My MIL paid a family friend $2,500 to replace her utility pole and box. He never reconnected the power to her enclosed back porch which houses her washer, dryer and freezer. The separate hot water heater for the shower was also never connected. When we contact him (through text) he states that he hooked up what he could and he’s not coming back out to do anything else unless he gets paid an additional fee. My mother in law is almost 80 and this is very upsetting to her. What can we do ?
Sounds like she either needs to contact the power company or an electrician to get it all hooked up. That's why you hire professionals, not "some guy."
If he's a licensed electrician, I would ask him how much the charge will be to finish hooking up everything. Get it in writing what you want him to do and do not pay him until the work is finished.
Consider getting an estimate from another licensed electrician.
I would take this as a warning, and now hire someone responsible to check for safety issues.
Did the work pass inspection?
You might try Jimmy Carter's home improvement group, Habitat for Humanity. Another option is to get a local tv newscaster involved. Bad publicity could ruin the guy who did the work, but it's also taking a big chance b/c your MIL's capability to make decisions such as contracting could be called into play.
Another option is to locate companies that specialize in treating elders. When I went to the Area Agency on Aging expos, I collected literature from a variety of companies that catered to seniors.
Were the disconnects made by this individual in order to make the improvements? If so, I'm surprised that he'd refuse to reconnect; obviously the appliances aren't functional if they're upgraded or improved but not connected.
It's sickening!
They will help you get this sorted out, whether he is licensed or not.
In AZ if you are not licensed and take a job over 600.00, you have broken the law. You must be licensed to do any electrical work, it is the law, if you aren't licensed, you have broken the law. I would think this is the case, except he said he would for more money, get that in writing.
Hopefully, Florida has a good ROC and this will be the simple solution.
If he hasn't done anything wrong, this complaint won't effect his license or bond. The ROC is there to protect the consumer from unethical contractors or handymen. Use them.