I recently bought a single-story house without an attic, sitting on a slab. After tearing out a really ugly drop ceiling, I found a mess of wires hanging everywhere. I hired a professional electrician, explaining that I knew nothing about electrical work or code and wanted to install bead board or drywall. I clearly stated that the wiring needed to be fixed first. Sadly, before any work could start, the electrician sent his team while he dealt with a family emergency. When I got home, I found that the wires had just been tidied up and stapled directly onto my existing drywall ceiling. Fast forward a few months, and I'm told that this setup isn't up to code. Now, no one wants to quote me for putting up drywall or bead board until the wiring issue is sorted out. I've tried getting 25 quotes, but no takers. What options do I have? Do I have any recourse against the electrician? Should I demand he fix this? Or should I just hire someone else to sort out what I see as a botched job? Am I wrong for being unhappy with these electricians? I'm really at my wits' end here. Can anyone provide suggestions or guidance?
2 Answers
I feel for you! It must be so frustrating going through so many quotes with no results. I'd recommend documenting everything: photos of the current state, any communication with the electrician, and the quotes you received. If possible, try to get a licensed electrician to assess the current wiring and give you a game plan. This way, you'll have a clearer idea of how to proceed—whether it's going back to your electrician or moving on to someone else. Also, if you have proof that the work wasn’t up to code, you might have some leverage there!
It sounds like you've found yourself in a tough situation! First off, you definitely should address the wiring issue since having it stapled over your drywall isn't safe or code-compliant. You might want to reach out to your original electrician and explain the situation, mentioning the lack of code compliance. If he refuses to help, you could consider getting a written estimate from another electrician for fixing the mess. This documentation can help if you choose to pursue a claim of poor workmanship with the original electrician. As for installing the new drywall or bead board, you should hold off until the wiring is properly managed. I know this is frustrating, but prioritizing safety is key!
Totally agree with you! Safety first. Don't hesitate to escalate if the electrician doesn't respond. You deserve a solution!
Great advice! Documenting everything can make a huge difference. Good luck getting it sorted out!