electrical trouble shooting - how much does it cost?

electricpro

Hello, I really need your help. The lights in the bathroom is not working because I used blowdryer and (I guess) messed it up. I am guessing that that it just need some wiring of the switch. Can anyone give me a price if you also had this kind of project done?

KUIPORNG

You seldom need to change wiring when things not working... have you try all the simple fixes already? like turning on/off breaker and main panel... resetting GFCI, change light bulb...etc.etc...

electricpro

yes, I did, and nothing worked. I just want to know the minimum cost, so it would be much easier when I have a electrician to make an estimate.

KUIPORNG

I imagine they charge by hour ... like one to two hour min... for investigation... after the investigation... they will let you know if you need to spend more if it is a series issue... or a simple fix which does not cost you extra like tightening up one screw... so there wouldn't be definite answer until the professional spent time investigate.....

for DIYer...though... open up the light device... test the hot wire see if it has voltage responding to the switch... if none... that is more complicated problem... if yes...you have a malfunction device...

next step is to open up the outlet where you plug in your blower... check if the outlet is broken ... simple thing is to just replace it... and try again...

turn off breaker at appropriate time in above....

Mike Swearingen

I am NOT a pro electrican, just a long-time DIYer. Based on your question, call an electrician to correct this for you. Since you do not appear to have any electrical experience, DO NOT start going into switch or receptacle boxes or the panel.
The only thing that you should do is to check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker (it may be a gfci breaker), or check for a tripped gfci receptacle on both sides of the bathroom walls.
If it's a tripped breaker (it may not evenlook tripped, but if it is it will feel "loose", switch it all the way off and then back on.
Good luck!
Mike

electricpro

Thank you for you advices, to tell you the truth. I already had a guy come in and look, and the price that he asked for was so rediculous that I had to ask arround. He said it was $129.

KUIPORNG

well do you need to pay him for come in and look?....if not... you are so lucky that he even come and look.... $129 may seems high... but charge is not proportional to work when fix like that, even it is only 5 minutes work for them... they have overhead... sitting at coffee shop when there isn't business...

J. V.

For $129 since he was already there was a steal. You should have let him correct your problem. Now you will have to pay someone to come back.

I would have charged you $75 just to ring your doorbell.

Good electricians do not bid on little jobs like yours. They come, they fix it, you pay them for their time and travel. Find someone you trust and stick with him or her.

electricpro

he already fixed the problem. It's suppose to be a free estimation, it should not have cost me anything if he comes over and have a look. I think it's high, and also I did not get a breakdown of the price to help me understand why is it $129.

sluggermike

If you take into consideration the travel time to your home, figuring out the problem and fixing it, you got a deal.

Speedy Petey

You are complaining about someone who came to your house, fixed a mechanical problem you were having, and ONLY charged you $129 ???????
GET REAL!

First, and estimate is one thing. It is near IMPOSSIBLE to "estimate" a troubleshoot. A new install or new work is entirely different. Unless he has x-ray vision how can he tell what is behind your walls and in the boxes?

And I can imagine if this guy told you it would "probably" take an hour or two, and it took three to fix, you would likely not pay him for the third hour, would you?

Also, why the mystery? Why lie to us? If he was already there why ask what it would cost? Why not just say "Is $129 too much?" ?

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

KUIPORNG

If he tell you what is the problem... you will feel more heart broken.... somthing like... tightened up one screw.... if he already fixed the problem... do you mean you get it for free now.... or he undo the fix by loosening up the screw again because you refuse to pay...

if he tell you the problem... then you can tell him it is too expensive... then you fix it yourself as you know the problem after he left... that doesn't work either....

Mike Swearingen

If I understand this:
A. You called an electrician out to your home for a "free estimate" to solve your electrical problem.
B. While there, he actually corrected your problem and is then charging you $129 for this service call correction.
Guess what? In my opinion, you owe this electrician $129 or he can put a Mechanic's and Materialman's Lien on your property if you do not pay him. It may or may not carry penalties and interest, but it WILL be collected if you ever try to sell your property, and it will go on your credit records.
Good luck!
Mike

electricpro

First of all, let me clear the misunderstanding. I already paid the guy. Thank you very much for you concern.

electricpro

I see you have a lot of "why's". Then let me ask you this, since you are an electrical contractor, "why did he lie to me (with his action), when it is already agreed upon on the phone (with the manager probabaly) that it is a free estimation?"