I called for an electrician to install a 225 outlet for my dryer. I found the ad on craigslist and so I called the number to get an estimate and schedule an install. The woman on the phone informed me that the cost would be $125 plus materials. The cost sounded reasonable so I went ahead and scheduled an install.
When the installers arrived they asked me if I was informed about how much the install would be. I told them no, because I wanted to see if they were trying to pull a fast one, since I found it odd for the installer to ask me right away about money before even looking at my house and what I needed installed. It was strange for him to ask me about money before even looking if there was even power to the area I needed the outlet installed. He went outside to call his boss and find out the price. When he returned he told me it would be $125 plus materials plus hourly. I told him that I was told about the $125 and the materials but not the hourly and I would not agree to that arraignment.
I quickly got on the phone and called the office and the same woman who quoted me $125 plus materials the day before had suddenly changed her tune and now stated the install would cost $125 an hour, and the $125 she originally quoted me was for 1 hour and sometimes the installs take longer than one hour. Her supervisor, Kim, got on the phone and informed me that it would cost $500 to $600 for the install of the one 225 watt outlet for my dryer. After telling the installers that I did not need an installation due to their companies unscrupulous business tactics and sent them on their way, the supervisor tried to explain why it would cost 5 to 6 times what was quoted to me on the phone. She explained that the jobs sometimes don't have power to the area and technicians need to install wire and go into the attic. It was apparent this is their business model. To lie about the price over the phone, try to jack up the price at location and make excuses for trying to screw over their customers.
I will not recommend this company to anyone looking for an electrician. I will tell everyone I can that this company is criminal in their dealings. I just hope they don't try to send me a bill, or we may see this matter end up in court.