Compare Local Pros
Megaton Electric vs Pires Electric
Alameda Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Pires Electric brings 14 additional years of licensed experience, while Megaton Electric specializes more in substantial residential rewiring projects.
| Megaton Electric | Pires Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 3.5 |
| Years Licensed | 22 years | 36 years |
| License # | 841723 | 579911 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Oakland, CA | Fremont, CA |
| Website | megatonelectric.com | www.pireselectric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Megaton Electric
Megaton Electric customers emphasize responsive communication, quality workmanship on substantial residential projects, and thorough attention to identifying issues during complete home rewiring and lighting installations.
Pires Electric
Pires Electric customers highlight exceptionally long relationships spanning 14-15 years, clear technical explanations from the owner, and reliability as a go-to resource across multiple residential and commercial properties.
Key Takeaway: Megaton earns praise for project-specific execution quality, while Pires is distinguished by customers maintaining multi-decade relationships, suggesting different strengths in one-time project delivery versus ongoing electrical partnership.
Customer Reviews
Megaton Electric
Grateful to have found a reputable, diligent and trustworthy electrician at Megaton Electric. Jose was quick to respond when I called about getting an estimate for exterior lighting upgrades and a new...
Jose is amazing! He is honest and does quality work. He completely re-wired our home and did a fantastic job for a good price. Along the way, he would point out potential issues as well that we would ...
Pires Electric
Louis was so helpful I really love this place
We've been a customer for our commercial and residential properties for at least fourteen years. They're our Go To company for electrical in the Bay Area. Luis is always up to date on new technolo...
We've been working with Luis for years both on residential and commercial. Has been a good relationship for well over 15 years .
Consider Megaton Electric if...
- ✓ Your project involves complete home rewiring or major lighting installation where customers specifically praise Megaton's thorough workmanship and issue identification during execution
- ✓ You're located in Oakland and value working with a contractor based in your immediate area who knows local permitting well
- ✓ You prioritize responsive communication during the estimate phase and appreciate straightforward, honest pricing discussions
- ✓ Your electrical project is a substantial one-time residential upgrade rather than ongoing maintenance needs
Consider Pires Electric if...
- ✓ You want a contractor with 36 years of experience navigating California electrical codes and technology evolution, particularly valuable for older homes with hidden complications
- ✓ You need both residential and commercial electrical expertise, especially for technology upgrades or HVAC electrical troubleshooting
- ✓ You value building a long-term relationship with an electrician who can serve as your go-to resource for multiple properties over many years
- ✓ You appreciate detailed technical explanations and want an owner who clearly communicates electrical system requirements and options
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Megaton Electric: Ask for references from recent complete home rewiring projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if your home is older
- → For Pires Electric: Ask whether your residential project will receive the same priority as their commercial accounts and what typical response times look like
- → Ask both companies about their crew stability and how long their current electricians have been with the company
- → Ask about their specific experience with your home's age and electrical panel type, particularly regarding code compliance for planned work
The Bottom Line
Both companies are well-qualified with proper licensing, workers comp, and bonding, so your decision hinges on project type and relationship goals. Choose Pires Electric if you value the deepest possible experience (36 years), need both residential and commercial expertise, or want to establish a long-term electrical partnership—their customer relationships spanning 14-15 years demonstrate exceptional reliability. Choose Megaton Electric if your priority is a substantial residential rewiring or lighting project where customers specifically praise their thorough workmanship, or if you prefer Oakland-based proximity and responsive project communication. Neither choice carries meaningful risk; Pires offers deeper experience, while Megaton offers proven residential project specialization.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward installations, both companies have more than sufficient experience. However, Pires Electric's 36 years means greater exposure to older electrical systems, obsolete components, and evolving technology standards that can matter significantly when complications arise during rewiring or when diagnosing problems in homes built before 2000. If your project might uncover hidden issues, that additional experience provides meaningful value.
Megaton Electric's customer feedback emphasizes substantial one-time projects like complete home rewiring with thorough execution. Pires Electric's pattern shows customers working with them for 14-15 years across multiple properties, suggesting they excel at becoming your long-term electrical resource. If you need a rewiring specialist, consider Megaton; if you want an electrician for life, Pires has the track record.
Commercial experience means exposure to more complex electrical systems, stricter code requirements, and larger-scale troubleshooting that can translate to handling complicated residential projects. However, ask Pires directly about scheduling priority for residential work to ensure your home project won't be delayed for commercial commitments. Megaton's residential focus may mean more predictable availability for homeowner projects.
Both contractors serve Alameda County and should be familiar with local permitting requirements. Megaton's Oakland base may offer slightly faster response for emergency calls if you're in Oakland proper, while Pires serves the broader Bay Area from Fremont. For scheduled project work, location is less critical than their experience fit with your specific electrical needs.
Looking for the Best?
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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