BLUE RIBBON ELECTRICAL SVC LLC

The electrician was at the home less than an hour. The work actually took less than half an hour. He chatted the rest of the time and charged a full hour. My doctor doesn't charge that much per hour.

The provider did not install the four tandem(piggyback) circuit breakers as had been requested. Instead, as mentioned in the earlier section, the provider took the pair of wires running to each of the four single circuit breakers and twisted them together adding a third wire which he then attached to the existing single circuit breaker instead of replacing the existing circuit breakers as had been requested and for which he charged $875. Then the provider has the gall to indicate on the receipt that he installed four tandem(piggyback) circuit breakers in the electrical panel. When the provider was confronted about not installing the requested tandem circuit breakers, he initially said he would come out and make it right. However, he subsequently called and said he would not return and that what he did was up to code. The point here is he was asked to do something which he clearly did not do and gave no indication he wouldn't be able to do it and when confronted about it, said he'd make it right and then refused to do so. It is strongly recommended that you not use this provider.

We liked the tech, but the price was utterly outrageous, and we weren't told the price until we'd already been dealing with them for a day, were in a hurry to get the mast back up while Consumer's Energy was still in the neighborhood on the weekend after the storm, and were unlikely to call someone else. To begin with, many electricians in town were giving busy signals and so forth because of the storm and because it was a weekend. We got hold of Blue Ribbon right away, which was nice in its own way. We were told up front that there would be some high weekend extra charge--something in the range of $250. We gulped and accepted that to get out AC up and running while Consumer's was around. (Consumer's wouldn't reconnect our service unless we privately found an electrician to put the mast back up.) The tech came out the first time on a Saturday and told us he'd need to bring a generator in order to drill the necessary holds in the masonry on the house to put the mast back up. What I should have done was to ask him the price then and there. Instead I said okay, I'd see him the next day. Sunday afternoon he came back with the necessary equipment, met me at the hotel where we were riding out the storm/no electricity, and told me it would be about $3000 to put it back. The price was "in the book," but it still seemed wildly excessive, and this idea that it was excessive has been confirmed by other contractors and by the Consumer's Energy guys themselves when they were there that evening reconnecting our service. The only thing I can guess is that perhaps we were charged as if they had to put in a *new* mast, when in fact he just reconnected the old mast. Of course they tell you, "You can bill your homeowner's insurance," but we deliberately have a high deductible to keep our premiums low. Despite the fact that the price was "in the book," this seemed like price gouging. I just got them out of the phone book when I was in desperation trying to find an electrician after the storm, so next time I'll definitely be going with someone else.

Called this company per recommendation of retail store. The quotes-as the electrician said "were straight out of the company's price book". For almost a total labor quote the price for 2-3 hours work to install a celing fan (box already there), add a light kit to another fan (light kit already provided by me) and install a wall switch for the fan/light (electrical box an wiring already there), was $749 dollars. In what world do electricians make this kind of hourly rate???

Local companies were contacted but apparently tje job was too small as no one called back to set up appointment. Blue Ribbon called back within 15 minutes with times available and tech was on job same day. Very professional, courteous, and was careful not to leave any mess behind. When someone says they are missing something and needs help that tells me he has the customer in mind Tech was determined to find problem and when it looked as though he was unable to, was going to call in help. Did not want to leave until problem was corrected. Would use company again. Was price within reason? May have been a little high but was told up front what cost would be. It was worth it.`

Charged me $50 for one breaker. The same breaker sells for $5 at any store. $500 for total job. Way too much. Will not use again.

Very unethical company to deal with

They did a great job. Part of their service is to do a 12 point electrical safety inspection. This is a nice service because they check for things I do not regularly look at - I.e. are all connections tight. Then based on what was found, he wrote up a few different quotes. One for what I called them for, one to also include things that really should be fixed and then a thrid quote that added some nice to have fixes. This was nice because it gave me the option to pick and choose services. I actually went with a fourth quote which was my original request, a nice to have and a more serious fix. I do find the prices a bit high but they quote by the job, not the hour. I find they do a better job if not constrained by time. They also completely stand by their work.

The tech was prompt, professional, punctual and sensitive to my family's schedule and needs during the entire 3 day job. He did an excellent job.