Bonded/Insured electrician making me pay more

[Catherine Javier]

Good day all, asking for your expert opinion on how to deal with this situation....

We did a 1031 and bought a small SFH 720 sqft with converted garage- unpermitted (350 sqft). We have a Bonded/Insured electrician that was referred by our trusted GC (he also uses this electrician for his properties). Lots of things needed to be done: we want a subpanel for the converted garage, Some Knobs and tubes needs to be removed and rewired, put exterior light and outlet. I asked him to assess the attic so he can see knobs and tubes and he said "I think I know what I'll see there". He quoted us $10,400 We chose him because he was a referral although we asked several electricians for quotes. Initially was asking if this was negotiable as I wasnt sure if knobs and tubes were active, and he said he can lower it if its not active. Eventually I reached out saying it is active after speaking with inspector and that we'll move forward with the price he set.

Our GC is working on the crawlspace and advised us of several things: 1. There were wires hanging in the crawlspace that were unsafe and that it needs to be stapled in the joist, 2. The Subpanel that electrician installed was already used 3. was missing some parts/faceplates etc. and the front of the home didn't have power and so as the ADU.

I was upset and texted him about these things and we'll order an inspection since it looks like he is cutting corners.  By Tuesday Jul 29, he said we can order inspection and everything is settled. Electrical inspector will be available 8/9.

8/1/25 We checked the ADU, the subpanel was changed to NEW one, but more outlets in Kitchen and bathroom (all GFI) are dead. We told him about it and he said that the entire house was knobs and tubes and he will need another payment for that. At this point I dont want to hire him anymore, we paid 75% of all the fee. I talked to him on the phone and said that the quote itself says change Knobs and Tubes to cut and rewire. He is saying that the entire home is Knobs and tubes and it would cost double a lot of money, a lot of work.

I honestly do not want to pay the remaining  25% since the quote said to take care of the knobs and tubes and fix all, now he is asking for money for the kitchen. I just dont think it is fair. want to ask your opinion on how to deal with this?

He just keeps going back to the conversation we had saying "you said knobs and tubes are inactive" which I eventually said it is active after talking to the inspector and even sent him the inspection report. 

There was a contract, I have not signed it yet... Please advise.

Thanks a lot!

[Dan H.]

Quote from @Catherine Javier:

Quote from @Dan H.:

Quote from @Catherine Javier:

Good day all, asking for your expert opinion on how to deal with this situation....

We did a 1031 and bought a small SFH 720 sqft with converted garage- unpermitted (350 sqft). We have a Bonded/Insured electrician that was referred by our trusted GC (he also uses this electrician for his properties). Lots of things needed to be done: we want a subpanel for the converted garage, Some Knobs and tubes needs to be removed and rewired, put exterior light and outlet. I asked him to assess the attic so he can see knobs and tubes and he said "I think I know what I'll see there". He quoted us $10,400 We chose him because he was a referral although we asked several electricians for quotes. Initially was asking if this was negotiable as I wasnt sure if knobs and tubes were active, and he said he can lower it if its not active. Eventually I reached out saying it is active after speaking with inspector and that we'll move forward with the price he set.

Our GC is working on the crawlspace and advised us of several things: 1. There were wires hanging in the crawlspace that were unsafe and that it needs to be stapled in the joist, 2. The Subpanel that electrician installed was already used 3. was missing some parts/faceplates etc. and the front of the home didn't have power and so as the ADU.

I was upset and texted him about these things and we'll order an inspection since it looks like he is cutting corners.  By Tuesday Jul 29, he said we can order inspection and everything is settled. Electrical inspector will be available 8/9.

8/1/25 We checked the ADU, the subpanel was changed to NEW one, but more outlets in Kitchen and bathroom (all GFI) are dead. We told him about it and he said that the entire house was knobs and tubes and he will need another payment for that. At this point I dont want to hire him anymore, we paid 75% of all the fee. I talked to him on the phone and said that the quote itself says change Knobs and Tubes to cut and rewire. He is saying that the entire home is Knobs and tubes and it would cost double a lot of money, a lot of work.

I honestly do not want to pay the remaining  25% since the quote said to take care of the knobs and tubes and fix all, now he is asking for money for the kitchen. I just dont think it is fair. want to ask your opinion on how to deal with this?

He just keeps going back to the conversation we had saying "you said knobs and tubes are inactive" which I eventually said it is active after talking to the inspector and even sent him the inspection report. 

There was a contract, I have not signed it yet... Please advise.

Thanks a lot!

 I unfortunately do not always follow this one myself 100% but hopefully you got the initial quote in writing including the work to be performed.   

I am only hearing your side of the story but from the description you are correct that he should be completing the job he signed up to at the price he quoted.  

Separate from that,  1) there is no excuse to use a used subpanel without getting
permission 2) there is no reason not to properly secure hung electrical wires (on the attic floor I am ok if they are not secured) 3) that there should not be missing cover plates.   I recently replaced a vent fan and somehow ended up without the junction box cover (long story on what can go wrong when training the handyman crew).  It is minor flaw in the attic, but it is not correct.   We did a trip to unit just to replace the junction box cover so that it is done right.   

Good luck

 Thanks Dan. And yes I kept the estimate, email and text. The estimate says "Remove and rewire knob and tube wiring in the main house". From my understanding that includes that entire house. Any advise on how we can handle him? I was thinking to email him that I am not going to pay the remaining balance unless everything is corrected... then again he was asking for money for the rewiring for the bathroom and kitchen... 

 I have concerns continuing to use your electrician.  What if the GC had not inspected the attic?  It may cost extra to change electricians.   However, if the quality of the past work is an indication, it may be worth the extra cost.

definitely do not make the final  payment until all work is completed correctly.  Is this work done with a permit and associated jurisdiction inspection? Consider that a rhetorical question.   If not, maybe your GC can check the work.  Regardless do not pay the final payment until after the completed work has been inspected by someone qualified to be able to determine that the job is done correctly.  

was the retiring for the bathroom and kitchen in the original quote or did you have a scope change?   If it was in the original scope my answer applies.   If it was a scope change, you should have received a 2nd quote for the scope change.   The 2nd contract contract is separate from the 1st.  Pay on it as though it is separate work (which it would be).  Pay final payment on it only after all the work is completed correctly.  By the way try to avoid change of scope.   The price is virtually always more than if it was included in the original scope of work.


good luck