ElectricMan Inc. | Dallas

As the owner of an old house, Irving member Mary Waldsmith knew she shouldn't wait when she heard a crackling noise in an outlet, so she called ElectricMan on a Sunday - and they picked up.

"My experience, especially with small contractors, is they don't answer the phone on weekends, and sometimes you don't get a call back for a couple days," says Waldsmith, who wrote one of the electric company's 14 Page of Happiness nominations in the last year.

Plano resident Craig Stevens experienced similar customer service when ElectricMan fixed his phone line. "If there was a manual on how to do business, retain customers and do it with honesty and integrity, then this company should write it," Stevens wrote.

Owner and licensed master electrician Nick Schaeffer says service starts with his employees, who are hired based on technical proficiency and aptitude for customer service. He's been in the industry since 1983, and in recent years began offering green options, such as solar panels and wind turbines.

He's even fixed generators for the American Red Cross to preserve its blood supply during a storm. "If you truly believe in customer service, not the dollar, eventually everything works out," Schaeffer says.

Safe Pro Pest Control | Plano, Texas

Lewisville member Steve Horn has dealt with his share of awesome and awful contractors in the eight years he's spent building his new home in Copper Canyon. After hiring Safe Pro to eradicate the spiders and scorpions that had moved in first, he places the licensed pest control applicator squarely in the awesome category.

Horn says the technician came to his home with shoe covers in hand - a fact mentioned in several of the company's 22 Page of Happiness nominations in the last year. "You could tell he was into his job, not just there for a paycheck," he says. "He was in a good mood, and that was nice to see." Horn also appreciated the company's use of nontoxic chemicals in specific areas because of concerns for his children's health.

Owner Alex Cantaboni, who founded the company in 2008, returns as a Best Dallas/Fort Worth Contractor for the second straight year. He says Horn's experience shows what sets Safe Pro apart.

"The most amazing thing is how lazy other contractors are and how sloppy people do work," he says. "We rely on our word and pride ourselves on always taking pictures so we can show that something is a problem."

Cantaboni, who volunteers his time and services for the Italian Club of Dallas, says it's important the company never grows so large it loses the personal service that made it successful. "The job is different every day, and I enjoy proving to people that there are still quality workers out there," he says.

Monique Mims of Dallas worried about rodents in her new house, but didn't worry about being oversold by Safe Pro. She says the technicians put her at ease immediately, and by the second visit they were laughing and having fun together. "They were very reliable, dependable and punctual - a great group of guys you can totally trust," Mims says.

Family Christian Doors | North Richland Hills, Texas

When Dallas member Lynn Galvan's garage door failed to open on a Saturday, she assumed a repair would have to wait until Monday. But Family Christian Doors sent a technician that day, and after determining it needed to be replaced, he demonstrated and explained why.

"They weren't here just to take your money but to give you good service," says Galvan, who nominated the company for a Page of Happiness, one of 14 received in the last year. The company has also won three Super Service Awards.

Owner Brandon Bailey says he incorporated his religion into the name of his company, which requires no license, for a reason. "My main objective as owner is to impact lives," says Bailey, who supports local and international missions. "We emphasize excellence and integrity. We want our customers to feel they're worth it."

Wright Brothers Air Conditioning & Heating | Haltom City, Texas

After more than a decade in the A/C business, Larry Wright decided in 1999 to start a remodeling business with his brother, Scott Wright. Today, Scott handles the remodeling and Larry focuses on A/C work. The licensed HVAC contractor instructs employees to do each job "however you'd want someone to do your mom's house."

The four-time Super Service Award winner's customers, who submitted 17 Page of Happiness nominations in the last year, rave about everything from the company's professionalism to its pet-friendliness.

Natalia Meneese says of the eight companies that serviced the air conditioner in her former Colleyville home over two years, Wright was the best. She praised the workers' cleanliness and their detailed invoice. "We had a very good experience with them," Meneese says.

More Best Dallas-Fort Worth Contractors of 2011

Find these companies' full profiles at angieslist.com to read more about what makes their service superlative

#1 DFW Junk Removal & Garage Clean Out Service | Arlington, Texas

AAdvanced Inspections | Plano, Texas

Alloyd Garage Door and Opener | Duncanville, Texas

Brookstar Electric | Flower Mound, Texas

Dave's Pest Management | Flower Mound, Texas

Dryer Venting Services | Garland, Texas

Efficient Air and Heat | Saginaw, Texas

Geo Dynamics | Richardson, Texas

Linked Up Media | Frisco, Texas

Neighborhood Heating & Air Conditioning | Crandall, Texas

Runyan Electric | Southlake, Texas

Smart Temp Windows | Waxahachie, Texas

The Finishers | Plano, Texas