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Ace Electric vs Rivas Custom Electric
Alameda Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Rivas Custom Electric brings three more years of experience and stronger review patterns, but lacks workers compensation insurance that Ace Electric carries.
| Ace Electric | Rivas Custom Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 8 years | 11 years |
| License # | 1034703 | 1005652 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Oakland, CA | San Leandro, CA |
| Website | — | rceelectric782agmail.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Ace Electric
Limited documented customer feedback available, with projects including whole-house rewiring and remodel work showing technical capability.
Rivas Custom Electric
Consistent praise for professional workmanship, punctuality, clear communication, and clean work areas, with multiple customers returning for additional projects over many years.
Key Takeaway: Rivas Custom Electric has established a documented pattern of customer satisfaction and repeat business, while Ace Electric's customer feedback history remains limited despite eight years in business.
Customer Reviews
Ace Electric
When it comes to electrical wiring Shaun at Ace electric is the horse whisper. He helped me with a house remodel, we rewired lighting and smoke throughout the house, rewired the whole kitchen, insta...
Rivas Custom Electric
Professional honest, good price I recommend 100% he make a job on my apartment very professional thank you Mr. Rivas
Very nice work and clean definitely calling him again!
"Absolutely fantastic service! Arrived on time, worked efficiently, and explained everything clearly. The quality of the work was top-notch, and they left everything neat and tidy. Highly recommend!"
Consider Ace Electric if...
- ✓ You want the protection of workers compensation insurance and cannot verify your homeowner's policy covers contractor injuries adequately
- ✓ Your project is straightforward electrical work like lighting installation or smoke detector upgrades where eight years of experience is sufficient
- ✓ You're comfortable with a contractor who has less documented customer feedback but meets all insurance requirements
Consider Rivas Custom Electric if...
- ✓ Your project involves complex work like panel replacements or older home rewiring where 11 years of experience diagnosing hidden issues provides added value
- ✓ You can verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries or are willing to accept this liability risk
- ✓ Consistent customer feedback about punctuality, communication, and clean work matters to you and you value the proven track record of repeat clients
- ✓ You're planning kitchen electrical work or heat pump installations where Rivas has demonstrated specific project experience
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Rivas Custom Electric: Ask directly about liability coverage for worker injuries and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if their employee is hurt on your property
- → For Ace Electric: Ask for references from recent projects similar to yours, particularly if your work involves complexity beyond basic installations
- → For both: Ask how long their current crew has been working together and request references you can contact this week
- → Confirm warranty terms for the work and whether they'll be available for follow-up service if issues arise
The Bottom Line
If workers compensation coverage is non-negotiable for you, choose Ace Electric and ask for references to compensate for limited review history. However, if you can verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries or you're willing to accept that risk, Rivas Custom Electric offers three more years of experience and a proven track record of professional communication, punctuality, and quality work that multiple customers trusted enough to hire repeatedly. For complex projects in older homes, Rivas's additional experience matters. Call your insurance agent first thing to understand your liability exposure, then decide based on your specific risk tolerance and project complexity.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It's a real liability concern. If an electrician is injured at your home and the contractor lacks workers comp, your homeowner's insurance may have to cover medical bills and lost wages, or you could be personally liable. Call your insurance agent to verify your coverage before hiring any contractor without workers comp. Many homeowners accept this risk for contractors with strong track records, but you need to make that decision with full information.
For straightforward installations in newer homes, probably not significantly. For panel upgrades in older homes, rewiring projects, or situations where you might encounter outdated wiring or hidden issues, those extra three years mean Rivas has likely encountered more complications and knows how to handle them. If your home was built before 1990 or you're doing extensive remodeling, experience matters more.
The data shows limited documented customer feedback for Ace Electric, while Rivas has established patterns of customer satisfaction and repeat business. This doesn't necessarily mean Ace does poor work, but it does mean you have less information to assess their consistency. Ask Ace directly for recent references you can contact to fill this gap.
Both have experience with kitchen electrical work. Rivas has specific documented feedback about kitchen remodel projects and shows consistent communication and clean work practices that matter in occupied homes during remodels. However, if workers comp protection is your priority, Ace Electric provides that coverage. Verify your insurance situation first, then decide based on whether you value Rivas's proven track record enough to accept the comp insurance gap.
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See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Alameda.
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How We Compare Contractors
License Verification
All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.
Review Analysis
Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.
Detailed Comparison
We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.
Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
- Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
- Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
- Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
- Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.
Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.
Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 13, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
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