First off, is it indeed fuses or circuit breakers?
what kind of corrosion and on what type and size of wire?
what did he say wasn't exactly grounded?
did he give you a detailed list of the work that he said needed to be done that you can post?

Dump this guy, he's a telemarketer. Older houses frequently have ungrounded circuits.

Dump this guy, he's a telemarketer. Older houses frequently have ungrounded circuits.

Agree. A good electrician doesn't need to drum up extra business or have yearly service contract.

Hexus - Here is what he wrote: "Main panel has no main breaker, main lug (?) on left side of panel has corrosion @ lug and buss(?) bar. No ground rods, did have ground wire coming out of box possible to water lines, ceiling concealed (it)...." I am not sure I read some words correctly. He also noted that I had "GFCI rec in house or elsewhere, and that I had no smoke alarms except battery operated."
Thanks to Hendricus and Joed for your input. I was suspicious when he said he could start fixing some of this stuff today; kind of like the old "this is happening too fast"....

It's hard to say on the basis of those list exerpts whether the main panel or grounding system are serious problems or not. It's entirely possible that your house could do with some electrical maintenance work, but I sure wouldn't go with that guy.

Agreeing with Hendricus about older houses often having ungrounded circuits, here's another good tip-off (IMO) that he was mostly trying to pump his sales: Most older houses have battery powered smoke detectors and, as long as you pay some attention to testing them and replacing the batteries periodically, there's nothing wrong with that. Code requirements for hard-wired smoke detectors are fairly recent and apply to new construction (i.e., your house should be grandfathered).

You mentioned that "they had a service charge, which included inspecting the electrical system...". If that was not disclosed to you beforehand and you did not agree to it, that's an unethical business practice as well and it's not enforceable or collectible in many jurisdictions (depends on state law). If it was part of the work agreement, though, that's another matter.

Funny, that, because there are scads of contractors out there quite eager to do free inspections. Heh, wonder why?

Yep, it sure sounds like this guy was trying to churn business.

dump this guy . .and ask all of your friends for a reference ( a highly valued source of my clients )
. . .go through the chain , ask your plumber if he knows an honest Sparky . .etc etc

I have a 5 ton truck..it has an high 5 digit inventory
I upkeep so that I can complete what you NEEDED accomplished first time there . .without driving about looking for what I need . . .fuel is 4 bucks a gallon

yes I get a trip charge based on miles to your location,..it is an seriuosly expensive business to be in
and I simply MUST cover each and every cost...period!

when I get there I am concerned FIRST with accomplishing what YOU called me for . .when that is accomplished to my satisfaction and yours . . .I certainly would offer your electrical main components a once over then or anytime you like ( my pleasure to do so..but there will be a trip charge). .and my first recommendations will always be anything directly related to ANY safety problems I find . .and give you my recommendations

perhaps some companies have so many customers . .their concerns are no longer important
personally I need my customers a hell of a lot more than they need me . .there are other good electricians out there

Friend..if you do NOT at the moment..believe you have an safety situation . .KEEP LOOKING FOR A HONEST MAN

we are out there . .and you'll find one in your area
. .just keep looking

just a note..

FWIW, I have no prob' whatsoever with paying a service charge to cover travel time and expenses--especially for small jobs. That's entirely fair and reasonable. The best practice, natch, is to inform the customer up-front.

It's paying for a mandatory inspection that raised my eyebrow and I probably should have made that clearer. If the guy showed up and only then sprung that condition, it sucks, IMO.

Your practices sound straightforward and fair to me, 'Smurf!

Our previous house had no main breaker, to shut off all the power to the box you would have to pull the meter.

Ground rod? don't remember seeing any.

GFCI? never heard of them.

Mechanical, windup, smoke alarms till I put a couple of battery ones in.

House was still up to code because only the code in effect at build or remodel time is applicable.

Hendricus, I do have an older home (circa 1946) that passed inspection from a licensed inspector eleven years ago when I bought the house. It's possible that I do need some work, as others suggested, and this time I will ASK AROUND from people I trust. Unfortunately I was in a hurry this time and just went to the phone book.
As for the inspection, to be fair, they told me on the phone that there would be a "service charge" that would include a home inspection. I figured the charge was the usual one for someone arriving and ringing the doorbell, which was okay, and thought the inspection would be fine, too. However, I think it was a way for them to drum up extra business, and I didn't appreciate the sell-a-thon. I could pretty much see it for what it was; I may have been born in the afternoon, but it wasn't yesterday afternoon!
Thanks to all so much for your advice and input; you really helped.