Ace Electrical Service

Dennis, who does initial interviews and manages projects, does not rush you, he explains everything and he listens very well. It was important to us that any work done meet existing SF code as we plan to condo convert. Dennis spots those code issues and suggests remedies. Jackie was the fellow I met who did most of the hands-on work; I provided a trash can and he made sure everything was neat and clean at the end of each day - what a nice thing to come home to. These folks are polite and professional. We did a quote on time and materials because much of the work was hidden behind walls and there was no way to give a full price bid. The final bill came in about $2,000 less than the T&M quote.

I've used then about three times now and I'm always happy with their work.

Dennis did a variety of work for us in our small home, from landscape lighting, to running new outlets through the basement, to fixing broken can lights. I've used one other electrician with a lower rate in the past, but Dennis was much more productive, so I feel his slightly higher rate is easily justified. Dennis was also very professional and got along famously with our dog. I'll be recommending Dennis to all my friends and look forward to having him back for larger projects in the future.

Update Oct 2019:

Dennis now insists on being paid for the time it takes to bid on the project. Given my previous experience, I would have just had him do it without contacting others, but now? Now I won't use him and certainly won't recommend him to others.

Dennis from Ace Electrical Service was referred to us by another handyman, so we didn't read the Yelp reviews prior to hiring him. We wish that we had because the same thing that previously happened to someone else happened to us. Dennis stuck us with an expensive repair bill without fixing anything, then threatened various penalties if we did not pay him immediately.

Here's what happened:

The fan light in our dining room stopped working, so Dennis tried to fix it. At first he assumed that the problem was the fan light itself, so he took apart the fan light. This didn't resolve the problem. Then he found low voltage in the outlet. In the process of investigating, power to the kitchen lights was cut. He was taking quite a while, yet he was clearly very determined to get the kitchen lights working again. Throughout the time he was in our house, Dennis was relaxed and friendly. I could see why he would be a popular repairman. Yet in regards to the electrical problems, he just couldn't figure them out. So eventually he left.

A second electrician named Kevin came over the next day. Kevin worked on the problems for about the same amount of time as Dennis had done the previous day. Kevin clearly knew what he was doing. He soon got the kitchen lights working again, then fixed the dining room fan light, then he traced all the electrical problems back to their original source. After fixing everything, he charged us $200. Meanwhile, Dennis sent an invoice of $500 for the previous day's failed efforts. I wrote him to say that his bill seemed high, and mentioned that the electrician who came in after him was able to fix everything and charged much less.  

At that point, his friendly manner evaporated. He responded with : If I have to put a mechanic lean for sale of your house (permitted by law), I will. Please note, I expect full payment ! It would be in your best interest to pay me NOW!

I asked, Why didn't you give us the option to have you stop working?  He responded with:  The wiring there is so poor and messed up. I expect the check by Monday or it will be much more costly.  I hope the check for the full amount is in the mail. Once I file the papers on Monday the city may come out and condemn the building until all violations are taken care of with permits. If they red tag the building, no one can live there until all is corrected. Walls will have to be opened for the work to be inspected and not closed until after the work and inspections are done.

He closed one of his emails with, You need not use me again!

On this point, we're in full agreement.

Dennis placed new outside lights on my house and did an excellent job. He was competent, efficient and personable. We will definitely call him again when we need an electrician.

I really wanted Dennis's work to be acceptable, and he initially seemed to know what he was doing. But then the job dragged on and on and he charged a lot for all the hours spent discussing what should be done instead of just getting it done. I was very flexible working with Dennis, and i think he initially tried really hard to get it right, but the work was not completed, he wasted a ton of our time, and charged thousands for an unfinished job. When we told him we were unhappy with the work, he freaked out, threatened, called us names, and refused to complete the work & the electrical inspection. Had to pay another electrician to finish and pull another permit to get the inspection done and the permit closed.

Dennis was recommended to us by a property management company that uses him all the time.  He did a great job and was professional, friendly and very flexible (and prompt) with his time.  We are moving and needed things done rather quickly.  He installed two light fixtures and one was rather complicated due to our house being over 100 years old.  He quickly replaced a light switch and doorbell that a previous electrician did not do.  He carries parts so he can do minor fixes very quickly and efficiently.   He also looked around the house and garage and made several important recommendations to get our house up to code (not necessarily work he will do).  He had good referrals for a handyman and other services.  I felt like he became our advocate for getting our house in good and safe condition to rent.  He is really good about explaining things and educating his clients.  His price is reasonable and he is honest and fair.  I highly recommend Dennis!

I feel fortunate that my former landlord recommended such a great business!  Dennis worked with my schedule and was kind and courteous when he arrived to give me a quote and when he completed the work.  He was thorough in his explanations of what needed to be done and spoke to me in layman's terms but didn't assume I was an idiot.  He finished in less time that I thought it would take which saved me money.  I have to say his number one qualities are honesty, trustworthiness and helpfulness.  He even fixed the screw on my door, going above and beyond his call of duty.  I would highly recommend Dennis and agree with the previous yelper, he was great with my puppy and the cats.  He was also very conscientious that the room he was working in was that of a six year old and cut NO corners.  I can't say enough good things about Ace Electrical Service.  Give Dennis a call!

Ace's/Dennis's services came recommended to me by my real estate agent after I purchased an older home in San Francisco (1926) that needed a series of new grounded outlets installed throughout the house to bring it into the 21st century!   He was able to schedule me on very short notice, and completed the work in just over a day at a reasonable cost.  His service was excellent, courteous and he explained every step of what he was doing, which was helpful to me in learning all about my old homes wiring.  I highly recommend his services and will be using his services again when we remodel and expand in the future.

Dennis was brought into my apartment to replace an old heater that my landlord had been neglecting to fix for quite some time. He was on time, friendly and got the job done quickly so I could head off to work. He was extremely easy to communicate with and I didn't feel uncomfortable with a stranger in my home, even my very picky dog took a liking to him. I would highly recommend Dennis and Ace in the future.

After working with other recommended electricians in our newly purchased San Francisco property, as first-time home owners, I found Dennis through Yelp and have no intention of ever looking for someone else. He's effective, reasonable, incredibly accessible, user friendly, straightforward, and trustworthy. Though what he's done for us has been relatively uncomplicated so far, he's done what the others couldn't seem to manage and walked me through other potential problems and opportunities along the way without being alarmist, pushy, or judgmental. I will not undertake anything electrical around the place without consulting him first.