Update! Appliance Research: Chest Freezers
March 9, 2010 – 9:48 am | Comments Off on Update! Appliance Research: Chest Freezers

The decision (and purchase) has been made! In an earlier post (“Appliance Upgrade Research: Chest Freezers”), I checked to see if the chest freezers listed on the EnergyStar site were still offered by each of the manufacturers

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NYC Contractors: Christopher John Electric & Mr. Handyman

Submitted by on December 20, 2006 – 9:51 pm2 Comments
NYC Contractors: Christopher John Electric & Mr. Handyman

For roughly the past year, I’ve had a Whirlpool  over the range microwave (GH6177XP) sitting (still boxed) in a dining room corner waiting to be installed. In the past two weeks I’ve successfully found the two “pieces” I was looking for:

  1. An Electrician with a clean BBB rating, insurance numbers that validated on the New York City Department of Consumer Affiars website, no court records of convictions (these can actually be found just using google) and recommendations (via AngiesList.com). Since the microwave recommended a dedicated circuit and I won’t go near electric, I needed a line run from the box to behind one of the counters.
  2. A Handyman or General Contractor to actually mount the microwave to the wall and reinforce (or build) any necessary supporting structures. They also have to have a clean BBB rating, verify insurance numbers and recommendations on sites like AngiesList

Electrician Used: Christopher John Electrical Inc.
christjon.com or cjohnelectrical.com
108 Frost Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Phone: (718) 389-9898

Project Tasks: They ran a dedicated line from the electrical panel (circuit panel) behind the kitchen cabinets for over the range microwave installation. They also did an addition of an electrical outlet for a basement sump pump.

Results: Before making any holes in the drywall, Ganesh opened up a nearby outlet box and discovered that the previous electrician had already run the required wire. Not only did this save on the amount of patchwork that would have normally been required for this job, but it also reduced the total bill by more than $400. Ganesh and Miguel finished both jobs and left only minor damage to the kitchen walls and some damage to the basement wall where the new electrical outlet was installed. Overall, I am happy with the service -they were on time, cleaned up, didn’t leave until the job was done, and all questions were answered. They also made sure they knew what I wanted done and the estimate reflected that. My only other comment deals with the price of the job; I did feel the estimate was on the high side of things, but then again, quality costs in this town.

Handyman/GC Used: Mr. Handyman of NE Queens
mrhandyman.com

205-07 Hillside Avenue
Hollis, NY 11423
Phone: (718) 468-0400

Project Tasks: After verifying that the wall mounted cabinets and support structures behind the wall could support the weight, mount the microwave under the cabinets and anchor the unit to the wall.

Results: Before starting work, George anchored measurement sheets to the wall and underside of the cabinets and verified that the wall and cabinets could support the weight of the microwave. As it turns out, a layer of wood exists behind the drywall presumably to strengthen the cabinet (and any appliance) installation. The entire process, from investigation to installation took about an hour and the microwave doesn’t move, rattle or shake. If I need any of the services they list on their site, I’ll be calling them back again.

2 Comments »

  • Niffly Niffingtons says:

    And a lovely microwave it is! 😀 I think they did a great job – very impressed with the work George did – everything was aligned wonderfully.

  • Walter Alexander says:

    I recently had an Energenie (energy factor optimization technology) installation in my gas/service station by Christopher John Electric, and I had a similiar experience. Ganesh outlined exactly what would be required, gave me an accurate time estimate of start and completion, cleaned up the workspace, and answered all of my questions. This was a top-notch service and it was well worth it.