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Peter Mc Carthy Electric

4.9(
108
)

Electrical, Lighting, Ceiling Fans,

... +1 more

About us

Thank you for your overwhelming response! As a result, we are unable to take new clients until 1/1/2016 We are an electrical contractor specializing in retrofitting older wiring. We have rewired many older homes from the 1870s- 1960s, and I am expert in redesigning electrical systems to meet modern power requirements and Chicago electrical code. My blog on my website chronicles various jobs we have done and issues I have encountered. I am a 4th generation electrician in Chicago and take great pride in my work.

Business highlights

28 years of trusted experience

Services we offer

Electrical repairs.

Services we don't offer

Handymen service

Amenities

Warranties
Yes
Senior Discount

10%

Accepted payment methods

Check

Reviews

4.9108 Reviews
Write a review
Number of StarsImage of DistributionNumber of Ratings
5
93%
4
4%
3
3%
2
0%
1
1%
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
4.9
value
4.8
professionalism
4.9
responsiveness
4.9
punctuality
4.9
Write a review
Showing 101-108 of 108 reviews
LaTosha A N.
10/2015
5.0
electrician
  + -1 more
unknown
Description of Work: Estimate for work. Peter was honest and took the time to come assess our situation quickly even though he was done for the day.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$175
Frances S.
06/2014
3.0
electrician
  + -1 more
unknown
Description of Work: His ad spoke of jobs he had done in the "Hyde Park"area. I called about an electric meter box cable burnout that needed replacing. Very nice at the beginning, he texted me what he thought needed to be done. When I gave him my address (1-1/2 mi. so. of Hyde Park) to have him come out for estimate, he stopped responding. Then, he texted me that he did not have time for my job, that he and all his crew was busy on a big out of town project. |
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
professionalism
3.0
responsiveness
2.0
Response from Peter Mc Carthy Electric
I do apologize to the client. I do my best to keep up with all the inquiries and calls, but still at times I disappoint people. I am not perfect and while I strive to improve, consistent client contact and very organized scheduling has always been the hardest challenge for me. Again, I apologize as sincerely as I can and did not mean any disrespect to the client. I have searched my telephone records and unfortunately I can not find this client's name recorded, so I can only go by memory. Again, I do fully apologize for that. If I am recalling correctly, this call came to my cell phone while I was on vacation in Cleveland. I remember seeing the local number exchange and wanting to pick it up, since it might be a power outage or emergency. I was supposed to be on a family vacation, but when you have your own business you are never fully on vacation. If I am recalling this correctly, I answered the phone and had an initial conversation with the client as I was trying to negotiate directions on expressway ramps and detours in Cleveland that were under construction, and I thought for sure I told him that I was out of town and could not give this job any attention until I returned back. Again, I have a less than perfect memory, but I do believe I made that clear. I was very familiar with the area his building is located in. I consider it Park manor but one might call it West Woodlawn as well. One of my oldest and favorite clients lived very close to there, on the 6800 block of South Langley. She worked at the UC library, and found my name from one of the 3x5 index card advertisements I had posted on the bulletin board at the old Hyde Park Co-op. This was in December of 1986, and the outlet she plugged her Christmas tree into was sparking. It was in the living room of her 1920s two-flat, and that outlet backs up to the exterior brick wall facing the street. When 1920s cloth-covered wire outlets are in walls that join the exterior front brick to the interior plaster, moisture seepage and condensation over the decades is common. They often corrode and eventually sparking results. I was so glad she contacted me; it was a real fire hazard. Martha was a wonderful lady with many fascinating stories, and I was her electrician for many years after that. I always enjoyed working for her. Eventually she passed. In any event, I did enjoy speaking with the client and had the best intentions to follow up when we arrived back in Chicago. It was on that score that I failed. I recall the conversation and the client, but I did not have the presence of mind at that time to permanently record his name and address in my phone, or save the number. The client is correct, we used texts to correspond after his initial call, and I just blew it because I did not permanently record all his contact info at that time. It was one of those situations where I just completely blew it. It is shameful, and I am so very sorry. I had the number in the text roster while we were out of town, but I became distracted and lost track of the job. When I got back to Chicago, the enormity of the demanding schedule hit me straight in the face, and I was probably overwhelmed. In any event, I just blew it with this client, and again, I apologize most deeply. My lack of through follow up was accidental, not intentional. None-the-less, it was unprofessional and I do apologize sincerely. I do my best, but the number of calls and inquiries can be overwhelming at times. That is a poor excuse, and I realize it. The scheduling does vary drastically, and often we can go from "dead" to "completely booked" in a matter of days. At times clients respond to bids they have been considering for weeks or longer, some seem out of the blue. But once they make the decision they are most instant that we start asap. In this case, the big job the client refers to was a large service upgrade on a courtyard building in central Hyde Park. This job had been under contract for months, and the clients were anxious for us to begin. I had given them my word that we would start as soon as the permit was came back approved from the City of Chicago Dept of Electrical Inspection Plan Review Department. The permit was approved shortly after I got back from Ohio, and the pressures of this large job took hold immediately. After a week or two, I truly don’t recall exactly, I was scrolling through all the old texts and found this exchange again. By that time the big job had taken me over, and the damage was already done as far as this client’s job was concerned. Again, this is an explanation, not an excuse. There is no excuse for losing track of even one inquiry, and I apologize. I am just presenting this explanation because some contractors might say "I just started a big job and I can’t get there" as a simple excuse to avoid a certain job. I realize it probably sounded like that to this client, and again I apologize most humbly and profusely. I would like to add one final thought. There seemed to be a sense that I decided not to work on this job because of the address, or perhaps the neighborhood. The implication was that after I heard the address I no longer followed up. I definitely dropped the ball on following up as I explained above. But I take offense to the suggestion that I would be using the fact that the building is in the Park Manor neighborhood as a reason to exclude it. I take exception to that implication. The review a few before this one was from a client on the 500 block of East 89th Place. The small dollar amount of the job would not justify it for many contractors, if measured in simple economic terms. But I felt this client really needed a good electrician. Two weeks ago I updated the grounding system at a two flat on the 1500 block of East 66th Place. I have been working with another client whose family home on the 6800 block of S. Dante needs major rewiring. I also did a service call for an Angie's list member on the 7300 Block of South Shore Drive recently. On my website there are pictures of exterior front coach type lighting we installed a couple years ago in the West Woodlawn area. I would have to research the job, but it was west of Cottage Grove and I believe south of 67th St. For sure it was south of 63rd St. I do not and never have discriminated against potential clients based upon the area.
Daniel B.
09/2011
5.0
electrician
  + -1 more
NA
Description of Work: I am very satisfied with my experience with Mccarthy Electronic. Prior to purchasing a condo in Hyde Park, a home inspector I hired had strongly recommended that I upgrade the electric system from 60 to 100 amp service (and was happy to refer me to contractors he knew that could complete the work). I’ve been in the unit for a few years now with no problems, but contacted Mr. McCarthy for an estimate on the job as I prepare for some other renovations. Mr. McCarthy responded promptly, and took time out of his Saturday to provide a very helpful and detailed explanation as to why the suggested upgrade would be unnecessary for my unit. He had worked in my building on a number of previous occasions and was familiar with the electric system layout and how it functioned. I thought Mr. McCarthy acted with integrity by not performing unnecessary work, and he was also extremely pleasant and professional. I may have some separate electrical work to perform in the future, and I would trust this firm to do the work.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Response from Peter Mc Carthy Electric
Thank you for taking the time to put this review in for us. I really do appreciate it! I enjoyed speaking with you and discussing your electrical situation and requirements. I hope I was helpful, while I don't have anything like "all the answers," I do try to share the knowledge I have built up over the years when it is useful to others. I can't imagine selling someone a service upgrade when it is not needed. It would waste the customer's money and my time, aside for being dishonest. As far as I'm concerned, there is never a call for those practices in any field. I wish you luck with your other projects, and thanks again for the review. I'm always happy to answer any questions for you if I can. Enjoy the Fall! Peter
Jeff B.
04/2011
5.0
electrician
  + -1 more
good
Description of Work: I asked them to trouble shoot a ground fault problem in my 80-year-old apartment building. It was located and repaired quickly.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$150
Response from Peter Mc Carthy Electric
Hello! Thank you so much for your kind words, and especially for taking the time to put in a report. I am glad we were able to be of service. I know everyone is so terribly busy these days. Your time is valuable. I really appreciate it! Have a great Spring! Peter
DAVID Y.
08/2010
5.0
electrician
  + -1 more
They did a good good job.
Description of Work: Electrical repairs.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
Katheryn E.
02/2009
5.0
electrician
  + -1 more
Excellent!
Description of Work: Peter came to find a short in our electrical system that caused a blow out in our home. He found it pretty quickly, kept my husband from electrocuting himself and fixed the problem. Although he didn't have time to install another light fixture to replace the one that was previously there, we hadn't contracted for that time, so it was not expected. He was extremely friendly and professional, and my husband said he would definitely use him again. We plan to contract with him to replace the entire electrical system in our home once our finances allow it.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
4.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$125
Brian R.
12/2008
3.0
electrician
  + -1 more
unknown
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
3.0
professionalism
3.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
3.0
MICHAEL A.
09/2003
5.0
electrician
  + -1 more
unknown
Description of Work: PETER MCCARTHY INSTALLED A 40 AMP FEEDER/SUBPANEL FOR A RECONFIGURED UTILITY ROOM. THE JOB ENTAILED INSTALLING NEW CONDUIT AND PULLING UP WIRES FROM THE BASEMENT TO A THIRD-FLOOR FLAT, AND THEN WIRING NEW CIRCUITS FOR THE ROOM. THE WORK WAS OUTSTANDING: NEAT, ELEGANT, AND EXECUTED TO THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARDS. I AM PICKY, AND MY POKING ABOUT REVEALED A JOB DONE FAR BETTER THAN I HOPED FOR. PETER WILL CALL YOU BACK. HE WILL WORK THROUGH YOUR NEEDS. HE WILL SHOW UP AS AGREED IN A REASONABLE TIME, AND DO THE PROMISED JOB EFFICIENTLY AND WELL. HE IS PERSONABLE AND DECENT, AND HE INTERACTS WELL WITH HIS ASSISTANTS WHO OBVIOUSLY THINK THAT HE IS A GREAT AS I DO.
Rating CategoryRating out of 5
quality
5.0
value
5.0
professionalism
5.0
responsiveness
5.0
punctuality
5.0
Yes, I recommend this pro
$1,300

Contact information

5307 S Cornell Ave, Chicago, IL 60615

www.hydeparkelectric.com

Service hours

Sunday:
Closed
Monday:
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday:
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday:
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday:
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Licensing

Bonded
Insured
Eco-friendly Accreditations

LEED Accredited Professional
No
Energy Star Partner
No
EPA Lead-Safe Certified
No
Use Green Products or Work Practices
Yes
State Contractor License Requirements

All statements concerning insurance, licenses, and bonds are informational only, and are self-reported. Since insurance, licenses and bonds can expire and can be cancelled, homeowners should always check such information for themselves. To find more licensing information for your state, visit our State Contractor License Requirements page.

*Contact business to see additional licenses.

Service Categories

Electrical,
Lighting,
Ceiling Fans,
Garage Doors

FAQ

Peter Mc Carthy Electric is currently rated 4.9 overall out of 5.

Sunday: Closed

Monday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Peter Mc Carthy Electric accepts the following forms of payment: Check
No, Peter Mc Carthy Electric does not offer free project estimates.
Yes, Peter Mc Carthy Electric offers eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Peter Mc Carthy Electric does not offer a senior discount.
No, Peter Mc Carthy Electric does not offer emergency services.
Yes, Peter Mc Carthy Electric offers warranties.
Peter Mc Carthy Electric offers the following services: Electrical repairs.
Handymen service

Contact information

5307 S Cornell Ave, Chicago, IL 60615

www.hydeparkelectric.com

Service hours

Sunday:
Closed
Monday:
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday:
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday:
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday:
8:30 AM - 1:00 PM