Here's what I'd do: I would pull out my written agreement from the contractor immediately and point out to him where it clearly states exactly what I wanted and how what he put in is not the same thing. If my written agreement did not clearly state exactly what I wanted, I'd not pay another dime to him without an amendment or addendum to the written agreement I had. It is my responsibility to communicate to the contractor exactly what I want and what I'm paying for it. I might think it was the contractor's responsibility, but since he's not paying the bill, I'll take that to ensure my satisfaction.

I'd send a second copy to the Attorney General of my state and cite this on the original letter.

We also have a "watchdog" feature in local newspaper, if I needed to publicize the problem in a different way, should all other options not work out.

Be sure to include a pamphlet showing Solatube's product features in your letter.

I've reread this a couple of times and I'm going to say I'm not sure there is an issue yet unless I'm reading it wrong.

None of them have been installed yet, right? So it's just a matter of letting them know that the opened product looks cheesey and you want to make sure it's going to look good installed. So have one set completed to see if it's going to look good.

There may well be other pieces that are going to be added at time of install such as the bracket. The actual item doesn't seem all the different, just incomplete.

It seems like you might just be jumping the gun.

From what you describe, the subcontractor who installed the Tru-Lite tubes is not your regular electrician, right? I'd get my electrician in there pronto to take a look - have him speak to the GC or his sub to find out exactly what they were thinking.

I think it would be best in this scenario to have your electrician intervene, since he's the one supposed to figure out the installation. That way a direct answer will be forthcoming, rather than the tube installer continuing to defer the issue when you ask. (The electrician saying "You got the wrong part, this is a table lamp kit and I need a Model Y78-9a Tubular Transmogrifier with atomic flanges -- please provide it or explain why you didn't" will carry more weight than the homeowner saying "This piece here doesn't look quite right to me ..", ya know?)

Good luck!

Ok, I was not clear enough for everyone. I can see that now. Here's the skinny.

The installer is a skylight company. The electrician ran the lines and installed the junction boxes to the vicinity of the solar tubes way before the installer was here. The tubes and lights HAVE been installed. That lamp bases, with switches (aren't they pretty), were in my ceiling inside the tube fixtures until my hubby took them out because we feel they are unacceptable.

These fixtures are NOT Solatube brand products. The Solatube product photo is a comparable product. It was the "type" of product that we described and showed to the GC when we were asking about having these done. The fixtures we got are a strictly solar only tube fixture made by a company called TruLite. The installer made his own "add on kits" from lamp base parts he purchased at the hardware store. The electrician thought they were crap too. You could tell by the look on his face.

It's not really an issue of contract that I am asking about here. What I really wanted to know is if I am the only person that sees a significant difference in the quality of the product that was provided. I see a large discrepancy between a UL approved add-on type accessory kit created by a solar/skylight/lighting manufacturer and a home made, parts from the hardware store, science fair sort of assemblage created by the installer to save a few bucks.

Is it just me? Would you be happy if you opened the light in your ceiling after installation to put in a light bulb and this is what YOU found? That's what I am asking folks here. I guess I just want to know if anyone thinks I am overreacting here.

Sorry I don't have a picture of how that lovely switched lamp base was hanging out of the shiny tube in no particular direction but like I said, my hubby was not happy so he already scrapped the table lamp kits out. They are currently on our kitchen counter waiting to go back where they came from.

I think I would need to see it installed in order to pass judgement. That, and how much was charged for it.

My second question would be for the electrician: would this pass code? Was the installer going to hard-wire this into the electrical box? Or was he going to use a plug? My guess would be that it would not pass since neither the socket nor the wiring would be correct for this use.

Thinking more about it, I think I would have said something like "WTF!", torn it out and then gone to the store a bought something better and put it in myself.

Weedmeister,

That's EXACTLY what my hubby said. That's why they are currently laying on the counter waiting to go back. They ends of the lamp cord were to be wire nutted to the lines in the junction box.

I should have taken pics before darling hubby got to it. He's just a go getter and once he took one look they were coming OUT.

Don't know what the lighting part came to in terms of what fraction of the total install and materials was the "add on lighting kit". As I said, I haven't seen an itemized bill yet.

Will the Solatube bulb addons possibly work on these Tru-Lite tubes? If so, demand that they be purchased and installed. If not, I'm afraid it sounds like you might have to push the issue and get them to take these out and install the Solatubes plus addons you originally asked for.

Those lamp kits cost around $1.79 each, as I'm sure you're aware. Definitely a case of very poor judgment on the part of the sub/GC. That can't seriously be up to code.

Article 400.8 USES NOT PERMITTED. Unless specifically permitted in 400.7, flexible cords an d cables shall not be used for the following:
(1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure
(2) Where run through doorways, windows, or similar openings
(5) Where concealed by walls, floors, or ceilings or located above suspended or dropped ceilings.

doggone - Tell your GC that the Building Inspector must approve the installation before you will pay. Be there when the inspector is on site to check it off, and be sure to point out that there is no UL rating for this use. I can't imagine that you could get a final electrical approval with this hokey configuration in place.

Have you checked with Solatube to see of their light kit is compatible with Tru-Lite? Might be worth a visit.

Good luck!

Refuse to pay anything for the not code compliant, not manufacturer's kit, and generally bogus lighting. As in, $ zero.

Tell your contractor you are going through all of his bills, past and future, with a fine tooth comb to see how many other frauds like this he has slipped by you. He can start by providing the originals of all receipts for materials purchased for the job.

In general, I think you should now make the relationship with your contractor very unpleasant.

AH.

Okay. I'm with ya now. Yah, I'd bring it up with the electrician. I thought that was just the little kit that came with them! DOH.

Some mornings it doesn't really pay to get out of bed.

That's why I wait until noon.