M. Foley Electric Inc

I hired Matt for electric work and he said it was $95/hr two hour minimum. They came, did the work, and then said it was $155 per hour for 3 hours and that the $95/ hour quoted in writing was only for two hours of work or less. Fortunately I have a written quote for the price I was quoted. Despite this, and my recommendation that he look at the quote, he threatened to take me to small claims court. The staff and electricians who did the work are nice, but the owner Matt is condescending and snarky. If he does take me to small claims court, I will file a complaint with the Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure for multiple violations in state mandated procedures and laws, not to mention how he treated me.

I found M. Foley's information online and he responded quickly.  He came out to the house, looked at the fuse box, quoted me $2000 to upgrade the box.  This seemed to be around the usual price and he seemed to know what he was doing so I hired him.  The work was done while I was at work and I left the check (written out to him, as requested) in an envelope on the dining room table.  When I returned home, the panel had been replaced and there were circuit breakers.  I naively assumed the work was done correctly and to code, as I had hired a professional with a license.  The check was cashed that week and I thought nothing more about it.


This summer, my husband and I began renovating our kitchen.  We have saved up and budgeted for this large task.  When a locally hired electrician came to add GFCI outlets for the major appliances and to replace all outlets in the kitchen, we learned that the panel needs to be replaced.  There is corrosion inside the panel from water dripping down a pipe from outside into the panel.  Wires are exposed at the top of the box.  The box is directly behind the water line into the house and is not the required distance away.  The grounding wire for the panel and therefore the house is attached to that water line.  The electrician went to the town hall to ask about the inspection for this work, as he was shocked it had passed.  Turns out it did not.  Matt Foley did not pull a permit for this work.  The town has no record of this.  I contacted Matt Foley using the email he used to email me 4 years ago on June 27.  I also sent a message through his website.  We were in the middle of a renovation and needed a quick response.  I gave him the opportunity to come out and replace the panel according to code.  After two days with no response I sent another email highlighting how urgent we need this done because the inspector cannot sign off on the new outlets with the panel in this condition.  He responded in an email that he didn't understand why there would be a problem 4 years after the fact and that he was trying to find his records for this, but in 2012 he was upgrading his computer system.  I responded with pictures of the panel, and a picture of the check (made out to him and cashed, which seems to me to be another problem tax-wise).         Over a week went by with no response.  I sent a couple more emails reminding him of the urgency and mentioned that if he is not going remedy this, or even respond, then I would share my experience.  After two weeks I received an email that he 
"or one of my guys will stop by early next week and if we see fault we will swap it out".  I responded immediately and asked what day and time.  I received no response until the end of Monday rolled around (which would be early next week).  At this point, I had given up that he was going to do anything and honestly, did not want to work with him anymore.  I emailed him that I will just have to hire another electrician to replace the panel correctly, and I expected him to send me my money back.  I received no response.  It has now been nearly a month.  
As you can imagine, I feel angry, embarrassed, and vulnerable.  I had owned a house for 3 months.  I hired a licensed electrician to upgrade the electrical panel.  I assumed that as a professional, the work would be done correctly and with all requirements.  I was wrong to trust M. Foley and now not only is that $2000 gone, but I must spend an additional $2000 to replace it.  We will have to delay purchasing new appliances for our kitchen remodel.  M. Foley took advantage of my 'newness' in home ownership, my age and inexperience with contractors (I was a 28 year old single female), and he has now refused to take responsibility and make it right.  I'm done dealing with him.  While his business may have grown since then, his character and professionalism are no doubt the same.  Do not trust him to do the work correctly.  Learn from my mistake and follow up with your contractors.  Demand to see the permits pulled.  
  

I called Matt and he was able to quickly do an estimate within 2 days. 
When he came for the estimate, he explained my options, showed me pictures of what bathroom lights would look like.
Able to schedule work within a week of the estimate.
Showed up on time and did work quickly, efficiently and well!!
He is pleasant and respectful to work with. 
Price was fair for the work. 
I would definitely recommend him.