[CFrance]

I don't get the travel time charge thing. We had Pikes come out and give us an estimate for installing electrical outlets on the outer wall of our lanai. They quoted a price similar to our other quotes, we accepted; they came back and did an excellent, fast job. If you get quotes, where does the travel time come in? The other companies may be factoring in travel time as well in their quotes.

My husband called warranty to find out who did the electrical in our house because he was impressed that all the outlets are installed straight and true. (Not the case in some other houses we built.) It was Pikes.

[graciegirl]

I would print this thread and take it in to Pikes and speak to the guy who writes the checks.

Everything in this world except the price of a new home in The Villages is negotiable.

For the most part.

[janmcn]

The last two tradesmen I hired, plumber and appliance repairman, came in, diagnosed the problem, wrote out an estimate including labor and materials, and asked me to initial accepting or declining. This way there are no surprises when the job is complete.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by janmcn

The last two tradesmen I hired, plumber and appliance repairman, came in, diagnosed the problem, wrote out an estimate including labor and materials, and asked me to initial accepting or declining. This way there are no surprises when the job is complete.

ditto. Jimbo, I always respect your advice, but I would be uncomfortable asking to pay by time and material--time especially.

[sdb0420]

I recently purchased some product at Pikes and felt the labor quote I received was clear. The cost to go out (trip charge) and install my fan was $85. My second fan was 55 and my light was 45. My understanding was not the charge by the hour but by the installation of the piece. (maybe its based on difficulty or time consumption??) Because I left with a written quote/invoice there was no surprise. Did you give Pikes the opportunity to explain the charge or rectify the situation? I am very happy with the final product, felt it was fair pricing and would return to Pikes. I will always support Villages retailers when possible.

[sdb0420]

i know my estimate was free. what do you have to lose?

[justjim]

Always get three bids if possible. However, as the plane was going "nose down " the guy in the next seat said----"so much for taking the low bid on maintenance"!

[movinsoon]

Originally Posted by brightspot01

I appreciate knowing this. We bought a treadmill that trips our breaker when turned on. Found out we need a 20 amp circuit. Pike's is coming out next week to give us an estimate. Think we need to cancel.

We had the same problem with our treadmill and had planned on doing the same thing but talked to my friend Golfingnut about the problem. He changed the breaker and we no longer have the problem. It had to do with a problem with the 15amp ARC breaker. I ordered the new one from Home Depot on line as they did not have the right ones in the store. Check with Golfingnut, I am sure he will be happy to give you the details.

[gomoho]

Time and material - whenever we have a contractor come in working on time my husband and I have an understanding - no talk, no touch, no eye contact - no wait that is what the Dog Whisperer says - we are no talk, no eye contact!

[cmfjr]

I recently had electrical work done, replacing 2 can lights w/ pendants and a dimmer, a new outside gci for a water fountain and replaced the duplex above the microwave wave with a quad (4 outlet). Got quotes from Pikes and Lenhart. They were close in price but not in scope of work. Wasn't sure who to call for the third quote. I was in the garage and looked at the breaker panel and noticed the sticker of the contractor who wired my CYV. Called R&A for a quote. Phil came out and we talked through the 3 projects. He explained what work he would do and the parts to be used. On the outside outlet he said the best way and the only way he would do it was to run the 20 amp circuit directly from the panel. The other two wanted to tap into the existing outlet! The two indoor projects were similar to Pikes and Lenhart, the big difference was the total price. R&a's was 30% less than the other two and I got the quote in writing. 3 days later 2 young men and came and did the work. 2-1/2 hours later the place was clean and we were more than pleased! They left me a 5' piece of Romeo so I could add another outlet in the kitchen oboe the cabinet for the above cabinet led lighting. SO, get several quotes and be sure to get one from the contractor did the original work on your home.

[philnpat]

Originally Posted by movinsoon

We had the same problem with our treadmill and had planned on doing the same thing but talked to my friend Golfingnut about the problem. He changed the breaker and we no longer have the problem. It had to do with a problem with the 15amp ARC breaker. I ordered the new one from Home Depot on line as they did not have the right ones in the store. Check with Golfingnut, I am sure he will be happy to give you the details.

Arc breakers can be a problem. As long as the 15A breaker was replaced with another 15A breaker, you'll be ok...but if it was replaced by a 20A breaker, that's an issue. 20A breakers must not be used on 15A circuits as the wire size is smaller on a 15A circuit and could cause a fire.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by gomsiepop

That's a good idea but, right now I am too angry. If I didn't question the bill I would never know their policy. I just hope that this post will inform other homeowners of Pike's Electric.

Everytime I get poor service or when I think I have been ripped off, I tell as many people as possible. Going to their office etc., might get you some immediate satisfaction but the company will continue to apply their practices to others. Getting into their pockets and loss of business gets their attention more quickly than anything. In the Villages, the worse thing to happen to a business is for their reputation to be questioned. Your posting was exactly the right thing to do !!!!! I cannot imagine any service man charging a customer for his time to come to the work site. PIKE ELECTRIC, I don't plan to call upon you anytime soon.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Warren Kiefer

Everytime I get poor service or when I think I have been ripped off, I tell as many people as possible. Going to their office etc., might get you some immediate satisfaction but the company will continue to apply their practices to others. Getting into their pockets and loss of business gets their attention more quickly than anything. In the Villages, the worse thing to happen to a business is for their reputation to be questioned. Your posting was exactly the right thing to do !!!!! I cannot imagine any service man charging a customer for his time to come to the work site. PIKE ELECTRIC, I don't plan to call upon you anytime soon.

I don't think the OP was giving clear enough information to make that decision never to use Pikes. First, did he get an estimate from them before the work was done? Second, did he get quotes from others? Third, he said he "understood" they charge by the hour. I never understood that when we had them do a job for us. We were given a total estimate for the job, and used it for comparison with others, and they were competitive. (Plus the OP said they were satisfied with the work.) No estimate? Good work? Did he just call them and tell them to come out and do the job?

We need to know more details before we go about slamming Pikes or deciding not to use them. For all we know, they ALL factor in travel time in their costs.

[JoeC1947]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I don't think the OP was giving clear enough information to make that decision never to use Pikes. First, did he get an estimate from them before the work was done? Second, did he get quotes from others? Third, he said he "understood" they charge by the hour. I never understood that when we had them do a job for us. We were given a total estimate for the job, and used it for comparison with others, and they were competitive. (Plus the OP said they were satisfied with the work.) No estimate? Good work? Did he just call them and tell them to come out and do the job?

We need to know more details before we go about slamming Pikes or deciding not to use them. For all we know, they ALL factor in travel time in their costs.

The OP was very clear. Warren, you are right.

[JB in TV]

Originally Posted by gomsiepop

...When I questioned him, he explained that Pike's Electric charges for the amount of time it takes for the electrician to travel from his last customer until he arrives at the next customer. This travel time is billed to the customer....

This just doesn't sound right...Suppose they scheduled a job at the north end of TV then one at the south end, and then one at the north end again...they woud be making $85 an hour for traveling all day???? That's one way to make a full day's wages without having the business....

Now I have heard of travel time charges, but that is usually a fixed amount, or based on travel time from their place of business to your job site... I just wonder if there was a misunderstanding about how the trip charge is figured?