Archer Electric Service Co

I had recently bought a house. Whenever I ran the microwave, the lights would dim and sometimes the breaker would shut off. I hired specifically to look at this issue and looking at the microwave electricity was front and center in all my communications with Archer Electric. This was an over the range microwave, so I couldn't move it to another outlet. When I googled a little about it, I learned that it might be a fire risk because of the circuit turning off and lights dimming. I then looked for a reference for electricians, and one of my husband's friends who is now in real estate had recommended Archer Electric. Because the house is on a concrete slab, I specifically scheduled in the morning and scheduled during cold weather, and the crawlspace was around 70 degrees when they came in case they would have to go into it (they did not end up going into it). I also had small things that I could diy, but were tacked on time allowing (replacing a light switch, and replacing an overhead light fixture). The two electricians from Archer Electric came on time. The two electricians split up to walk around the house, which I thought was a bit creepy. Regarding the microwave, they told me that one of the lights was flickering in the overhead light in the kitchen that dimmed when I ran the microwave. They said that LED lights fail differently than incandescent lights and that I needed to change the lightbulb. They then changed the lightbulb and it stopped the lightbulb from flickering. They did not look at the outlet it was plugged into at all. I opened the cabinet and offered a step stool, and they didn't even look in the cabinet that had the electric plug and outlet for the microwave, much less look at the outlet. When I ran the microwave while they were there, the lights dimmed, but the breaker did not turn off. I told them that it sometimes did turn off. This was just before coronavirus quarantine. During quarantine, when I used the microwave, usually the breaker would shut off and I would have to go in the breaker panel multiple times in any meal prep where I used the microwave. I kept using the microwave, because Archer Electric had said it was fine to use. When I ran an extension cord to an outlet down the hall and ran it on that, the breaker wouldn't turn off (but that wasn't a feasible solution, since it was an over the stove microwave). After a few months of quarantine, the control panel of the microwave explode and shot out sparks when I turned it on and the microwave is now completely broken. From googling more, I determined that the outlet for the microwave was probably on the same circuit with too many other things. I googled and looked on forum posts I found info on how to do a demand load calculation. This is to calculate how much is on the same circuit and then calculate the maximum power that the breaker can handle. The microwave was on a 20 amp breaker. 20 amps times 120 volts (the voltage that a 120 volt outlet or light would be at) is 2400 watts, so 2400 watts would be the maximum power for the circuit that the microwave was on to carry. When I looked at what else was on the same circuit, I found that it was wired to 3 overhead lights, additionally 4 overhead lights and ceiling fan combos, and 12 outlets 3 of which were in the kitchen for small appliances, in 5 separate rooms. The microwave was 1550 watts. My understanding based on reading online and in forums is that having the circuit so overloaded is dangerous and is a fire hazard, and I have now put masking tape over all the kitchen outlets that are on the circuit. My understanding is that what Archer Electric should have done was to inspect the wiring for the microwave outlet, and then look at the circuit to see whether it was overloaded or not, then tell me the problem and give a quote to fix it. For example, a quote to add a dedicated breaker for the microwave. That is not what Archer Electric did. Instead, Archer Electric said that the problem was likely caused by one of the overhead lights flickering and that LED lights fail differently than incandescent lights. I fully believe that Archer Electric left me in danger of a fire. I did the right thing by hiring a licensed electrician, and what I got was a handy man level of skill. Archer Electric took the easy money and did not do the work that required an electrician. They also didn't warn me about the danger, and I kept using the microwave. The microwave eventually met it's demise with a small explosion. Archer Electric did do the small handyman tasks (replace a light switch that had burned out and replace an overhead light fixture). I paid about $140 for the two hour minimum. I think that I even had them write changing-the-lightbulb on the receipt. If you personally know how to complete the task, and feel comfortable doing it yourself, but wish to hire a handyman to complete it, then Archer Electric probably will work out for you. If you do not personally know how to complete the task, then you need to stay far far away from Archer Electric. Archer Electric did the handyman work and easy task, but did not do the work that required a licensed electrician. Archer Electric left me in danger of a fire, and even worse gave me a false sense of security because I had had an "electrician" look at things. It's not safe to use them for anything serious. Especially if this is housing, where people live and sleep, don't use them.

smoothly professionally

Very well, same day service, it was after 5:30 and I was not charged overtime. Mark was professional and fixed the issue in a short time.

Good quality. No problems. Price not lowest of estimates.

Work went well. Gave us a date then had to wait another day because they didn't finish the job the day before. Called to pay and we had an ad that said "Mention this ad and receive 10% off". When we mentioned the ad they said it didn't count towards the bid they gave us. No where in the ad did it say doesn't count towards bids even though you have to get a bid to get the work done.

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They came when they said they would, worked pretty quickly and did quality work. The three outlet installations were a concern to me since I saw no way to avoid cutting plaster to fish the wiring, but they managed to do everything I wanted with no new holes in the wall.  <br /> Highly recommended. <br />

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We originally called earlier in the week for the same problem; at that time, <br /> contractor came out; found that a ground fault outlet had been wired <br /> wrong. We were charged $150 amount almost 2 hours of labor; <br /> took less than an hour to resolve! <br /> In a few days we again experienced similar problem; same area house. <br />  We were charged for approximately another two hours of labor, <br />   But again actually took less than 1 hour to fix! The problem now was <br /> given as 2 outlets wiring in a room were loose due to "back-stabbing" <br />  by original builder subcontractors. <br /> That problem was NOT even explained as to what that meant! <br /> The 1st hour is apparently a flat rate which is the average going rate <br />  for 1 hour of electric work in our area; we assumed should cover <br />  up to 1 hour of labor. Wrong assumption! <br /> The second hour was tacked on to for no good reason to us; <br /> as if the 2nd hour started upon arrival. <br /> That certainly seems excessive! <br /> When we used them months before for other electrical work, <br /> All was reasonable & as expected were very good! <br /> We believe we can do better than using them again! <br />

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They were very good, the service excellent and they were on time.

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They are responsive, professional and they did a good job. I would use them again.

It was great.  They are perfect.  I have used them for several years, any time I have needed an electrician.  I don’t have any price comparisons because I haven’t used anybody else.  The quality of service is excellent. 

Excellent! <br />

They were the first ones to call me back (I called 3 companies for an estimate) and the first ones to schedule the consult.  They came when they said they would come and called w/a reminder the day before.  Manny and Eli were the team that did the job.  TOTAL PROFESSIONALS - start to finish.  On time, helped me w/the best placement for the lights, called me in before they started putting holes in the ceiling to make sure it was what I wanted and got right to work.  They even cleaned the floors before they left!! <br /> This was not a one time thing.  I've used Archer before for ceiling fan installation and to fix this weird post light we have out by the street.  Call w/confidence.  These are the electric go-to people in Gainesville.

Everything went well. He sowed up on time and finished on time.

My son was a little careless, and he left some money out.  It went missing.  I called them to let them know.  They said that it was a new person, and they weren't sure about it.  He sent me a new $50 bill.  He couldn't do anything about the $2 bill, so he just sent two $1 bills.  I thought that it was remarkable.  I just think they are wonderful.  They are courteous and prompt.  They have me in their computer.