and declined due to price and higher propane consumption. On 5/19/10, Mike emailed me a new estimate for a #5744 for $7,016. an increase of $600. from the previous estimate. On 5/20/10, I advised Mike that I had decided on the 20kw and sent a check for $5,000. (The amount he required up front) through Wells Fargo Online Banking. The snow had finally melted on the roads to the cabin and I asked Mike to check his schedule and give me dates and duration to complete both jobs so that I could schedule care for my animals during my travel to Colorado. Mike said that he needed two weeks “To be safe”, near the end of June or early July, 2010. I made arrangements to be at the Cabin for three weeks from June 14, through July 5, 2010 to insure that Mike had ample time to complete all tasks. Mike agreed and advised me that he would “schedule the time”. On 6/14/10, I traveled eight hours to the cabin, arriving late afternoon. I called and advised that I was there and ready to go. On 6/15/10, Mike and Deb arrived at the Cabin to meet me. No work done. On 6/16/10, I completed the gravel pad for the generator and contacted Amerigas and scheduled the propane install to the pad. On 6/18 or 19/2010, Mike showed up at the cabin with an electrician. Mike had the worker start wiring the ATS and Utility box. On 6/21/10, Mike finally showed up with the new generator in the late afternoon. He said that he would be back the following day to start the install. On 6/22/10, I received no call and he did not show as he had stated. On 6/23/10, Mike finally showed with his electrician at approximately 2PM they worked until 4PM. Mike then advised me that he needed a check for $500. Due to his absence and tardiness until that point, I was hesitant, but wanted to avoid conflict and I gave him the check and the benefit of doubt. Before leaving for the day, Mike said “I’ll be back tomorrow”. On 6/24/10, I waited all day and no one showed up or called. I finally called Mike in the afternoon and explained that I had scheduled three weeks instead of the two that he had asked for, because I needed all the work completed prior to my departure on 7/6/10, not excuses. Mike was aggravated and argued with my insistence telling me that I was not his only customer and not to worry that he would complete everything. He assured me that he would schedule the completion and call me later that evening. He did NOT call back. On 6/25/10, while I waited at the Cabin all day again, He DID NOT SHOW UP OR CALL. On 6/28/10 Amerigas showed up in the AM, on time on schedule and hooked up the propane line to the generator pad. Mike showed up in the mid morning with his electrician. Mike told the Amerigas representative that the generator had to be installed at least 24” away from the house wall. I advised Mike to please keep the generator as close to the house as was permitted to take advantage of the roof overhang for protection from the heavy winter snows and other elements. Mike advised that he had to install it per Generac criteria (At least 24”). After the propane installation was complete, Mike did at least insure the generator would start and then left for the day. Later that evening, I measured the distance from the wall to the rear of the generator cabinet, and found it to be 29”. After studying the installation guide book for the generator, I learned that Mike again had lied or just did not know that the installation required only 18” between the wall and the rear of the cabinet. Mike had hard wired and plumbed the generator, almost one foot out from under the roof overhang unnecessarily, further exposing the unit to frequent drifting snow. I called his office and left messages and remained around the cabin everyday in hopes that he would show up and complete his contract. I did not mention the placement of the cabinet. On 7/3/10, Mike arrived at the Cabin and presented me with the final invoice titled “Electrical Final Bill”, “Terms for Completion of Electrical” “Wiring as per estimate + Wireless Remote” Total: $1881.20. Knowing that I had to return to NM in three days, I did not want to withhold the final check and start a battle that could easily end up in litigation one State away from where I live. I wrote him a check for the full amount in hopes that his anger and aggravation would subside and he would start to act responsibly and as a “Family Oriented Business” that he claimed to be. On 7/6/10 I returned to New Mexico with no further contact from Solar Bear and no portion of our contract completed. On 7/19/10 I called SB and left a message verifying the Model # for the plug receptacle in the garage for my portable generator. I made several attempts to reach SB, leaving messages with no reply. Sometime in the second week of August, 2010, Mike finally returned a call and advised me that he was planning to complete the contract sometime between 9/10-9/13/10. I decided that I needed to return to the cabin to verify completion of the contract. On 8/20/10 I called SB and left a message that I would be at the cabin from 9/9-14/10 for him to be able to complete the work. On 9/9/10 with no word from Mike, I traveled to the Cabin arriving mid afternoon. I called SB and left a message stating that I had arrived and was available. No callback. On 9/10/10 at 8AM I called SB and talked to Deb. She said she would have Mike call me. I waited until noon and Mike did not call. At 12:15 pm I called SB and Mike answered and stated that he would complete the work on 9/17/10 instead of 9/13/10. He knew that I was returning to NM on 9/14/10 and would not be there. Upon our first meeting, at the Cabin in June 2010, I had showed Mike where I left the spare keys for the house and garage to allow him access to facilitate a timely installation.. Before leaving back to NM on the 9/10 trip, I was sure that I could not trust Mike with the smallest of details let alone giving him unsupervised access to my home and belongings. Ultimately I left only the key to the garage & generator, and told him to just make sure the wireless remote was functioning and leave it in the garage when he finished the wiring job there. Mike became aggravated and stated “I don’t know what you are worried about.” “Looks like there is nothing but a bunch of Junk in there anyway”. Interacting with Mike was akin to dealing with a six year old spoiled child, certainly not the “Professional.” ”Family Businessman” that he purported to be. On 9/13/10at 8:00am I called SB and left a message asking Mike about the Romex that his electrician had run through the crawlspace and left unconnected hanging in front of the entrance. I received no callback. On 9/14/10 I returned to New Mexico and did not try to contact Solar Bear in hopes that he would cool down, come to his senses, and complete the work. On 9/21/10 at 10:35am I called SB and left a message stating “You have been ignoring my calls”. “You said you would finish last Friday”. “What’s happening?” “I haven’t heard anything”. I received no callback . On 9/22/10 at 3:37pm I called SB and left a message advising that I needed to know if the work had been completed. “You can call me collect if you cannot afford the call.” “Are you going to finish? You have been paid”. I was definitely feeling the pressure of the time constraints due to the impending road closures with heavy snowfalls and obviously Mike was not! I received no reply.