Compare Local Pros
Save A Lot Solar vs Service Champions
Alameda Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a specialized solar installer with 14 years of experience to a full-service home contractor with 23 years covering HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work.
| Save A Lot Solar | Service Champions | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 14 years | 23 years |
| License # | 971422 | 817040 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Oakland, CA | Pleasanton, CA |
| Website | www.savealotsolar.com | www.servicechampions.net |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Save A Lot Solar
Save A Lot Solar customers emphasize the personalized, owner-involved approach with detailed explanations, competitive pricing below competitors, and successful installations on challenging properties.
Service Champions
Service Champions customers highlight thorough inspection practices with photographic documentation, educational service visits without sales pressure, and multi-trade convenience across HVAC, plumbing, and electrical needs.
Key Takeaway: Save A Lot Solar's pattern centers on high owner involvement and competitive pricing for solar projects, while Service Champions' pattern emphasizes systematic thoroughness and technician education across multiple home systems.
Customer Reviews
Save A Lot Solar
They did my panels a few years ago and I could not be happier with the service, and the product.
Locally run, great people, skilled at designing a small system that the big players couldn’t be bothered with. On time and on budget with no surprises.
Jon and team were great to work with.
Service Champions
He did exactly what I needed him to do. Knowing my options, he was able to save me from getting a new bathroom cabinet. Service Champions rocks!
Jonathon was absolutely awesome. He patiently explained the issue so well that I am dumping the company that came as part of the warranty.
Ethan was great....very professional and detailed
Consider Save A Lot Solar if...
- ✓ You need solar panel installation, battery backup systems, or solar expansion work, as this is Save A Lot Solar's exclusive specialty
- ✓ Your property presents installation challenges like an older roof, century-old construction, or strict local permitting requirements in cities like El Cerrito or Oakland
- ✓ You value direct owner involvement throughout the consultation and design process to discuss technical details and system sizing
- ✓ Competitive pricing matters to you, as customers consistently report Save A Lot Solar's quotes coming in below competitors while using quality equipment like REC panels and Enphase systems
Consider Service Champions if...
- ✓ You need HVAC, plumbing, or electrical services rather than solar installation, as Service Champions doesn't offer solar work
- ✓ You want one contractor relationship to handle multiple home systems including heating, cooling, water heaters, electrical panels, and plumbing across different service calls
- ✓ You value a veteran contractor with 23 years of licensing experience who has weathered multiple industry changes and building code evolutions
- ✓ You're interested in a maintenance membership program that provides regular checkups, priority scheduling, and service discounts for ongoing system care
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If considering Save A Lot Solar for a challenging installation, ask for references from projects with similar property characteristics like older construction or strict municipal permitting requirements
- → If considering Service Champions for a major installation like full HVAC replacement or electrical panel upgrade, ask which specific technician will lead your project and how long they've been with the company
- → Ask Save A Lot Solar how they handle coordination with roofing contractors if your roof needs work before solar installation
- → Ask Service Champions about their response protocol for urgent situations and whether membership program benefits justify the cost for your specific usage pattern
The Bottom Line
Choose Save A Lot Solar if you need solar panel installation, battery systems, or solar expansions—especially on challenging properties with older construction or strict permitting. Their 14 years of solar-specific experience, high owner involvement, and consistently competitive pricing make them well-suited for East Bay solar projects. Choose Service Champions if you need HVAC maintenance, plumbing repairs, electrical work, or sewer services, where their 23 years of veteran experience and multi-trade capabilities provide value. These contractors serve entirely different needs, so your decision comes down to which home system requires attention this week.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, Service Champions specializes in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work with no indication they offer solar installation services. If you need solar panels or battery backup systems, Save A Lot Solar is the appropriate choice between these two contractors. Service Champions could potentially handle electrical panel upgrades needed to support a solar installation, but not the solar system itself.
It depends entirely on your project type. Service Champions' 23 years means more experience with HVAC technology evolution and plumbing code changes within their specialty. Save A Lot Solar's 14 years is substantial for solar work, covering the industry's shift to microinverters and battery storage systems. Both have enough years to handle complex projects competently in their respective fields.
Save A Lot Solar customers consistently report competitive pricing below other solar installers while using quality equipment. Service Champions feedback emphasizes thoroughness and educational service rather than competitive pricing, with membership programs offering ongoing value through maintenance visits and discounts. Since they serve different trades, direct price comparison isn't meaningful—you're choosing based on which service you actually need.
Yes, using Save A Lot Solar for solar and Service Champions for HVAC makes sense since each specializes in their respective trade. Schedule the HVAC evaluation first if your system is older, as solar installers need to know your home's heating and cooling efficiency to properly size the solar system. Both contractors maintain proper licensing and insurance, so coordinating between them poses no compliance concerns.
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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 12, 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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