[HayZee518]

you have every right to complain. any power co can make suggestions for a contractor but YOU have the last word! It is NOT right for the power company to order a certain contractor to wire your place. What's probably happened is that the power company is involved in a turnkey operation with the contractor. the power co gets a kickback on what the contractor makes. YOU CANNOT, SHOULD NOT MIX 14 GA AND 12 GA WIRES! You may be looking at another fire hazard by intermixing wires of smaller gauges. Old wiring in your attic floor is called knob n tube wiring. By code any place you have a splice you are supposed to have a box, metal or plastic with a cover. you are NOT permitted to make ANY open splices in ANY line. If "your" contractor did this, he is in violation of the NEC and any fire code.