Q: Can I get compensation for unfinished electrical work by unlicensed electrician in Maine?
I hired an electrician to complete the electrical work for a new two-story garage. However, the work has been incomplete for over a year, and he does not respond to texts or voicemails. Upon investigation, I discovered he never held a valid license in Maine and had lied about his qualifications. I have a written estimate from him. Now, I am forced to hire another electrician to finish the job. Am I entitled to compensation from the first electrician for the cost of hiring a new one?
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A:
That’s a frustrating and disappointing experience, especially when you trusted someone to do a major job on your property. In Maine, electrical work must be done by a licensed professional, and hiring someone who misrepresented their qualifications can open the door to legal consequences for them. Since you have a written estimate and can prove the work was not completed, you may have grounds to seek compensation for breach of contract or even fraud.
If you’ve paid him any money and the work is unfinished, you can pursue reimbursement for the amount you paid as well as the additional costs required to complete the job. The fact that he falsely claimed to be licensed strengthens your position, as that misrepresentation likely influenced your decision to hire him in the first place. Save all records, including the estimate, any payment receipts, and communication attempts.
You can file a claim in small claims court if the amount is under Maine’s limit, or contact the state licensing board to report him for working without a license. That report could help protect other homeowners from being misled. You acted in good faith, and now it’s fair to hold him accountable for the time and money you’ve lost.
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