Stiffed by a Worker - What Can I Do?

[pearlieq]

DH and I wanted to have some Christmas lights this year. Given that he's traveling for work all the time and I'm not at all handy, we decided to hire the job out.

I found a electrician who does holiday lighting. I met with him twice, we wrote up a work agreement, and I hired him to do the job.

He completed the work, we paid him, and that's where the troubles began. Not only did it turn out he did shoddy and incomplete work, but he wouldn't come back to fix lights that weren't working, which was part of the agreement.

Now he won't come take down the lights! He hasn't returned any of my calls or messages in almost two weeks now, and we're past the date where our HOA specifies that the lights have to come down. I took down everything I could reach, but I'm not in a position to go crawling around on the roof, so I'm going to have to hire someone else to do it.

I have no idea what to do now. The money amounts in question won't break me, but it seems like he shouldn't be allowed to get away with this.

I know small claims court is an option, but I don't know how much we'd be entitled to. A full refund? A partial refund of the labor only? Reimbursement for having someone else take them down? Even if we did get a judgment, this guy is shady enough that I don't know we'd ever see a dime.

I'm more concerned with making sure he can't do this to other people than getting my money back.

Does anyone have any experience with this or any ideas?

 

[DisneyScraps]

Do any of your local news stations have segments for consumer complaints? We have one it's called 10 on Your Side. They handle disputes like this. Just the threat of calling them should get him moving because should they decide to take your case, his name will end up on the evening news and that is bad word of mouth.

Lisa

 

[mjkacmom]

Small claims court?

 

[mjkacmom]

You are in luck! http://askjudgemathis.com/ Let us know when you're going to be on!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I would report him to the BBB and take him to small claims court. Bring documentation (copies) of everything. Between those two actions, word would get out about his business shortcomings.

I would take him to small claims court for the principle of the thing.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I would hire someone else to come and take them down. No sense getting the HOA on your case.

Then, I would save all receipts, the contract you have, total everything up, and go to small claims courts and let the court decide how much you should get. This person shouldn't be in business unless you find out there are special circumstances (like an ill member of his family, etc.)

I figure with electrial work, there is always the potential for fire for shoddy work, so it isn't like this guy painted your house wrong or something harmless.

 

[pearlieq]

You are in luck! http://askjudgemathis.com/ Let us know when you're going to be on!

Now that would be one way to make something fun come out of this!

Do I need a lawyer to go to small claims court? Sorry for sounding naive, but I've (fortunately) never been in this position before.

 

[Hannathy]

spread his name around on anything you can. Does he have a listing on the internet that you can leave feedback or a review. At the very least make sure you drop his name at any social gathering you are at and at work. Most small handyman types rely on word of mouth referrals, make sure he doesn't get any.
And as worthless as they are do call the BBB and let them know. Small claims if you can.

He is going to wish he had taken those lights down!

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Give us his name....I'll help you spread the word

 

[WDSearcher]

A future way to help avoid this problem might be to pay 50% upon completion of the install, another 25% upon one agreed-upon follow-up to fix / change anything (within reason) that needs it, and the final 25% upon completion of the removal of the lights.

Sounds like the guy was looking for some extra money around the holidays, got it, and isn't worried about what your complaint might do to his reputation. "An electrician who does holiday lighting" could well be just a guy who thinks he knows more than average about hooking them up and decided to inflate his resume a little. Unless you were doing something really intricate, you didn't need a licensed electrician, and this guy probably wasn't. He got his money and he's gone.

Of course ... it is also possible that something happened that is keeping him from getting back to you. A death in the family or something. But chances are that he's just taking the money and running.

 

[golfgal]

I would report him to the BBB and take him to small claims court. Bring documentation (copies) of everything. Between those two actions, word would get out about his business shortcomings.

I would take him to small claims court for the principle of the thing.

If you are considering taking any legal action you cannot file a grievance with the BBB. The BBB is really not worth the effort because of this. Someone could have 40 lawsuits filed against them and still be in good standing with the BBB.

 

[sparklynails23]

How much did you pay him? My teenager would take them down for $50.

 

[hereyago]

spread his name around on anything you can. Does he have a listing on the internet that you can leave feedback or a review. At the very least make sure you drop his name at any social gathering you are at and at work. Most small handyman types rely on word of mouth referrals, make sure he doesn't get any.
And as worthless as they are do call the BBB and let them know. Small claims if you can.

He is going to wish he had taken those lights down!

Exactly. Someone once told me that if a person has a good experience, with vacation, they will likely just tell a few people, but if the person has a crappy experience, they will tell everyone they can.

How about this: OP, have your neighbor call said handyman to come over to look at something,as a rouse. then when he does BAM be out there and pretend you know nothing about neighbor calling and tell neighbor what crapp work ethic he had or i like the other poster about the news channel, where i live we have a 10 on your side thing to and gets results.

 

[MommyJack]

Now that would be one way to make something fun come out of this!

Do I need a lawyer to go to small claims court? Sorry for sounding naive, but I've (fortunately) never been in this position before.

You don't need a lawyer for small claims court. Just go get the paperwork, fill it out and pay the filing fee. Make copies of any supporting documents you have.

Also, if he was a licensed electrician, you can make a complaint with the licensing board. You could probably report him for calling himself an electrician if he's not licensed.

 

[bonoriffic]

As you live in Chicagoland, email the Problem Solver at the Tribune. yourproblem@tribune.com

They have a column where they solve people's problems such as these.

 

[msmayor]

I'm still trying to figure out why anyone would pay an electrician to put up Christmas lights.

 

[okeydokey]

I'm still trying to figure out why anyone would pay an electrician to put up Christmas lights.

Because not everyone has the time to, or feels secure enough to climb around on the roof.

My DH puts up an elaborate full on light display. There are always strands that light up on the ground and then don't light up on the roof and he goes up and down trying to fix it. If he were unable to do it, there is no way that I would.

He even added several outside electrical boxes so he wouldn't have to combine so many strands together or use as many cords.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

The DH "knows people" in Local 134, Electrician Union. PM his name to me, I'll see if he dig up some info for you. Assuming he's in the Union of course

 

[msmayor]

Because not everyone has the time to, or feels secure enough to climb around on the roof.

My DH puts up an elaborate full on light display. There are always strands that light up on the ground and then don't light up on the roof and he goes up and down trying to fix it. If he were unable to do it, there is no way that I would.

He even added several outside electrical boxes so he wouldn't have to combine so many strands together or use as many cords.

I understand that. Its exactly how my husband feels. So we don't put lights on the roof.

And I get that people like to go all out. That's great.

I just find it odd that an individual would pay a licensed electrician just to put Christmas lights up.

 

[pearlieq]

Thanks so much for the great suggestions. I will definitely be using them!

Knowing what I know now, I doubt the guy is licensed or a union member. If it helps anyone in the Chicago area avoid getting ripped off, his name is Tyler LaBee of TJL Electric, which I think might be based in Naperville.

A future way to help avoid this problem might be to pay 50% upon completion of the install, another 25% upon one agreed-upon follow-up to fix / change anything (within reason) that needs it, and the final 25% upon completion of the removal of the lights.

Sounds like the guy was looking for some extra money around the holidays, got it, and isn't worried about what your complaint might do to his reputation.

That is, of course, what I wish I had done. We gave him 50% at contract and 50% on completion. I absolutely wish I had held a good portion back until after removal. Lesson learned for next time!

I also totally agree with your assessment of the guy/situation. DH and I have taken to calling him "Fly-By-Night Electrical". I don't think he's going to be too worried unless we can find some way to hit him where he lives, so to speak.

How much did you pay him? My teenager would take them down for $50.

Is your teenager available this weekend?

I just find it odd that an individual would pay a licensed electrician just to put Christmas lights up.

We didn't go looking for a licensed electrician to install lights. I would have been fine with a handyman or general laborer. He just happened to be one of the people who advertised that they did holiday lighting.