Compare Local Pros
Duarte Electric vs Oldtown Electric
Sacramento Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Duarte Electric brings 18 years of licensed experience compared to Oldtown Electric's 3 years, a significant difference for complex electrical troubleshooting.
| Duarte Electric | Oldtown Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.3 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 18 years | 3 years |
| License # | 902761 | 1099728 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Elk Grove, CA | Citrus Heights, CA |
| Website | usmapiz.org | www.oldtownelectricinc.net |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Duarte Electric
Customers emphasize Duarte Electric's rapid emergency response and availability during urgent situations, including after-hours and weekend calls.
Oldtown Electric
Customers consistently highlight Oldtown Electric's clear communication practices and thorough explanations throughout the service process.
Key Takeaway: Duarte Electric receives praise for saving customers during emergencies when others weren't available, while Oldtown Electric earns recognition for educational approach and ensuring customer understanding of completed work.
Customer Reviews
Duarte Electric
Ernie and his team did a fantastic job installing my fast charger. Very professional, polite and do great work. Highly recommend.
Used this company for a second time. Same result. Professional, thorough, great price. My first time with this company. I will definitely call them first in the future. Knowledgeable and a fair ...
Helped with an issue with the GFI for our bathroom outlets. He resolved over the phone and saved us a visit that would have cost us. Excellent!
Oldtown Electric
Old Town Electric did a fabulous job running power 400 feet from the service to our barn, installing a subpanel, 30 overhead lights in our covered arena and barn, light switches and plugs throughout,...
I am completely happy with Old Town Electric's service. Not only did they provide a competitive quote for my EV charger installation, they walked me through the app setup and explained the work they ...
Courteous and speedy, got the job done explained the issue well.
Consider Duarte Electric if...
- ✓ Your project involves electrical emergencies or you need confirmed after-hours availability, as Duarte Electric has demonstrated weekend and emergency response capabilities that saved customers during urgent situations.
- ✓ Your home was built before 2000 and may contain outdated wiring systems that require experienced diagnosis to identify safety concerns beyond the obvious problem.
- ✓ You value speed over extensive project communication, as the company's strength is rapid response rather than detailed walkthroughs.
- ✓ You're willing to follow up on permit status yourself, given some customers reported needing to prompt administrative tasks.
Consider Oldtown Electric if...
- ✓ You want detailed explanations of electrical issues and options throughout the project, as customers consistently mention technicians taking time to ensure understanding.
- ✓ Your electrical work is relatively straightforward with clear scope, where a growing contractor's lower overhead may translate to competitive pricing without sacrificing quality.
- ✓ You prefer a contractor who excels at communication and project updates, which appears to be a consistent operational strength.
- ✓ Clean worksite practices matter significantly to you, as multiple customers specifically mentioned thorough cleanup after job completion.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Duarte Electric about their permit filing process and timeline, and whether they provide tracking information so you can verify inspection completion.
- → Ask Oldtown Electric for references from projects involving older homes or unexpected complications to understand how they handle situations outside their shorter experience base.
- → Confirm scheduling practices with both companies, particularly whether they provide arrival confirmations and how they handle schedule changes.
The Bottom Line
For complex troubleshooting, older homes with potential hidden issues, or situations requiring emergency after-hours service, Duarte Electric's 18 years of experience provides meaningful advantages despite some administrative concerns. For straightforward residential electrical work where clear communication and thorough explanations matter most, Oldtown Electric delivers professional service at 3 years of operation. If your project involves an older home or uncertain scope, the experience gap favors Duarte—just insist on written confirmation of permit filing and inspection schedules. For newer homes with defined projects, Oldtown Electric's communication strengths and clean work practices make them a solid choice at potentially better pricing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward EV charger installations in newer homes with sufficient panel capacity, the experience gap matters less. However, if your installation requires panel upgrades, running new circuits through finished walls, or evaluating whether your existing electrical service can handle the additional load, 18 years of experience provides significantly more problem-solving capability. Older homes frequently present unexpected challenges during what appears to be simple installations.
Several reviews specifically mention Duarte Electric responding to weekend emergencies and after-hours calls when other contractors were unavailable. This suggests the company prioritizes emergency availability as part of their service model, which can be critical during electrical failures. Ask directly about their emergency response policy and any after-hours fees if this availability matters to your situation.
Three years of licensed operation means Oldtown Electric has completed hundreds of projects and maintains the same insurance and bonding standards as longer-established contractors. Customer feedback shows successful completion of complex projects like panel replacements and subpanel installations. The risk is primarily in situations requiring extensive diagnostic experience with legacy electrical systems, not in their ability to execute standard residential electrical work competently.
Permit issues create real liability for homeowners, as unpermitted electrical work can complicate home sales and insurance claims. However, this appeared in only a few reviews rather than as a widespread pattern. Ask Duarte Electric directly about their permit process, who files paperwork, and whether they provide documentation of inspection completion. Request this in writing before starting work.
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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 12, 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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