NOLT ELECTRIC INC

We were impressed by Duane and his knowledge of the trade and experience with these kinds of old houses. We also found the $2800 estimate reasonable as well as his willingness to work with us in our own cost-saving measures, when we for example, pulled up attic board ourselves to try and speed up their job. Because we were in a hurry and on a budget, we took their estimate without a ton more shopping around. (lots of electricians apparently didn't like this messy work in old houses with digging in the walls, floors, etc.) By the time the 2-man crew arrived, we had opened up the attic floor and pared down our wish list, and I thought they'd have little problem getting under the estimate. In fact, there was some miscommunication as they attempted to re-install old sconces that we asked them not to. On the other hand, our house walls proved more difficult to fish wires through than they predicted with its horizontal wall beams which they however handily drilled through without too much ripping and tearing. In the end, they completed the job in 3.5 days as estimated, with two men (not Duane), BUT the labor costs were WAY higher than estimated at over $4200 (50% over estimate). I am still in disbelief how a job that took the estimated time to complete was so much more expensive than the estimate. Apparently, Duane errored and used a new-house formula for parts and labor associated with installing a certain number of fixtures and receptacles, and our house proved quite a bit more work than the formula. (though he knew it would be). In the end, he reduced the bill twice, eventually meeting the +20% ceiling estimate of $3360. It's no longer exorbitant, but certainly higher than I expected given that the crew was there for the exact amount of time he originally estimated... and performed fewer installations (3 fewer lights and 1 fewer switch) than originally ordered.