Business ProfileforUnited Electric, Solar & Plumbing

In August 2020, we reached out to United Electric to get a bid on obtaining solar power at our property located at the above address. We were immediately contacted by J**** from United Electric about our possible solar needs. Subsequently, an appointment was set up and a sight visit was initiated. J**** as the representative of United Electric, brought with him a young man in training for the visit and we related our needs and then toured the property to give J**** and his associate a more comprehensive understanding of the scale of the project. Initially, our goal was to acquire solar to cut the cost on running five different electrical meters on the property, including the main house on the property for which there are two homes. In fleshing out the project and digging down into the possible scalable needs in the future, it was decided to pursue a more comprehensive and overarching approach to the system that would facilitate solar generation for not only the two homes, but also scaling it to generate enough solar energy to put back into the grid to offset the water well pump cost that we would eventually be used for agricultural concerns on the property. Additionally, part of the project included repair of the roof and skylights and two new generators that would act as back-up at the two residences in case of power outages that often occur. After all details were worked out, the contract was signed in late September or early October and two loans were secured to fund the project of approximately $120,000.00. In the month that followed, we did not hear anything from United Electric or J**** in regards to the job, so I made the telephone call to J**** asking "What's Up?". We were starting to get into the colder se**** and we live in what I would call a micro-climate at the base of the Tapa Tapa's and at an elevation of 2000 foot. Our weather was more in the extremes in regards to temperatures and rainfall fluctuations, so I was concerned about having the roof under construction and the possibility of rain or possibly snow. I explained this to J**** for which I did get from him some degree of understanding, J**** assured me that he would get things scheduled. The roofer *** started on the roof in early to mid-November. In the process *** and his crew removed all concrete tiles, made necessary repairs, laid down new underlayment, put in new trim boards over the underlayment, positioned the anchors for the eight panel solar array that was to be placed on the roof and then started to re-roof the house, It was at this time that we inquired about the installation of the new skylights and it was conveyed to us by both *** and J**** that the new skylights would be installed after the roof was complete retiled by *** and that United Electric would be doing the installation so the matter we felt was handled, In the process of re-roofing, it was understood that certain tiles be cut in-order for the channels to be clear and free of debris as the result of storms and wind. *** and his crew completed the job, but there was some issue with United Electric paying him completely although the details are not clear, During the re-roofing process, *** and his crew misplaced nails through the tiles and underlayment and drove them into the interior tung and groove that makes up the interior ceiling of the A-frame ceiling. When alerted to this situation, *** pounded the nails back through and marred the interior wood, This situation naturally eroded our confidence in *** and his crew, The new roof solar array was installed after this along with its supporting equipment on the side of the house and an LG battery for backup in case of power outages. United Electric did the installation and the array started producing electricity in January 2021, and in fact we started to monitor the energy that was being produced and put back into the power grid, After the solar array on the house was installed, we started to get a couple of small rain storms that produced leaks in the roof that was newly reroofed. One leak was from a broken tile in mounting of the solar array, another was from leaks in the improper sealing of the chimney flashing and we continued to get leaks from the old skylights, because the new skylights were never ordered and never installed because J**** did not want to spend the money. Each time we encountered leaks, we would text J**** and he would in turn dispatch *** to fix them. Now at this time, it is important to note that last winter was very mild in regards to rainfall and was not a true test of how much rain we get in a normal year, in fact in March of 2021 we had snow, After waiting several months, the generator for the house along with the new electrical panel was installed on the detached garage. With only one generator showing up, we inquired with J**** as to the status on the generator for the minor house that our daughter and her family occupy. It was conveyed to us that because, the uninstalled generator was a smaller unit, the company was only making the larger units due to supply chain issues and was on back order. I suspect that J**** did not want to put out the money because the project was taking longer than anticipated and by this time, we had only given permission for MosaiC, the loan company, to release the smaller loan to United Electric because J**** begged us too due so. We continued to inquire about the generator until it was installed in May 2021. Additionally, we continued to inquire about the skylights that were never installed and we continued to get the run around from J**** who said that he was working on it for the ensuing months. Next came the ground mount solar array up by our agricultural building. If our recollection is correct, this aspect of our project started in February. This particular portion of the project went relatively smooth and we started putting electrical output back in the seE grid in March as we continued to monitor the solar output on our cell phone apps. Suffice to say, when we had goods days for production, we were producing 3 times the average household usage and only using the well pumps twice a week for approximately 2 to 3 hours to detract from that total production of energy. After the installation of the ground mount unit, our focus shifted to inquiry of the "Net Metering Agreement" between us and Southern California Edison. It was our understanding and representation by J**** of United Electric that once we were up and producing energy application could be made to Southern California Edison for credit and year end rebate checks. Through a slew of administrative missteps and inept follow through on the part of United Electric and J**** such as the request for SCE statements multiple times, non-existent rental agreements because someone from United Electric told the administration staff that we were renters when in fact, Carla owns 99% of the property and the other residents are the renters. the wrong primary owners name on the application along with multiple personnel changes at United Electric, the net metering agreement was accepted only in December 2021, 14 months after the project had started and 11 months after we first when on-line producing energy. It is also worth noting during the course of these missteps and delays by United Electric, we feel seE has now changed their programs regarding net metering, we are now only allowed credit from the energy we produce and that is zeroed out year end. If we are mistaken in this assessment. we are open to correction. We will not receive any rebate checks at the end of the year as well, thus costing us thousands of dollars over the course of a year and tens of thousands of dollars over the course of the solar systems life after being misrepresented by J****. Additionally, not only did we lose those benefits, we also lost all credit for energy produced over the course of the last 11 months and counting. Additionally we are counting on the rebate checks to offset the cost of the complete system. ~005/007 The next situation that came up in May and June of 2021, had to do with the installation of the second generator. Due to the backorder of the smaller unit, United Electric and J**** took it upon themselves to install a larger unit similar to the size installed at the primary residence. Due to a lack of supervision by superiors at United Electric a pave red walk way was torn up to accommodate the conduit from the generating unit to the electrical panel. Then that path was abandoned and a ditch was left with rocks and debris left. The conduit was attached to the eves of the house, but earth was moved, rocks taken out and our older tenant had to personally grade and replace the area for walking on, In installing the larger generator that uses more propane, J**** thought he could sneak one by us by upgrading the second generator and just only fixing the skylights on the primary residence, When we were alerted to this development that was going on to repair the skylights instead of replacing them, we shut them down and made an emphatic call to J**** making clear our position, for which he requested that we sign a change order releasing United Electric of the responsibility. we refused to Sign. To date and after multiple calls, texts and emails, we have not received any date from J**** about the installation of the new skylights and doubt we will without involving third parties. Next came trying to get our $10,000 rebate for the battery back-up from the State of California, for which we did not see any issues with until we were informed by United Electric that a medical condition would have to be used in order to secure and initiate the process because the state ran out of money for the regular rebate, I had no idea until this time that an amended rebate could be applied for and it appeared. This again took us by surprise and another hurdle that needed to be overcome. The last straw was coming back from a trip to Texas after visiting our daughter that had just given birth. There were even more leaks in the roof that affected the interior of the house. We have documented the damage with pictures forwarded to J****. We asked J**** that the prior roofer not be dispatched as we suspect that he is unlicensed as a roofing contractor and J**** to date has not supplied this information to us nor I suspect he will until third party authorities are involved. J**** assured us that he would dispatch a roofing contractor and at present we have an appointment set for January 12th at 3:00 pm, however we do not know if the new roofing contractor will address the skylights that need to be installed prior to the roof tiles and new underlayment going down. Thus far, the leaks are very prevalent and affect the following; #1 The flooring on the second floor #2 A computer printer #3 A pair of expensive leather boots #4 A Macbook pro computer #5 Bedding on the first floor #6 A flat screen 44 inch tv and a smaller flat screen monitor #7 An antique dining room table made by Monterey #8 Leather love seat #9 First floor flooring #10 The tuonge and groove that make up the foundation of the roofing The main concern aside from the items listed above, is now that the leaks are so prevalent, with the new underlayment that was install last year, we now are in the position of fostering dry rot over the whole roofing subsystem which does not show up immediately but months and years later. In conclusion, J**** represented himself and United Electric initally as professional in all aspects of this project but woefully fell short. We would like this matter investigated and resolved but feel United Electric cannot and will not fulfill its obligations to their word or contract.