Compare Local Pros
High West Electric vs Magic Sun Electric
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Magic Sun Electric brings 16 years of experience and workers compensation coverage versus High West Electric's 2 years without workers comp insurance.
| High West Electric | Magic Sun Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.3 |
| Years Licensed | 2 years | 16 years |
| License # | 1121457 | 950165 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Rocklin, CA | Loomis, CA |
| Website | www.highwest-electric.com | www.magicsunelectric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
High West Electric
High West Electric customers consistently praise thorough communication, educational project explanations, and transparent pricing discussions that help homeowners understand scope before work begins.
Magic Sun Electric
Magic Sun Electric customers emphasize accessibility with live phone answering, quick scheduling including same-day availability, and competitive pricing that often undercuts other contractors.
Key Takeaway: High West Electric earns feedback for teaching customers about their electrical systems, while Magic Sun Electric's reviews focus on availability and getting the job done quickly when other contractors were booked out.
Customer Reviews
High West Electric
We recently had Mike come out to help with some electrical issues, and I couldn't be happier with the service. He was on time, friendly, snd well equipped. He took the time to explain what the problem...
Mike of High West Electric is incredible. He replaced the breaker box in my mobile homes wiring. Very trustworthy, great customer service and overall genuine guy and company. I'll highly recommend to ...
Mike went above and beyond to help me with my electrical needs. Communication was great and they very clearly laid out the plans and scope of the work. Very fair on price compared to other options we ...
Magic Sun Electric
I needed an outdoor GFCI outlet installed so I could power an exterior security camera. My place in North Sacramento is quite old-original 110-volt wiring with a fuse box, plus a 220-volt junction box...
I called three local electricians and all said they were too busy. Called Chad at Magic Sun and he had a repairman out in hours. Really good people and fair prices.
Top notch contractor experience with Magic Sun Electrical. Had new LED shop lights and two new outlets installed in my garage. My first call to Magic Sun was answered by a live person and I had an ins...
Consider High West Electric if...
- ✓ You have straightforward electrical work like adding outlets, installing fixtures, or replacing panels in newer construction where the project scope is clear and unlikely to reveal hidden complications
- ✓ You value detailed upfront communication and educational explanations of electrical issues, and customer feedback suggests High West Electric excels at walking homeowners through project plans
- ✓ You're willing to verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accept the associated risk to work with a newer contractor building their reputation
- ✓ Your project timeline is flexible enough to accommodate a contractor who may encounter learning curves on less common issues
Consider Magic Sun Electric if...
- ✓ Your home has older electrical systems, aluminum wiring, or potential code violations where 16 years of troubleshooting experience becomes invaluable for diagnosing hidden problems
- ✓ You need to minimize liability risk and want the protection of working with a contractor carrying workers compensation insurance
- ✓ Quick availability matters—Magic Sun Electric customers report live phone answering and same-day service when other contractors were booked out
- ✓ You're comparing multiple bids and want competitive pricing; several reviews mention Magic Sun Electric's quotes coming in substantially lower than competitors for equivalent work
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask High West Electric specifically about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether contractor injuries are covered under your policy, and what your deductible and exposure would be
- → Ask High West Electric for references from projects similar in scope and complexity to yours, particularly if your home is older or the electrical system has known issues
- → Ask Magic Sun Electric about their typical crew composition and how long their electricians have been with the company, given the 16-year business history
- → Ask both contractors about their experience with your specific project type and any complications they've encountered with similar work in homes of your age and construction style
The Bottom Line
Magic Sun Electric is the safer choice for most homeowners this week. The combination of 16 years of experience, workers compensation insurance, competitive pricing, and quick availability addresses the key concerns most people have when hiring an electrician. The experience gap matters particularly if your home is older or you're dealing with troubleshooting rather than straightforward installations. High West Electric could work for simple projects in newer homes if you're comfortable with the workers comp liability and verify your insurance coverage, and their communication style clearly resonates with customers. But unless you have specific reasons to prioritize their approach, Magic Sun Electric offers more protection and capability for similar or potentially lower cost.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward work in newer homes with clear project scope, the gap matters less. But for older homes, troubleshooting mysterious issues, or projects that might reveal code violations or hidden damage, 16 years means Magic Sun Electric has likely encountered your specific problem multiple times before. Experience helps contractors diagnose issues faster and avoid costly trial-and-error approaches that newer contractors may need.
If an electrician is seriously injured at your home, your homeowner's insurance becomes the primary coverage for medical bills and lost wages, which could be substantial. This could affect your insurance rates long-term and potentially expose you to lawsuits if injuries exceed your policy limits. Many homeowners don't realize they're assuming this risk until an incident occurs.
It depends on your project complexity and risk tolerance. High West Electric's communication strengths are valuable and customers clearly appreciate the educational approach. But communication style doesn't replace pattern recognition from 14 additional years of diagnosing electrical problems. If your project is straightforward and you've verified insurance coverage, their transparency might be worth the tradeoff.
Multiple customers report significantly lower quotes without complaints about cut corners or quality issues, suggesting efficiency rather than corner-cutting. Veteran contractors often work faster and waste less material than newer ones, allowing lower bids while maintaining profitability. The 16-year track record and proper insurance coverage indicate an established business, not a fly-by-night operation.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Placer.
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How We Compare Contractors
License Verification
All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.
Review Analysis
Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.
Detailed Comparison
We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.
Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
- Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
- Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
- Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
- Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.
Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.
Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 13, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
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