When your garage door won’t open and your day grinds to a halt, the temptation to call the first available pro is real. But as one Atlanta woman learned the hard way, a quick fix can sometimes spark a bigger problem—literally.

A Garage Door, a Mysterious Switch, and a $780 Repair

Barbara Manson did what many of us would do when something breaks around the house: she reached for her phone and searched for a local electrician. Her garage door had been acting up, refusing to open or close properly. Within minutes, she found someone who promised to arrive within the hour.

That speed came with a price. The electrician charged her $780 to make the repair—an amount Barbara initially accepted without question. But after she handed over the check, things took a strange turn. The technician pointed to one of the light switches in her garage, now covered in electrical tape, and warned her not to touch it.

Take it from a legitimate electrician: "If someone says ‘I’m going to put tape over it and we’re good to go’ — that’s not good." (Source: Dall-E)

That cryptic instruction raised red flags for Barbara’s son, Carl, who called the electrician the next morning. He didn’t even get through the full sentence—mentioning his mother’s name was enough to prompt the man to hang up.

Behind the Tape: A Dangerous and Expensive Hack Job

Barbara and Carl turned to TrustDALE, where Dale Cardwell and his team connected them with one of their certified partners: RS Andrews, a reputable Atlanta-based electrical service company.

What RS Andrews found was both simple and alarming. The original electrician had replaced a circuit breaker in Barbara’s panel—but with the wrong brand. Not only was the switch incompatible, but the problem it was meant to fix hadn’t actually gone away. The taped-over light switch? It was still tripping the breaker because the underlying issue was unresolved.

As RS Andrews put it: 

"If someone says ‘I’m going to put tape over it and we’re good to go’ — that’s not good."

Worse yet, the price Barbara paid was wildly inflated. RS Andrews estimated that a proper repair should’ve cost between $350 and $400—half of what she was charged.

The Fix, The Refund, and the Lesson

RS Andrews quickly replaced the incorrect breaker with the right, safe model. Then, with a little pressure from the TrustDALE team, the original electrician agreed to refund $390 to Barbara.

That refund didn’t just soften the financial blow—it cemented a valuable lesson.

“The first person who shows up wanting the job isn’t always your best choice,” Dale Cardwell said. “Do your research before you hire someone.”

Barbara agrees. 

So, What Can You Learn From Barbara’s Experience?

Hiring the wrong contractor isn’t just an inconvenience—it can be dangerous. Here are a few takeaways to keep your home and wallet safe:

  • Don’t rush to hire. It’s easy to panic when something breaks, but take a moment to research reviews, credentials, and certifications.
  • Beware of vague instructions. If a technician tells you not to use something they’ve just repaired—or tapes over a switch—that’s a serious red flag.
  • Always ask for itemized estimates. This helps you evaluate whether the quoted price is fair and reasonable.
  • When in doubt, get a second opinion. It could save you hundreds—and ensure your safety.

And here’s the kicker: When you choose a TrustDALE Certified Partner, you’re backed by a $10,000 Make-It-Right™ Guarantee. That’s more than peace of mind—it’s real protection.

Trust, But Verify

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience often trumps caution. But as Barbara Manson’s story shows, a little research can go a long way. Before hiring any contractor, make sure they’re licensed, vetted, and truly qualified for the job. Your safety—and your bank account—may depend on it.

Want to skip the stress and hire someone you know you can trust? Visit TrustDALE.com to find certified, consumer-approved professionals across metro Atlanta.

Because peace of mind shouldn’t cost $780.