Pike's Electric
 

I had electrical work done by Pike's Electric. The work done was to change out two of my recessed lights and install two pendant lights. My understanding was that Pike's Electric charges by the hour. The first hour being $85.00 and each hour thereafter $65.00 per hour. When the work was completed, which was satisfactory, the electrician presented me with a bill for $242. I was surprised since he only spent one hour and 15 minutes, including bringing his tools into my home and setting up. The amount of time spent actually installing the pendants was less than one hour. I questioned the bill and he explained that he provided two can converters at a cost of $92.00. I was being charged for two hours of work. 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 practice should have been explained to me before any work was done. Needless to say I will NEVER have Pike's Electric do any work for me in the future.

they R not competitive, they are really geared to new builds.

You can get additional work done at about half that cost if you shop

I would have gone down to their store and talked somebody other than the electriciam that did the work. Did you?

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.

It is a surprise when you aren't expecting to pay for travel time. Since this was the norm where I came from in CA, I would have expected the charge.....wouldn't like it...;) but would have known it was coming. This type of charge wasn't only something electricians did, plumbers, appliance repair people, also charged a travel fee.

Sorry you didn't know, but if you ever need a repair man again, it might be a question you want to have answered before engaging the services of the company.

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.

Get more than one quote.

Had issues with Pike's before when trying to buy Fans from them. In my opinion they would charge you for the air you breathe in their store. I did much better at Lowe's and without the hassle. I too would not use them.

We have 3 coming in.

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Family Choice Electrical just installed pendant lights and spotlights in our back yard. very pleased with their work.

Had a bad experience at the retail store.

I also had poor service from Pikes at LSL. Would not go back.

I hate to pile on, but, also had a bad experience with the LSL store. They offered to order a floor lamp for me and weeks and weeks and calls and calls later and many excuses later...they finally said they couldn't (wouldn't?) get it. Wasted a lot of time with them. Not impressed.

I hate to change all the bad reviews. Just had Pike install and mount a TV on the Lanani wall of my Gardenia. They also installed the high hat LED's. Young man worked his butt off, very happy with the work. You pay for what you get

Pike installed a couple of wall mount lights in our bedroom and did an excellent job. The lamps aline up exactly exactly right and it would really bother me if one lamp was a little higher or lower than the other. The lamps were special ordered and I didn't have to wait very long for them to be installed.

John

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.

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. :mornincoffee:

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.

Pikes
 

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.

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

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"!

Breaker tripping
 

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.

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!

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.

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.

I do This Too
 

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.

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

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?

What's clear about did he get an estimate, and did he compare it with others?

I am the OP and I am a she. My husband does not go on Talk of The Villages. I didn't get an estimate from Pike's since I already had work done by them previously and knew their electricians were knowledgeable. Specifically, a screen room where the contractor I hired sub-contracted the electrical work to Pike's. I am not going to slam an electrician that knew how to execute the work required and possibly jeopardize his employment. Not only did I start a thread on Talk of The Villages but, I also initiated a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. I think I'll get better results going that route than speaking to a Pike's representative. Like they say "don't mess with a woman".

BBB is a total waste of time, they R private franchises no power at all,

U need judge Judy, really not happy small claims is the way to go.

LOL, this thread is comical. The only justice I want is in the future Pike's Electric does not rip off another unsuspecting customer.

Ripped off???
No estimate.
Pike was a sub contractor.
Management of Pikes not contacted, yet slammed on TOTV.
BBB first question will be was the issue discussed with Pike's owner.
Judge Judy would throw this out in a hearbeat......................

Bogie Shooter shame on you!! I guess you never hired a contractor before. The same way The Villages subcontracts the work out to the various trades when a homeowner hires a contractor where various trades are necessary they also subcontract to the trades that are necessary. And no I didn't contact Pike's. Why would I? To fight with them, never! And why the allegiance with Pike's? Is Bogie Shooter actually Mr. Pike in disguise. LOL......

(1)I have
(2) Maybe for them to correct your problem
(3) Why do you think it would be a fight
(4) I don't like to see a local business slammed in a public forum without the chance to defend themselves. Had you contacted them and was told to "go to H%$#" then I could understand the direction you have taken
I say shame on you!!

Jeesus Bogie!!! Any time someone comments on a bad experience with anything its "What did the manager say!" " What did the manager say!! " We all know thats coming as soon as someone posts a bad experience. Really.........no disrespect to you Bogie but some people maybe aren't like you, they may not be comfortable with this. And before you say " how would the manager know if you don't tell him or her" I say they SHOULD!
They read the blogs and if they don't they really don't care. Maybe you can be the go to contact for us all and when we have a problem we contact you and you " talk to the manager" for us. I have to say you sound more than willing...........just a thought ;)

Actually, I agree with Bogie's modus operandi. This is standard operating procedure, not something he came up with on his own and keeps pushing.

Before you slam someone's business publicly, I think you have an obligation to try to work things out with that establishment. Especially since you were satisfied with the work done. If they won't work with you or the work was poor, then you've got a public gripe.

It's not a one-way street.

The bottom line is the OP did not get an estimate first, did not get comparison estimates, and will not speak with the manager. She has no idea if adding travel time is standard in the electrical industry because she got no other estimates and asked no questions as to what those estimates entailed. Maybe they all add travel time and Pikes was the only one who broke it down and acknowledged that fact.

I Agree
 

Amen Bill. I see this nearly every day. It's an outrage that such charges even take place.