Compare Local Pros
Nelson Electric vs Oldtown Electric
Sacramento Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Nelson Electric brings 19 years of licensed experience versus Oldtown Electric's 3 years, a significant difference for complex electrical projects.
| Nelson Electric | Oldtown Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 19 years | 3 years |
| License # | 895538 | 1099728 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Wilton, CA | Citrus Heights, CA |
| Website | — | www.oldtownelectricinc.net |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Nelson Electric
Nelson Electric's customers emphasize quick response times, professional conduct, and fair pricing, with a notable pattern of repeat customers returning for multiple projects over time.
Oldtown Electric
Oldtown Electric's customers highlight prompt arrival times often at the beginning of scheduled windows, thorough explanations of work performed, and clean worksite practices.
Key Takeaway: Nelson Electric shows an established base of repeat customers built over many years, while Oldtown Electric demonstrates particular attention to punctuality and educational communication with clients during their growth phase.
Customer Reviews
Nelson Electric
Super knowledgeable electrician and very reasonable prices. We needed a new subpanel and Zack was very informative and quick to schedule us in. 100% would recommend and will be our go to from now on.
These guys show up on time and do great work. Highly recommended
Recently, a friend recommended Nelson Electric for installing recess lights throughout my house. Before Zack did the installation he came to my house to give an estimate and explained the process of i...
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 Nelson Electric if...
- ✓ Your home is older and may have outdated wiring, aluminum wiring, or previous work that wasn't properly permitted, where Nelson's 19 years of experience diagnosing hidden issues becomes crucial.
- ✓ You're planning a complex project like whole-house rewiring, main panel replacement in an older system, or addressing multiple electrical problems simultaneously where seasoned judgment matters.
- ✓ You value the track record of repeat customers and established relationships that come from nearly two decades serving the same community.
- ✓ Your project involves potential complications where you want a contractor who has seen and solved similar problems hundreds of times.
Consider Oldtown Electric if...
- ✓ Your project is straightforward with clear scope, such as installing an EV charger, adding circuits for known appliances, or replacing a functioning panel with a larger one.
- ✓ You're working with newer construction or recently updated electrical systems where hidden problems are less likely.
- ✓ You want to support a growing contractor who is building their business and may offer competitive pricing to establish customer relationships.
- ✓ Prompt availability is your top priority and you appreciate the energy and attentiveness that newer companies often bring to customer service.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Nelson Electric how their approach to diagnosing problems differs given their experience with older Sacramento County homes, and request examples of hidden issues they've uncovered during projects similar to yours.
- → Ask Oldtown Electric about their owner's background before licensing and how they handle situations where projects reveal unexpected complications beyond their direct experience.
- → For either company, ask for references from projects matching your specific scope, particularly if your work involves older electrical systems or whole-house upgrades.
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, particularly those with older homes or complex electrical projects, Nelson Electric's 19 years of licensed experience provides meaningful advantages in diagnosing problems, handling complications, and navigating situations where electrical issues extend beyond the visible scope. The pattern of repeat customers over nearly two decades signals sustained quality and reliability. Oldtown Electric represents a solid choice for straightforward projects in newer homes where scope is clear and complications unlikely, offering the same licensing credentials and insurance protections with competitive pricing and strong responsiveness. If your project involves uncertainty, older systems, or extensive work, Nelson's veteran experience justifies choosing them. For defined installations with clear parameters, either contractor can serve you well.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For truly straightforward installations in newer homes with adequate panel capacity, the experience gap matters less. Both contractors handle EV charger installations regularly and receive positive feedback. However, if your installation requires panel upgrades, service capacity evaluation, or work in an older home, Nelson's experience better positions them to identify issues before they become problems mid-project.
Three years of licensed operation with positive customer feedback demonstrates Oldtown Electric can complete quality work and maintain good customer relationships. They're properly licensed, bonded, and insured. The concern isn't trustworthiness but rather depth of experience for complex situations where problems extend beyond the visible scope. For defined projects with clear parameters, their three years may be perfectly adequate.
Customer feedback mentions fair pricing for both companies, suggesting competitive rates in the market. More experienced contractors sometimes charge premium rates, but they may also work more efficiently and catch problems early that could cost more to fix later. Get quotes from both to compare, but factor in the value of experience for your specific project complexity.
Responsiveness and experience serve different needs. Both companies can likely schedule you quickly, which addresses your timeline. The experience difference matters for what happens once they arrive: how quickly they diagnose root causes, whether they anticipate complications before opening walls, and how they handle unexpected discoveries during the project. Fast scheduling gets them to your door; experience determines how smoothly the project proceeds.
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See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Sacramento.
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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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