BUKOIEMSKI ELECTRICAL

s woThis review starts in 1991 through 1993. In early 1991 I purchased a two-family in Billerica. Joseph Bukoiemski was one of several quotes I contemplated. I was up front with him - explaining that I am very fussy, and I want whomever I hired to do a great job. I wanted the wiring to be done with 'heavy-duty' wiring and brand name components. Joe & I agreed that he was to change Both services to each apartment, relocate the meters to the outside - and do some basic creation of new outlets and updating old ones - and all of this was to be performed with ALL the necessary/standard permits! I also informed him that expecting that all things going well - I would over the years continue to hire this electrician over and over again - to continue to upgrade this 1914 house. I didn't know the lingo very well back then - but I know more now. Joe informed me of his 'pride in workmanship' - that if at any point down the road (even be it in years) - he would 'stand behind his work'. This job was performed over 3-days. And his helper was 'Matt'. I still vividly recall the first day - Joe & Matt strapped on their tool-belts and Joe stated (something to the effect of), "Lets hammer this thing out!" (meaning - lets do a rush job). I was present during these 3 days - and Matt went in my walk-up attic - took one of the antique tongue & groove 15-20 foot (and wide) floorboards - and lifted on it until it broke in two. I rushed up there - and was very angry. They explained it was 'impossible' to remove these boards without ruining them. I told him the first one was on me - if they broke any more - it was coming out of the job. Odd - more were removed - but no more were broken. We had talked of the circuits - I said I'd like each room on a separate circuit breaker - Joe insisted that having it mixed up would be better.After the 3-days. Upon 'completion' Joe affixed a business card sticker to the door of the new circuit panel boxes - with his name and contact information. I found (as he had informed me) a high-quality spade drill bit stuck in my basement's ceiling. Joe said he was unable to remove it. I spent some time on it - and removed it myself. I left him a voice message saying I had done so. Joe returned my message - Demanding I surrender this bit too him (why else would I have called to let him know!). He came by and picked it up. I found Joe had cut many corners in this job, he installed 'Challenger' brand circuit panels - an unpopular brand back then - and now out of business. I told him to install heavy-duty wiring (which I now know is called 12-2) - but they installed 14-2 (to official code) - but 'Light'-duty'. Years later - in hiring a much better electrician we discovered Joe had mixed some 'old' (existing) wire (12-2) with the new 14-2 (a strict code violation!). I found shortly after his job - he tried to cut a corner - and ran some Romex 14-2 up into a wall in a hole with a steam-pipe went up (Crazy!). He came out and changed that. There were some other 'bloopers' that Joe came out and corrected - but my faith in having confidence this job was done safe and well - no longer existed. I had a hard time reaching Joe - AFTER he was paid. HE did call me - to say Matt lost his small flashlight there - and wanted ME to find it. About a year later - a tenant informed me that the GFI Joe installed in the bathroom - had sparks come out of it. I found It was black and sooty around that outlet. He tried to blame the tenant - but I had stopped believing what Joe told me. I recall - it was about a year and a half later - there were MORE problems with his work. I left him MANY voice messages - he returned NONE of them. I left one more message - that I would have to do something neither of us would enjoy - that if I didn't hear from him in a week - I'd have to take action. - I gave.him at least Two weeks - no response. So I did my back up plan - I called the Billerica Electrical inspector - and by some unseen 'magic' - Joe responded to his contact. The two of them made an appointment - came over to my house - Joe was livid! - When the inspector stepped away - Joe whispered that he was now in all sorts of 'trouble' - and even 'Had to pull a permit'. - I reminded Joe that he claimed to have done so a year and half earlier. Shame on me for paying him - without confirming this on my own - and shame on him for lying! Before Joe left for the final time - he told me to 'never contact him again!' - He tore his business card stickers off the panels. I was thinking' - 'Who'd want him back? - NOT me!'.' Slowly over the years - I now have a wonderful electrician - the meters remain outside - but ALL of Joe's work is being redone. We got rid of one of those stupid Challenger panels. What a waste - to have to redo so much work all over again. Joe should have to pay for it all - but life doesn't work that way. I wouldn't hire Joseph Bukoiemski to change a light bulb!! - This was all back in 1991-93 - sometimes people change for the better - but there are many electricians out there. I think Joe never predicted there would someday be an Angieslist.com