Kolb Electric

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I had used Kolb several years ago and had a great experience. I originally scheduled an appointment to install 1 ceiling fan and 2 lights. After obtaining 2 additional ceiling fans, I called back to let them know that I had additional fans. I was told that they had let the manager know. When the guy showed up, he was annoyed at seeing the additional fans. In addition, he quoted a price different than that I had been quoted on the phone. I then prioritized what I wanted him to do in the time he had. When he was almost done with the first fan, he complained that it was the most complicated one he'd seen in 11 years. He then moved on to a light. Said it wasn't wired right. Told him to stop work on that and move to the next light. He spent time removing the plate and accessing the box/wires. Said that builder had installed a fan box, not a light box and that it would need replacing. He also needed a second person to hang it. Was told I needed to schedule another day. After an hour of labor with no result, no way would I schedule anything else with them. What a disappointment.

Pros: The electrician did arrive with the available tools to perform the job, and he was able to hang the chandelier. I went with this company after making a few comparisons. I should have done more research.



Cons: The chandelier was rectangular with a rectangular base. The electrician first spent the better part of 20 mins searching the box the chandelier came in for an additional cover or medallion because the base wouldn't be wide enough to cover the hole made by the electrical box. I already advised that there were no additional parts. Mind you, the first 30 mins cost $98 ($49 for every additional half hour), which I wasn't happy about at all. The electrician advised me that there would be a hole on the ceiling and that they did not do those cosmetic repairs. I acknowledged that fact, which seemed reasonable considering the shape of the narrow base,, and had him continue already half an hour into the service.



After installing the brace and electrical mount, the electrican REQUIRED my assistance to lift the chandelier (weighing maybe 15-20 lbs. It was made of a light cloth material) while he mounted it, OR he would not be able to complete the service and he would need to call another electrician to my address and causing it to cost more. WHY that was not assessed during his arrival is bewildering. I assisted. He then requested my assistance to screw in the side screws. Was I his assistant?



Once it was completed, it was obvious the electrical box was installed too far out casing the base to be slanted forward. The chandelier was crooked. I pointed this out to him, and he said there was nothing that could be done. [I was later advised that adding a spacer on the opposite side before screwing the base in would have helped even it out (I now have another project to deal with aside from the hole).]



To finish the service off, the electrician made a complete mess: plastic bags, parts from the ceiling brace, fingerprints on the ceiling and the base.



The whole experience was disappointing and frustrating and the service ended up costing almost $350; more than the price of the chandelier!! I did express my concerns and frustrations at the sloppy and unprofessional service to an individual with the company. They understood my concern, relayed that the electrician was very experienced (and this seemed very abnormal), and offered to send someone to my home to survey the work and consider any repairs. I declined the offer considering I already missed one day of work to be available for this electrician, and wasn't going to miss another for just a survey (likely involving another for any repairs). I requested some kind of discount. I paid a high price for poor work and service. After the individual on the phone got back to me a week later, they offered a 10% discount.



I could understand cheap service, poor quality, but expensive service and poor quality?? In all, HUGE disappointment.

Had a minor problem with an exterior light, Kolb was very fast and polite, and fixed the problem in no time. I would definitely use them again.