It's not often you come across someone in business who reminds you that basic human kindness still…read moreexists. Jake at Barker Tech did that for my wife and me. Our home has an older AV system installed years ago by another contractor. Over time, the system became outdated, complicated, and the contractor became harder to reach and increasingly expensive. My wife and I separated several years ago, but she still lives in the home and has always struggled with the universal remote and the setup's complexity. Recently, she called me in distress because she couldn't turn on the television in the living room. Under normal circumstances, that would be a small inconvenience. But my wife is currently battling stage-four ovarian cancer and only has a few months left. All she wanted was the simple comfort of sitting on the couch and watching TV. I called Jake and explained the situation. Without hesitation, he said he would come take a look. The next day, he and one of his technicians, Wilson, showed up and spent over an hour patiently troubleshooting the system until they got everything working again. When the work was finished, I asked what I owed him. Jake said there would be no charge given my wife's condition. I was honestly taken back. In a world where it often feels like everything is transactional, Jake chose compassion instead. This wasn't just good service, it was humanity, and I'll never forget that kindness. If you're looking for someone who truly cares about his clients and takes pride in his work, Barker Tech is the real deal.

I'm torn writing this because I honestly want to keep Barker Tech a secret so they're always…read moreavailable when I have an issue! But the work Jake has done is too good not to share. I previously used a big Bay Area AV/home automation company. I spent over six figures on the initial install when I was rebuilding my house, and after that, every "fix" cost thousands. They had me on a Savant system where even a simple upgrade--like adding a new Apple TV 4K--was quoted at $4,000 because I needed new video cards. I was tired of the "gatekeeping" and not being able to make simple changes myself. I hired Jake to fix the mess, and Barker Tech has been incredible. He didn't just patch things up. he completely updated my network and AV, removed the bloated Savant system, and simplified my entire home automation setup. The result? A system that is high-end, significantly more dependable and simple, I'm able to DIY some things and I don't need to worry about explaining to my wife why a simple change to the system costs more than our first car we bought. The responsiveness is what really sets them apart. I recently had a troubleshooting issue: Jake responded within 5 minutes and had it totally resolved in 15 minutes. Barker Tech feels "too good to be true" because the knowledge and attention to detail are world-class, but the prices are actually reasonable. If you're tired of being overcharged by the big firms, call Jake. (Just don't take up all his time!)

We hired Cable Shmable after looking at other home security options for our new house, and they did…read morenot disappoint. For us, they gave the best of both worlds: unified networking and home security, but also the best bang-for-your-buck technology with no long-term contracts. They came out for a free consultation, provided quotes with multiple options at different price points, and created a custom plan for our home that gave us an optimal networking setup. When they came out to do the work, they were friendly and professional and executed the job very cleanly. So far I'm quite satisfied with the results; the internet and UniFi system they installed has been great. Would hire again!

These guys are amazing. If I could give them 10 stars, I absolutely would…read more I needed to run a fiber optic cable from the ISP junction box in the utility closet outside the garage to the soon-to-be office on the second floor. It's only about 15 feet as the crow flies, but there were lots of studs, joists, and built-in cabinets in the way. Both HOA CC&R and basic aesthetics say no to running cables along exterior walls - but that was the only solution the ISP installers were willing to offer. Enter Cable Shmable. Instead of giving a rough guesstimate, Karim came out in person to review the scope of work, propose a cable path, and provide a solid estimate. The very next workday, Alex and Yunus arrived to do the job. Having Alex and Yunus work on my project felt like being in a happy place. They showed up on time, brought all the right tools, gizmos, and materials, and clearly knew exactly what they were doing. Their cabling expertise was obvious as they masterfully navigated the fiber through every obstacle and got it exactly where it needed to go. When they finished, the work area was actually cleaner than when they arrived. As a finishing touch, Alex and Yunus are genuinely friendly, easygoing people to work with. They listened patiently to my layman suggestions, explained the intricacies of fiber optics, and ultimately proposed, and implemented, a cable path that was both technically sound and aesthetically pleasing. The name Cable Shmable really fits. It carries an aura of ease and a true "can-do" attitude. When it comes to cables and networking, there's nothing these guys can't handle. I highly recommend Cable Shmable for all your networking needs.

Another good experience with First Tech Networks and John Jiang…read more He installed a Doorbird entry system for us a few years ago and it was malfunctioning. John responded to my emails on a Sunday evening and he even power-cycled the system for us, which temporarily restored functionality. John contacted Doorbird on our behalf; happily, Doorbird were able to make a remote fix for us.

Since December of 2016, I have been a loyal customer of John's for a reason - his products and…read moreservices have never disappointed me. Initially, when I was in search of a top-notch security camera system, I explored the options of buying and setting up one by myself. Residing in a three-story building, I understood the importance of having a reliable security system in place.

Kurtis's team set our house up with a wired and wireless network and security cameras. He also…read moremounted our TV on the wall and hid all cables to make it fit well in our living room. Aside from being very knowledgeable about his domain, Kurtis and his team are also able to think creatively about different solutions. The pathway they created for all the wiring took them a great deal of effort, but it's almost invisible, both inside and outside the house. Their team worked tirelessly to make sure everything was installed well while maintaining the esthetic of our house. Asking for small adjustments, like lowering the TV after the first installment or removing older cameras, was never an issue. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Kurtis, and I'd be more than happy to approach him again for future projects.

We had our house-wide theater system upgrade and wifi mesh installation done by Kurtis and his very…read moreprofessional team 18 months ago. I just ran into him and seeing him reminded me that I meant to write a review after I decided whether their work was worth the money. Ours was probably a small-to-mid-size job for him, but it felt big to us, and Kurtis and team were sensitive to our concerns, as well as very efficient at getting the job done. We have been extremely happy with our new TVs with upgraded sound, our extended wifi, and mind-blowing theater system in our "man cave". I 100% recommend Kurtis Company.

I am so happy with this company! My technician was Mike. He was calm, friendly, and I did not feel…read morerushed when talking to him. If you're in SF they will pickup and deliver for free, which is amazing! He diagnosed over the phone, got the battery in, then picked up fixed and delivered back same day. He also cleaned out the dust. He also showed me the battery settings and info and told me how to use the battery to keep it long lasting. For any women reading this, I felt safe letting him in my apt. No wierd vibes.

Very responsive and went above and beyond for replacing a laptop battery. Mike was able to do a…read morehouse call and the replacement took about an hour. The Apple Store said they needed 3-5 days and also cost more!

I found Bay Area Tech Hero while searching for a network specialist to install Ethernet wired…read morebackhaul in our older (1950s-60s) home that had been renovated but still lacked proper networking. Since they seem to handle a lot of corporate-scale installations, I initially wondered if my project might be too small--but that concern disappeared pretty quickly. The team was already very familiar with Ubiquiti systems and was incredibly patient working with me despite my fairly basic understanding. They walked me through the tradeoffs and ultimately recommended stepping up from mid-range equipment to more professional-grade options. The reasoning was clear, the cost/benefit made sense, and at no point did I feel pressured--just well-advised. The actual Ethernet installation work was top-notch--smurf tubing, recessed (not sticking out!) enclosures, and everything. The level of craftsmanship and attention to detail is honestly beyond what I would normally expect (or even feel comfortable demanding from contractors). They went above and beyond without being asked, and the cable organization is immaculate. Huge thanks to Justin and John for their precision and quality of work, and to Jim and Rodrigo for their thoughtful recommendations on equipment and access point placement. If you're looking for a team that combines technical expertise with professionalism and genuine care, I'd absolutely recommend them.

We didn't hire Bay Area Tech Hero - so we cannot comment on service quality. The reason we didn't…read morehire this team was primarily due to pricing. The quote we received for 3x cable runs was 400% more than the team we hired, and that team said their pricing was "average pricing." We also were quoted the highest end hardware, which would have been excessive for our needs. If you can afford to shop around and the timing of your project allows, we highly suggest shopping around!

Great food, great guy . Stayed open later to make sure the food was nice and fresh for me…read more Definitely recommendè

The posted hours show that the shop is open on Sundays. I even discussed this with their staff on…read moreSaturday and they confirmed it was open on Sunday. So I went to the store and it was not open.

If you're doing serious home networking (especially during a remodel) and you care about…read moreperformance, Wiztec is the real deal. I contacted two other low-voltage/networking companies before Wiztec and it was a mess: flaky scheduling, no-shows, refusal to visit the site, or acting like the request was "too hard" -- specifically once I mentioned CAT8 cable runs. One company essentially refused the job outright. (yeah yeah I know the speil about CAT8 overkill for a residential job but that's outside the scope of this conversation.) Wiztec was the opposite: they were professional, showed up, and treated the project like adults. Important context: Because this was a remodel, my GC ran the CAT8 cables in-wall, so Wiztec didn't do the physical cable pulling. But Wiztec handled the part that actually determines whether your network performs correctly: CAT8 terminations (jacks / keystones) Hardware procurement (they got the right gear -- no "random Amazon stuff") Camera install Full configuration + validation to ensure the network worked end-to-end at expected speeds And the best part: they didn't just install and disappear. They made multiple visits to make sure everything was correct and stable: Visit 1: Daniyar -- adjusted cabling / prep details Visit 2 (main install): Aidos + Vitaly Final visits (wrap-up): Aidos + Daniyar Huge shoutout to Aidos, who even came out solo to finish work and make sure everything was done right. What I appreciated most is that Wiztec didn't treat this like "just plug stuff in." They approached it correctly: - Ensured terminations were done cleanly (this is where speed issues and failures happen) - Configured equipment properly - Verified performance so the setup actually delivered what CAT8 infrastructure should deliver If you're investing in CAT8 and you want your network to perform like it should (and not like a glorified Wi-Fi extender), hire Wiztec. They're reliable, technically competent, and they finish the job correctly. one of my best friends is also doing a remodel, and I intend to recommend Wiztec to him too.

Excellent in every respect…read more All appointments- from site survey to installation- were well communicated and on schedule. Price was competitive and fair. Work was done with care and they laid down protective paper as they worked and vacuumed up when finished, leaving everything pristine. They ran into a challenge at one point and walked me through several options that creatively solved it. My Ethernet is now blazing fast and solid and I'm super happy with the results. Definitely would recommend Wiztec to anyone - the level of professionalism is a role model for other trade companies.

I hired Hipontech to replace an outdated Aiphone intercom system at our four-unit building, and I…read morecouldn't be more impressed. After contacting Doorbird directly, they referred us to Jeff and his team, and I can see why. From the start, Jeff was professional, knowledgeable, and responsive. He came out to assess our setup and thoughtfully recommended a Doorbird solution that would meet our functional and aesthetic needs. Jeff even coordinated the fabrication of a custom stainless steel faceplate with Doorbird to seamlessly replace the older system. His team handled everything--from removing the old Aiphone unit to installing the new Doorbird system, connecting Wi-Fi, and updating the indoor intercoms. The work was clean, efficient, and done with care. If you're looking for someone reliable and experienced to upgrade your building's intercom or entry system, I highly recommend Hipontech. Jeff and his crew exceeded expectations at every step.

Jeff was great! We desperately needed to replace our old intercom and indoor stations with a new…read moresystem. The older system only allowed us to hear the buzzer but we had no way of talking back and forth to them. Buzzing people into the building without vetting them was a risk. Jeff took the time to come out, reviewed our existing system and made recommendations based on our needs. Electronic payments were easy and the equipment arrived within a week. They required a full day for setup and then helped me understand how to get everyone's key fobs and intercoms programmed. The new DoorBird system is great! We can see and talk to visitors before allowing them inside, key fobs let us come in and out quickly without fumbling with keys. Nice to have extra peace of mind!

Above and beyond incredible service. Luis is old school, he looks out for you and has your best…read moreinterests at heart. I went to Luis for screen repair bc my laptop fell onto the floor on the side and the screen cracked, and blacked out with dead pixels on the screen. Luis repaired it for me so fast with incredible turnaround time within days. List of why Luis goes above and beyond: 1. Cared about saving me money whenever possible and was very transparent about prices, talked me through details and options for replacement screens and gave pros and cons of each while comparing prices. He sent screenshots of prices and receipts as well as FedEx tracking. (As an aside, I mentioned I might Lyft to his place to send the laptop and he said 'don't do that, so expensive, take MUNI and save money!') 2. After receiving my laptop, he also saw my right speaker had bad sound (I've been meaning to get this fixed for a while and have been putting it off) and offered to fix it himself. He was going to do it for an additional $50 then later just charged me $25 bc the speaker he found wasn't "perfect" according to him but to me it sounds great haha. This saved me so much instead of going to Apple without warranty which would have been at least $200 bc from what I read, they usually insist on replacing the entire "top case" and not just single speakers. Wow, thanks Luis! 3. I am badly organized and don't maintain my storage well; when I went to pickup he gave me many tips on what to fix and how to free up more storage, then organized my desktop for me in front of me. Thanks Luis! His communication is also top notch, very fast response times, very detailed texts. He's absolutely fantastic. You are in good hands if you go to him.

luis's efficiency, short turnaround time, and thoroughness are truly admirable thus i'm thankful…read morethat he was able to repair my laptop so quickly. context: i spilled half a glass of room temp water on my macbook pro (april 9). april 11th (4/11), though my laptop can turn on + all of my data was still there, the keyboard and trackpad no longer worked. timeline: i contacted him through his website on monday (4/13) afternoon, then again on yelp monday night (due to my anxiety and urgency). luis called me wednesday morning (4/15) for details and the price cost to repair. we scheduled for me to drop off my laptop the next day (4/16), where i walked him through what had happen to the macbook and he walked me through what he was planning to do to fix it, as his success rate for liquid damage repair is 70+%. luis contacted me again later on the same day (4/16) via text message with photos + explanations with what had happen after opening up my laptop AND that the laptop was fixed & ready for pick up! after checking everything is fine/ good to go, i picked up my repaired macbook on friday (4/17). price: it was a $100 nonrefundable deposit to check if the laptop is fixable (paid on 4/16). $200 for labor + $20 for parts (lid angle sensor and 1 usb-c port) that needed to be replaced (paid on 4/17). total for my macbook repair was $320. sincerely appreciate the speedy fix and def reach out again for future macbook repairs/replacement parts.