It is with great sadness that I submit this report. I've known Mr. Kovacs for eight years. He has completed various little projects around my home and earned my respect and trust. It is within this context that I did not expect to be a victim of his deception.
Mr. Kovacs was hired to install a new 200 amp service (see attached agreement). The cost of the project was $2400 ($1600 down payment and $800 on completion of the job.) He received $1600 on 4/15/2017 and did not return to do the work until 7/31/2018.
He stated the power company did not provide a date until this date which I believed him. I believed Mr. Kovacs was a man of integrity so I did not remain at home to watch the work. When he told my daughter the job was complete she paid him the remaining $800.00 plus $140.00 for installation of two exterior weather outlets in cash.
The exterior outlets were added on and not part of the original agreement. He did not have his receipt book and said he would drop by the receipt the next day. Days turned into weeks and I never received my receipt after many promises he would bring the receipt.
After several phone calls and left voicemail messages, I asked my neighbor if he had seen Mr. Kovacs. I explained why I was looking for him and my neighbor intervened to acquire the receipt and he told them he was "never paid" so why would he give a receipt. I couldn't believe it. Someone would blatantly lie so proudly. I became suspicious at this point and contacted Central Hudson Power Company.
The work paid for was never performed as agreed in the contract. According to Central Hudson Power and Gas, he had not filed any permits to perform the job and had illegally tampered with the meter in which I was liable.
I had to hire a licensed electrician to perform the job and file the appropriate permits with the power company to mitigate my liability. Upon inspection of the work performed by Kovacs Contracting by the Electrical Inspector, I was informed the service was never upgraded.
He only installed a larger breaker box and went as far as to change the 100 amp to read 200 amp by etching the 1 to a 2 (see attached photos). A new weather head and wires were never installed much less lightening rods as stated.
The exterior outlets were installed using Romex cable without a conduit which violates the electrical code. Eugene Kovacs of Kovacs Contracting in Milton, NY is dishonest, has no integrity and poor business practices. Buyer beware.