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5 Star Electric is a safe bet, but you won't find cutting-edge tech or the lowest quote in town. We analyzed over a hundred reviews and found a family-run operation that solves problems fast and doesn't overcharge when they could. One homeowner called after hiring an untrained handyman who created a fire hazard; Bruce arrived, diagnosed the mess in under an hour, and fixed it without upselling a panel replacement he easily could have pushed. Another customer watched an electrician track down a tricky fault across two visits, call PG&E himself to coordinate the utility fix, and keep her updated by phone the entire time. The most distinctive strength is troubleshooting speed: 21 reviews mention same-day or next-day service, and 26 highlight accurate diagnosis of faults other contractors missed. The second standout is honest advice. We found 11 reviews where technicians pointed out safety hazards (recalled panels, rodent damage, incorrect prior work) but recommended the cheapest fix rather than the most profitable one. One electrician even told a customer to wait on a panel upgrade to save money. The company accepts payment electronically but not credit cards, which feels oddly stuck in 2015.
If you need an electrician who'll show up tomorrow, fix the problem without inventing new ones, and charge you fairly, 5 Star is a strong choice. You'll miss out on slick digital tools and possibly pay a bit more than a low-bid competitor, but you won't wonder if the diagnosis was real or the invoice was padded.
Lisa found Bruce on Yelp about two and a half years ago while doing due diligence inspections on a house she planned to buy, and she’s relied on him exclusively ever since. He proved personable, honest, trustworthy, punctual and reliable — the kind of contractor who shows up and earns confidence over time. Recently Bruce dispatched Chris to tackle a perplexing electrical problem at her home; Chris stayed on the job, tracked down the root cause, called PG&E out, and ultimately got the house back up and running. He kept her informed with phone calls through the whole process, leaving her relieved to have a competent electrician who will coordinate with the utility and see a tricky issue through to a safe resolution.
Melanie L. turned to 5 Star Electrical for the second time and ended up thrilled. A few months earlier they had responded quickly to a potentially hazardous GFI problem; Hunter troubleshot the circuit and fixed it that same day, and while working he discovered her service panel had been part of an old safety recall—something she hadn’t known about. This week they coordinated with PG&E, set a clear appointment, and stayed in close communication. Bruce and Hunter replaced the recalled panel, corrected several other wiring issues that could have caused trouble later, and pointed out additional safety concerns—including evidence of rodents in the attic she hadn’t been aware of. They walked her through each step so she understood what they were doing and why. After multiple electrical headaches since buying the house, she now has a replaced, recalled panel, a handful of repaired trouble spots, and a much safer home. She also appreciated their friendliness—her 26-year-old son thought they were the coolest.
Matt ran into a stubborn broken outlet that a two-hour troubleshooting visit couldn't pin down. Bruce phoned, expecting Matt's frustration, and arranged for the electrician to come back later that same day to try a few other possibilities. The tech tracked down the actual cause and fixed the outlet on the spot, and the company absorbed the additional visit at no charge. The detail that stands out: they followed up same-day and finished the job without any surprise fee.
Passed screening
Passed screening
Among the longest-standing installers in the market.
Not BBB rated.
Reviews were posted naturally over time.
Ken L. has relied on 5 Star Electrical since moving to San Luis Obispo nine years ago, calling them back for a steady stream of work. He trusted them with jobs big and small — upgrading the main service panel, running power into new construction, replacing switches and outlets, and installing a ceiling fan — and discovered a team that combined technical know-how with professionalism and a friendly approach. Bruce stood out in particular, repeatedly recommending ways to complete projects to a higher standard while trimming costs compared with other proposals. After nearly a decade of repeat work, what lingers is the dependable relationship and Bruce’s knack for delivering better-quality solutions that also save money.
Luke moved to Morro Bay ten years ago and quickly made Bruce and his crew his go-to electricians. He has relied on them for punctual service, fair pricing, and solid technical know-how. Their estimates break costs down clearly so he always knows exactly what he’s paying for, and that transparency made decision-making simple. Most recently they installed a Tesla charger in his garage and finished the job cleanly and without fuss. The memorable detail: reliable crews, line‑item quotes, and a flawless EV hookup — the kind of no‑surprise work that matters when you’re rewiring a home.
Lisa found Bruce on Yelp about two and a half years ago while doing due diligence inspections on a house she planned to buy, and she’s relied on him exclusively ever since. He proved personable, honest, trustworthy, punctual and reliable — the kind of contractor who shows up and earns confidence over time. Recently Bruce dispatched Chris to tackle a perplexing electrical problem at her home; Chris stayed on the job, tracked down the root cause, called PG&E out, and ultimately got the house back up and running. He kept her informed with phone calls through the whole process, leaving her relieved to have a competent electrician who will coordinate with the utility and see a tricky issue through to a safe resolution.
Nette has relied on Bruce and his crew for years, so when a DIY attempt to install a ceiling fan and light left her uneasy about the wiring she called them in. She watched Bruce quickly identify and correct a wiring problem left by a previous electrician, then complete the fan install — and, surprisingly, reconfigure it so the wall light switch controlled the unit instead of the remote that came with it. He handled two additional ceiling lights in a matter of minutes, finishing work that would have taken her much longer to unpack and assemble. Throughout, communication felt modern and convenient: online scheduling and estimates, electronic payment, and a courteous call when Bruce was on his way. Professional, diplomatic, and skilled, Bruce delivered old-school workmanship with a modern booking system — the switch-controlled fan, something she didn’t even know was possible, is the detail Nette keeps coming back to.
Justin J. has relied on Bruce at Five Star Electric for several years whenever his local plumbing business needs an electrician. He called Bruce to hook up water heaters, install electric pumps, and handle other fixtures that require power, and Bruce consistently showed up on time and found a way to fit those calls into an already packed schedule. The result: service calls move quickly, installations get completed without delays, and the plumbing business doesn’t stall waiting for an electrician. The detail that keeps him coming back is simple and specific — Bruce’s punctuality and knack for squeezing jobs into a busy day.
Brett B. wanted a level 2 charger for his BMW iX installed at his house and needed the electrical panel modified to support it. He reached out and Bruce answered immediately, turned around a quote, and scheduled the work within days—fast enough for him to meet the 3C rebate deadlines. The crew reworked the existing panel, created a new panel slot, and corrected all of the panel labeling, leaving the electrical closet tidy and clearly documented. Bryan and Chris handled the on-site work professionally and courteously, and Brett found the price reasonable with excellent results. He walked away with a fully functioning charger, a properly upgraded and relabeled panel, and the paperwork in time for rebates—the rapid scheduling plus the thorough panel relabeling were what stood out most.
Yo I. booked a service visit to address a system issue and found Chris professional, thorough, and incredibly helpful. Chris walked them through what was happening, answered every question, and executed a quick, effective repair, so they left with the problem solved and a clear understanding of the fix. Bruce managed the appointment process, keeping scheduling seamless and friendly. The most memorable part of the experience was the combination of clear communication and efficient service — the crew didn’t just fix the issue, they made sure the homeowner knew why it happened and how it was resolved.
Alex U. turned to 5 Star Electrical for a second time when another electrical problem cropped up at his home. Bruce showed up, triaged and debugged the issue quickly, and fixed it on the spot. He walked away with practical advice about future upgrades he's considering, not just a repair. The standout detail: a returning customer experience defined by fast, effective troubleshooting and useful upgrade guidance.
M P. awarded five stars after a quick, no-fuss repair. After a same-day phone call they got a prompt service appointment, the crew arrived on time, and the technicians diagnosed an older HVAC/electrical unit that didn’t need a full replacement — just new breakers. The job came in at a reasonable price, delivered solid quality and value, and left them with a working system after a single, straightforward visit. The standout detail: fast phone service that turned into an efficient, inexpensive fix rather than an overblown project.
Long-term customers rate 5 Star Electric 5.0 ★ — higher than early reviews. This growth is better than 96% of installers we looked at.
Long-term reviews carry the most weight in our methodology because they are most representative of what you should be paying for: a system that will perform for years.