Epie's Electric Services

They were absolutely phenomenal. They were prompt and very professional. They were courteous in my home. They stayed within my budget. They were very precise.

Dan Doster and his helper arrived on time. We reviewed the work to be done, and they handled it promptly and efficiently. The work areas were clean when they finished. Good experience, good communication. Would use again. In fact, I plan to use them again for some plumbing upgrades in the next few weeks.

Excellent experience. I called them to fix a toilet that was running and wasting water. They discovered a second toilet that was also leaking causing my water bill to be 50% higher than the month before. I also called them because water was leaking from the wall between the washing machine and the den. They identified the problem as a clogged drain pipe. They needed to unclog the pipe through the crawl space. But when they went into the crawl space they found that two pvc traps were cracked so that raw sewage from the dishwasher and garbage disposal were going directly onto the crawlspace floor onto the moisture protector. The place smelled awful but we could not smell it one floor up. The plumber spent his first visit cleaning the plastic surface with clorox and detergent. He came back the second day to replace the two pvc traps after removal of the clog in the washing machine drain. They made three trips to my house and still charged only $705.00. They insist on explaining what the problems are and what they are going to do to fix them. Good workers and problem solvers. This was my first experience selectiing an Angie's list professional. My yearly fee of $29 was money well spent even if I never select another Angie's list professional, which is very unlikely. Epie's should be a poster company for Angie's list.

First, the good. The fact is that the resulting product is beautiful and we are extremely happy with it. Its really well done. Indeed, I should add that all of the people brought in to work on the project were clearly skilled and very professional. Alas, I don't believe many were employee's of Epies. So, the bad. There are 2 basic problems, the first perhaps less important than the second. First, I thought I was hiring a firm that would do all of the work; I was seeking to avoid hiring a contractor. Instead, I got a firm that contracted out most of the work. Fortunately, as I said, all of those hired did excellent work. Kudos for Dan for working with great craftsman. I wouldn't have been able to get them on my own and as I said, they were very good. Second, poor communication. Communication was especially poor from Epie's to us, but there were also miscommunications between Epie's and the workers. Apparently, I also failed to make various things clear to Epie's; I won't insist none of that was my fault. But its the breakdown in communication from Epie's to us that was most troublesome. So, some examples (this list is not complete): -At the first stage, we were told there would be dust, and we asked if we should empty the closet adjacent to where the work was being done. We were told that this would not be necessary as they would put up a plastic divider to keep the dust contained. There was no vacuum used either--when I asked why, after the fact, I was told it wouldn't really do much. The dust was in the closet, covering everything in it. The dust got out into the rest of the house. We did get an apology for this, but there was much cleaning to do and that increased the cost to us. -Though I had indicated we would keep the toilet that was in there, the guys doing the first stage of work went to toss it. I had them take it off the garbage pile, so we could use it. It was a low-flow toilet (a good 1.6 gpf unit), so I do not see why we had to buy a new one. In any case, after having it sit outside for weeks, we decided to go ahead and buy a new 1.2 gpf unit. -They left a large hole (say 2.5 feet across) in the floor for 5 days! A hole right into the crawlspace. Lovely. They didn't even plan to cover it with plastic until I said something. Had we been told this would happen, we might have made different arrangements. -Though we discussed the design plans (our creation) before any work was done, we had designed it with something that could not be done (a door on an angle into the shower) but weren't told that until much later. -The floor repair went from an estimated $100-$200 to a $900 job. I don't doubt that this was the best route or that it was necessary. I'm glad it was done right. But we were not consulted at all before it was done. The more than four-fold increase in price just appeared. -Despite encouraging us to have a timer switch for the shower fan and getting my agreement very early on, Epie's installed a regular switch. To come back and change it to a timer switch, they wanted an additional $135. Its not clear why this was not just included in the original estimate, but I decided I would do it myself. -When the shower was done, there was a sudden additional charge for doing accent tiles. Mind you, we bought the tiles, so this was just for the labor. Since that was part of the design from the beginning (it was in the picture we showed Dan; and we had the tiles!), I was shocked to find out that it wasn't in the original pricing (I guess there is more work involved with cutting and placing the smaller tiles). The fact that this exactly offset the savings we thought we were gaining from not doing a tile seat (which was on the estimate from the beginning) made the whole thing seem like a fantastic coincidence. -Also when all of the tiling was done, there was a sudden additional cost for adhesive to hold tile in place and for the tile sealer. Now I did not know either of these things was needed, but I would think that those in the business would know before starting the project that they are necessary. I thus think they should have been included in the original estimate. Ah well. Live and learn. All in all, the process was pretty bad. And many of the problems involved increased costs; without doing the math, I would guess that the whole project (including the materials we supplied) cost 25-30% more than we expected when we got Epie's first estimate. Of course, the project also took far longer than planned (almost twice as long). The problems were due, I believe, to the two factors indicated above: I ended up getting a contractor and the communication was poor. I wanted to avoid a contractor because I realize that with a contractor--even a good one--the time for any project is greater (since more people's schedules have to be accommodated) and there is more room for miscommunication. So, my advice: if you want to hire a firm to do a project that involves more than 1 trade, ask if all of the workers are direct employees or if any of the work is being contracted out. Sometimes the latter is necessary, I admit. And sometimes its just simply good for everyone--as you can get greatly skilled people (as we did!). But it adds a layer of complication as well. That complication is magnified if the contractor does not communicate really well. I should note again, though, that the final product here is really great. That is a very big plus!

Dan Doster who is Epie's Handyman is an artist. I will always hire this Master Electrician. His work is done to perfection, better than expected, and in perfect order.

I am looking for a handyman to do 5 or 6 projects around the house and naturally I went to ANGIE'S List. I was very excited to read the profile for Epies Repair Service because of the breadth of their expertise in the services they offer. I visited their website and read additional Information about the Company and decided to submit a request for their services through the website. Epies website has some very good nformational including iadditional descriptive about the services they offerand a map with a very clear statement that they only serve customers who live within a 10-mile radius of their office. However looking at the map and having a 30-year knowledge of Atlanta I was sure that my home was close but within the 10-mile radius requirement. The morning after I submitted my list of projects and request list I was excited to see an email from Epies in my inbox. My excitement was quickly crushed to read that Jesse the General Manager for Epie said they would not be contacting me because my home is too far away. For curiosity's sake I plugged their address into Google Maps and requested directions to my house. I was given three routes two showing the distance at 11.2 miles and one showing the distance at 9.9 miles. Ah, so close and yet so far.

Did a nice job fixing fence. One minor problem after they left, and they came right back out and took care of the problem. Will use again.

Oh, so sorry. I forgot that someone dredging up a bunch of lies and sending it off to the BBB for some bit of vainglory was OK. Gee, I bet you made a great surgeon. I bet the grandmothers you worked on were really stable, oh wait, that was the b******* you said to my office manager. Does make you feel proud that you can be a j****** and yet you want others to sit back and take your crap. Well I did and profusely apologized for it but in your own sniveling way you thought that your comments would make a difference. Well whoop dee doo. I'm still at 98% customer satisfaction and I haven't killed anyone yet. Epie's Repair Service, LLC Master Plumber and Master Electrician On Staff 770-939-8808 [email protected] www.EpiesHandyman.com Angie?s List ? Super Service Award Winner 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Contractor's License # RBQA005020 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Date: Thu, 8 Aug 2013 17:47:35 -0400 Subject: Re: Shameful Refrain yourself from using my email to verbally assault me. Kenneth L. Wilson, MD, FACS Chief of Trauma Associate Program Director Division of Trauma & Critical Care Department of Surgery Morehouse School of Medicine Atlanta, GA 30310 Office: 404-616-1415 Fax: 404-616-1417 ------ Original Message ------ From: Daniel Doster Date: 8/7/2013 8:39 AM To: Wilson, Kenneth; Subject: RE: Shameful Yeah, I though since you were such an a****** it would remind you of being a jerk. Guess it worked. Have a nice life you scumbag. Epie's Repair Service, LLC Master Plumber and Master Electrician On Staff 770-939-8808 [email protected] www.EpiesHandyman.com Angie?s List ? Super Service Award Winner 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Contractor's License # RBQA005020 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2013 19:02:40 -0400 Subject: Re: Shameful I am not sure what you were hoping to accomplish sending this to me. However, it does not surprise me that it is untimely. Kenneth L. Wilson, MD, FACS Chief of Trauma Associate Program Director Division of Trauma & Critical Care Department of Surgery Morehouse School of Medicine Atlanta, GA 30310 Office: 404-616-1415 Fax: 404-616-1417 ------ Original Message ------ From: Daniel Doster Date: 8/6/2013 6:22 PM To: Wilson, Kenneth; Subject: RE: Shameful Did it work out for you sending the report to BBB? Did it make up for the "slight" that you received from someone sitting in a car at a stop light? I was just wondering. I was throwing out the trash from last year and had a chuckle when I saw this. Epie's Repair Service, LLC Master Plumber and Master Electrician On Staff 770-939-8808 [email protected] www.EpiesHandyman.com Angie?s List ? Super Service Award Winner 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Contractor's License # RBQA005020 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2012 21:06:20 -0500 Subject: RE: Shameful I am not looking for compensation. From: Daniel Doster [[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2012 11:45 AM To: Wilson, Kenneth Subject: RE: Shameful Dear Mr. Wilson, I am totally unaware of what happened with the door in question and cannot tell you how much anguish it causes me to hear that this has happened. During this summer I had talked to you about the door and thought everything was in order. I don't remember hearing that a door was ordered wrong but the person who came to your home, who is now no longer with me, should have given me more information on what happened. I've looked back at my calendar from that time and I believe I came out in early October to look at the situation and possibly around the 20th, I don't have the exact date, or that was when my employee came over that is all the record I have. I don't know how to make this up to you. Would you like for me to reimburse you for the door? Could that door not have been returned? I would gladly install it or any other item you would like installed and I hope you realize that the amicable person you met is still the same person that is appalled that this happened to you. A note I might add: Jesse, my office assistance came to work in August and part of his learning curve, no experience in construction and learning QuickBooks and such, he did not realize the importance of listening carefully when employees came back from a job site. I instructed him that the first five minutes an employee comes back from working are the most important customer relation minutes we have. We can gauge the mood of the customer and how we can best serve them in the future by listening to what the employee has to say. I am sure that Bill came in and they probably mentioned to each other that the door didn't fit but that word did not reach me or, like now, I would have immediately gotten in touch with you about a solution. This is not a finger pointing exercise, just saying this is probably what happened in retrospect. So, to sum up, we did a very poor job of communicating and I am so glad my letter to you came and that somehow I can redeem this situation. I haven't been around all these years by having people not be satisfied in the end. I want to make this better and not make if go away. Let me know how best I can serve you, Sincerely, Dan Epie's Handyman, LLC Master Plumber and Master Electrician On Staff, not Subcontracted 770-939-8808 [email protected] www.EpiesHandyman.com Angie?s List Super Service Award Winner 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 Contractor's License # RBQA00502 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] CC: [email protected] Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2012 05:50:40 -0500 Subject: Shameful Dear Mr. Doster: I find it appalling that you would send an advertisement to my house (deleted) after the lack of service that you gave to me and my family. I contacted you for the placement of a door on my sun porch. We met in my kitchen and had a prolonged discussion that even included your personal medical history. You seemed like an amicable man, and I decided to extend the service opportunity to you. I wrote down the measurement of the door that you gave me and all of the materials that you would need. You suggested that I take the information to Cofer Bros. in Tucker, which I did. The door was ordered and delivered to my house. When your worker came to place the door he said that the door measurements were wrong and that the door would not fit. I never heard from you again. I actually saw your truck while we sat a light on Lavista, and you nervously waved and kept moving. I finally donated the door to a contractor. I find it shameful that I spent $500 after trusting you, and you did nothing. Please remove me from your mailing list. I will now forward this letter to the Better Business Bureau. Sincerely, Kenneth L. Wilson, MD,FACS Chief of Trauma Associate Program Director Division of Trauma &Critical Care Department of Surgery Morehouse School of Medicine Atlanta, GA 30310 Office: 404-616-1415 Fax: 404-616-1417

The electric work was done with absolute professionalism and very quickly. We had a kitchen renovation and were not happy with the company the kitchen renovators used for other wiring items. This job was done after the project was finished, when we discovered the microwave unit (which took the place of a plain hood), which had been installed by the renovation crew, was tripping the circuit when on for more than a short period. Epie's was able to run a new line behind all the new tile, etc. under the kitchen, through the crawl area, and over to the breaker without drilling holes or disrupting the kitchen work at all - under 2 hours from start to finish, including the additional breaker. We were quite pleased, and have given their name out to others as well.

What a relief..We have finally found a honest,professional,local company to help with repairs/projects that we have no idea how to do ourselves.Hiring the BIG companys for repairs/projects is all we have done but not anymore. I love the fact that they do and stand by what they say. That is hard to find these days ..I would recommend them to anyone and everyone I know. I have many more projects to have done and I will be calling them in the near future.Thanks so much to Dan and Jessie for such great service and honesty. Also the three wonderful gentlemen that did the fence ..What a "hoot" it is so nice to have found such a great bunch of people .

They give excellent service. They are efficient, professional, couldn't be any nicer and I would use them in the future

Superb!! Dan was very professional and provided an estimate within moments after review the potential work. The three-man crew were fast, courteous and efficient. In addition, they ofered me a couple of options I would not have considered which demostrated just how experienced they were. I'll definitely call Epie's again.

Dan arrived as scheduled and gave me a written estimate before beginning work. They repaired all window sills with Bondo or similar putty. They filled all carpenter bee holes and painted. While repairing the exterior door frame trim, they discovered another piece that needed to be replaced and consulted me with an estimate on additional cost before completing that work. Door repair was done with replacement wood. Overall they did a great job and the repaired surfaces look great. 6 months later, the surfaces are still intact and still look good. Dan was very professional and a straight shooter. I would recommend him for his quality work.

It went well. I have no complaints.

Everything on both jobs went extremely well--in fact pretty much perfectly. Not only did Epie's exceed all of my expectations in virtually every aspect of both of these projects, they did so by a lot. This company is by far the most professional, reliable and reasonably priced home repair/handyman service I have ever dealt with. Each time I needed to call Epie's, the phone was either answered or my call was returned within a couple of hours. Written estimates were sent quickly via e-mail, it was easy to schedule appointments at convenient times, and Epie's folks showed up and completed the jobs exactly when they said they would do so. On the electrical work, all of the wires were secured neatly to floor joists in unfinished areas of the basement and crawl space, and the receptacle was installed with no damage to the wall (it looks like it was part of the original construction). And although the electrical work was done by a licensed electrician, the price was extremely reasonable based on other estimates that I received for the same work. Regarding the toilet replacement, even though the old toilet had been incorrectly "grouted in" when the floor was previously tiled (which was not anticipated in Epie's estimate), the installation of the new toilet was flawless and there was no increase in the price charged. And although I was not at home for the toilet replacement, my wife commented a couple of times that Josh was one of the nicest and most professional persons who has ever done work in our home. I will not only use Epie's again in the future, but I have and will continue to recommend them enthusiastically to friends and neighbors. My only regret is not having known about Epie's long ago. And I thank Angie's List for bringing this company to my attention.

Josh was very polite, professional and did not leave any clean-up for me to take care of. He knew what he was doing and did an excellent job.

very polite...cleaned up everything...a pleasure to deal with

I made an appointment with Epie's service but he had to cancel due to mechanical problems with his truck. He did reschedule but in the meantime I called Pat Murphy Electric and they came out and performed the service. They were excellent.

As always he does what he says he'll do. It's a no-nonsense operation, very efficient, very competent. Have used this gentleman for many years.

Needed an exhaust fan installed in a bathroom of a rental property. But also, needed to coordinate with the tenant. They were able to find a day, and get the work done to the satisfaction of the tenant, as planned. I was really expecting it to cost a bit more, but they were able to get in, get it handled, and the price was very good.

My experience overall went very well. They did a wonderful job. The staff was very friendly and professional. I would highly recommend them to others.

I have used them twice, I was pleased with them the first time, so I called them for another electrical job. They are very friendly, considerate and helpful. I found them in a neighborhood magazines.

They did a very good job. They are very pleasant to work with. Dan doesn't say much, but he does a very good job. All the subcontractors did an excellent job. They are coming back out here tomorrow to put in a new sink for us. Their price was very competitive and they were all dead on time.

They sent a very nice younger member of the team ( I believe he was the nephew?)to do the entire job-alone. He was nice, but could not give a consult on roof though he took a look at it. He called back and spoke to the owner describing what he saw. Turns out, the pipe was not connected and he simply reconnected it. No timer was installed. No roof work was needed per his phone conversation with owner at the office. The young man said he was sure they would not Bill for $129.00 and I agreed. About three days later, I received a bill for $129.00. I had to call the owner, review with him what work was actually done ('re-attach the pipe), which he agreed but still wanted to charge the price for a timer installation. We talked a while longer and he graciously consented to at least a lower price. It was a promptly completed job and the folks are nice but all in all not the experience I expected.

This is the second time we've worked with Epie's, and once again very pleased with their professionalism and the quality of the work. Very very reasonable prices.