Shields Electric

Eric R.

Shields Electric FOR THE WIN! I enjoy meeting people that are good at what they do . . . I believe a big part of being ""good"" is not only technical knowledge, but also attitude, creativity, determination, and the ability to communicate with lay people such as myself. Jeff at Shields Electric is all of that and more, and I can't speak highly enough about him and his team.

We initially wanted a whole house fan, but traditional whole house fans won't fit in our second story due to space constraints in the attic from a low roof and the furnace/AC equipment. That led us down the path of the Quiet Cool system which I was very intrigued by. After doing research, I called out several companies that bestowed the benefits of Quiet Cool fans, but most of them told me the same thing: I didn't have enough space in my attic for a Quiet Cool fan, despite the fact they are made to fit in tighter spaces. This was because the intake vent was going to need to be located in the ceiling on the FAR side of the existing HVAC equipment, and the low roof made it ""impossible"" to physically get the fan housing to the location where it needed to be.

One company mentioned an alternative: install two smaller fans in each of the two guest rooms, and combine them to get almost the same air flow as the one larger fan that I was interested in. Although I appreciated the creativity, I really didn't want individual fans in separate rooms; I wanted one central whole house fan.

The last company I called was Shields Electric. Jeff came out quickly and investigated the situation. He noted the space constraints and challenges that existed (which I knew about, but didn't tell him that others had told me) but instead of a ""can't be done"" attitude, he mentioned that it could be done, and then also started looking at other options for alternatives I might like even better (vertical mount on a high ceiling, possibly another fan for a separate part of the house). After walking around and discussing with him, we decided the one central fan was the way to go. I challenged him from the same angles that everybody else said it couldn't be done: no space to move the fan, low ceiling, HVAC equipment in the way. Each challenge I threw at him he easily said ""no problem, and here's why"".

He was able to squeeze me into his schedule today, July 3rd, after coming out the prior week (and that was mainly due to my own work schedule). He showed up exactly on time and left right around noon, as he said he would. I now have a Quiet Cool fan located right where several others said was impossible to install due to space constraints.

Jeff takes pride in doing what others can't, and that sets him apart. His creativity shows through and he really discusses the solution with you rather than just telling you how it is.

I also laugh at others that cry foul on ""overcharging."" I personally avoid paying the lowest cost guy . . . if you were good at what you do, you would charge more for it. Good athletes get paid more. Good professionals at anything get paid more. You want a job done right without issue, and a problem solver that will accomplish with a better result things that others say were impossible . . . you SHOULD pay more.

I found Jeff and everyone I interfaced with very pleasant, down-to-earth, and professional. I would use Shields Electric again in a heartbeat, and would not hesitate recommending them to anybody who was a true, professional problem solver that gets things done and gets them done right with a great can-do attitude.

Thanks, Jeff. Will definitely talk to you soon.

-Eric

Ian R.

I would give Shields Electric 100 stars if it went that high.

One of the circuits went down on my East Sac house built in the 1920's with a box almost as old - and of course it was the one that controlled our kitchen appliances and our A/C - during the summer... in Sacramento.... I called Shields and spoke to a nice fellow who took my info and got a call from Jeff the owner a short time later. He was open to my crazy schedule and was able to diagnose and fix the problem the next day and for an excellent price.

That's the easy part; now here's where it goes nuts. We had to get SMUD involved initially and the first SMUD guy indicated that it was a pretty simple issue not requiring permits and inspections. Of course once Jeff was finished with his work, we had to get SMUD back out to get us back online. Well we get Captain By-the-Book McRegulationstien and he decides that the full boat of permits and inspections are required before we can get power back. Turns out that ""No power with a baby during the summer"" means exactly nothing to SMUD. FYI.

So after an hour of myself, my wife, and Jeff on the phone with SMUD after hours, we finally get them to send another troubleshooter out to re-check it. Jeff leaves his house on his time and comes back over to meet them to discuss the scope of work. We all find out that the rules that SMUD has chosen to use have changed and now there is, in fact, an inspection required. Jeff stayed with us until about 10pm to make sure the after-hours inspector was all settled and then even came back later when the SMUD trucks showed up to turn us back on.

The way that we were treated by SMUD was a huge issue that we will be filing a complaint about. Jeff stuck with us the entire time and even went down to the city the next day to get the permit we needed because my wife and I both had to be at work. There aren't enough good things to say about how helpful he was and how WAY far above the call of duty he went. We'll tell everyone we know who to go to for an electrician and now you know too.

Joe D.

They came out same day that I called, and fixed our electrical problem. They have a $155.00 service fee which includes the first hour. That was a little steep for me, but we needed to have the problem fixed, and the technician was very through and professional.

K A.

I will never use Shields Electric again and I strongly recommend that you consider using another contractor. They miss appointments, are condescending, and when you call them out on their shoddy workmanship, they apologize for being unprofessional yet continue with the attitude. No thanks, I have had it with them.

Timothy M.

Jeff and his team completed work began by another electrician who could not deliver on his promised schedule. He came in and double-checked the previous work, completed wiring and recommended changes to outlet/switch configuration which worked better than what we initially had. Jeff and Nate were thoroughly professional, timely, and did the work they promised to do in the timetable they estimated. I will definitely call upon them again for future work, and would strongly recommend them to anyone looking for a dependable electrician.

Lynne E.

I had an electrical emergency and Shields had someone here in less than 30 minutes. Once the problem was identified, I was given options with no pressure to take the more expensive option. Highly professional, they took time to show me what was taking place with my electrical panel and educated me as to the cause as well as outlining my options in terms I could easily understand. I had them come back a few days later to install a whole house fan and security lights and seriously, these guys even walk fast (like it's their dime I'm spending!). Nathan, Nathan (2) and Jason were quick but not hasty and always took the time to explain or discuss a question I had. They even clean up after themselves! I highly recommend this company.

Katherine S.

We've used Shields Electric twice now to do installations or repairs to our 1924 East Sac Bungalow and couldn't be happier. They are prompt, communicative, efficient, and reasonably priced and, even better, locally owned and operated.

Heather G.

We needed a bus and new breakers installed. When we called late, they helped determine if it was an emergency enough to require late night charges (it wasn't, because we could keep the power on for that night) in an effort to save us money. The next day, the owner of the business himself responded. He treated an elderly person at the house, who has trouble hearing, with great respect and made sure they understood what needed doing. Since we had medical need for power, he got cooperation going with the power company and city inspectors to do repairs, inspection, and get power on the same day. Everyone we talked to at the company was careful to explain what he problem was, what to expect from other folks in the process, and how much it was likely to be. They also had a phone-based credit charge system to take cred with followup email to explain what the charges were for. It ended up being expensive for our budget, but it's well worth it to us. Besides meeting the medical need, it saved the food in our fridge and freezer and kept me from losing more time off from work.

Eric H.

I can't say enough about how great Jeff Shields and his team are. He took great care of my home, we had to completely re-do all of the electrical, from our 1940, Knob and Tube based wiring. He was down earth, able to explain stuff to a lay-person... meaning me, and just generally a good dude that I felt like I could trust! His team of electricians were all courteous and friendly and I think that they did a great job. I feel like I got a tremendous amount of ""Bang for my Buck"". I was very worried with this being my first home and it being in such a rough state.... and Jeff really took care of me and my family , and we couldn't be happier with the work that was done.

Foxy G.

Sheild Electric is so over-rated; for it pays for advertising.

My husband and I hired him -- since he is on top of the list. He came out for half an hour, and charged us $250 on ""consultation"".

He recommended that we replaced our electrical panel; the price tag was $2000 and more. I forgot exactly. But was a lot.

We still wanted to work with him -- we enjoyed his demeanor. My husband followed up w/ him to ask for detailed quote on each item and cost. He said his office manager -- who is his wife, was on vacation. So we were told before that it would take some time for him to get that to us. And it never come.

My husband then went on Better Business Bureau, and found a good one. The electrician came out. He said for this rental property, we are NOT required to replaced the panel. We can install GFI power switches/breakers in kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room where there is water. If there is power surge, it will just cut off the power. It is totally Ok. The whole thing cost us less than $300.