What to do if an electrician is charging for an estimate?
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What to do if an electrician is charging for an estimate?
I called an electrician to fix my vacuum cleaner. He came to my house and told me the motor was broken. He then told me it would cost $400 to fix. He then left. He was in my house for 5 minutes. He mailed me a bill the next week for $60 for the estimate. He never told me that there was a fee for estimates. I didn’t agree to anything nor did I sign anything. He said he will send my bill to a collection agency if I don’t pay.
Asked on February 18, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, New York
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You do not owe for an estimate unless you were made aware of the charge up front and agreed to it.
You have two options:
1) if you can afford the $60, you might pay, since it will save you the time and cost of taking action as well as spare you from having to deal with collections. It is unfair to have to pay it, but it is sometimes the most practical response.
2) if you can't--or simply refuse to pay--let the electrician know that because he did not inform you of the cost for an estimate in advance, you do not owe it; and if he tries to collect or sends the bill to a collection agency, you will sue him for consumer fraud, report him to the better business bureau, and possibly report him to whatever board or agency licenses electricians in your state; then be ready to follow through with these steps if necessary. If contacted by a collections agency, dispute the debt in writing and let them know that it is fraudulent and you are taking action against the electrician.
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