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ABC Electric vs Holderby Electric
El Dorado Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
ABC Electric carries workers compensation insurance while Holderby Electric does not, creating a significant liability difference despite Holderby's longer 24-year track record.
| ABC Electric | Holderby Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 7 years | 24 years |
| License # | 1053797 | 799909 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Diamond Springs, CA | Placerville, CA |
| Website | www.abcelectricalsolutions.com | holderbyelectric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
ABC Electric
Customers emphasize ABC Electric's collaborative planning approach, with the owner listening to needs and developing customized solutions for planned electrical upgrades like generators, panels, and rewiring.
Holderby Electric
Customers highlight Holderby Electric's responsiveness to urgent situations, including late-evening emergency calls, with feedback focused on quick diagnostics and efficient problem resolution.
Key Takeaway: ABC's reviews center on planned upgrade projects with budget planning and repeat customer relationships, while Holderby's emphasize emergency response and rapid troubleshooting under time pressure.
Customer Reviews
ABC Electric
Bob and team are great. Bob listened to me and established a plan that was right for my situation and my budget. He set me up with backup generators, panel replacement, panel repairs, and rewiring. Wo...
I have worked with Bob and ABC Electric for several years now. I had him install my generator back-up system and also an electric charging station. He also comes out for annual service for my generato...
Bob and his team were great to work with!
Holderby Electric
Always ready to go above and beyond. Always punctual and get the job done quickly. Love theses guys
Shane showed up at 9pm and detected the problem. We were able to get the power company out there to repair on their end before morning. Very professional.
Consider ABC Electric if...
- ✓ Your project involves planned upgrades like backup generator systems, electrical panel replacement, EV charging stations, or whole-home rewiring where custom planning and budget discussion matter
- ✓ You want the liability protection of confirmed workers compensation coverage, eliminating concerns about injury-related claims against your homeowner's policy
- ✓ You value working directly with an owner who develops customized solutions and maintains ongoing service relationships with repeat customers
- ✓ Your timeline is flexible enough to prioritize thorough planning over emergency availability
Consider Holderby Electric if...
- ✓ You need emergency electrical diagnostics or urgent repairs and value Holderby's demonstrated responsiveness to late-night and critical situations
- ✓ Your project benefits from a veteran contractor's 24 years of experience diagnosing complex or unusual electrical problems
- ✓ You're willing to verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accept the additional liability risk from missing workers compensation
- ✓ You need quick, efficient service completion rather than extensive project planning and customization
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Holderby Electric: Ask specifically about liability insurance coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if a worker is injured on your property without the contractor carrying workers comp
- → For ABC Electric: Ask for references from projects similar to yours, particularly if your electrical work involves diagnosing older systems where Holderby's additional 17 years of experience might matter
- → For both: Ask about their availability for your timeline and whether they've handled your specific type of project recently, given their different review patterns around planned upgrades versus emergency work
The Bottom Line
For most planned electrical projects including generator installations, panel upgrades, rewiring, or EV charging stations, ABC Electric is the safer choice with full insurance compliance, demonstrated expertise in these project types, and strong customer relationships. The workers compensation coverage alone provides significant liability protection worth prioritizing. However, if you face an urgent electrical emergency requiring immediate diagnostics and are willing to verify your insurance coverage for contractor injuries, Holderby's 24-year track record and documented emergency responsiveness make them worth considering. Before hiring Holderby for any project, get written confirmation from your homeowner's insurance about your coverage if a worker is injured. For standard residential upgrades where you're choosing this week, ABC Electric offers the better combination of relevant experience and complete protection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
That depends on your risk tolerance and project type. For emergency diagnostics on complex problems, that experience is valuable. However, the workers comp gap is a real liability issue, not just paperwork. If a worker is injured at your home, you could face direct financial exposure. Check with your homeowner's insurance before deciding, and understand that ABC's seven years still qualifies as experienced, not new to the trade.
ABC Electric's customer feedback specifically highlights panel replacements and upgrades as a core service area, with customers mentioning budget-conscious planning and customized solutions. While Holderby certainly has the technical capability after 24 years, their reviews emphasize emergency work rather than planned upgrades. ABC appears better positioned for this type of project based on demonstrated customer experience.
You need to ask your insurance agent directly whether your policy covers injuries to uninsured contractors and what the implications are for your premiums or liability limits. Some policies explicitly exclude this coverage. Don't assume you're protected without written confirmation from your insurer.
Seven years of active licensing qualifies ABC as experienced, not a newcomer. The company has handled rewiring projects, generator installations, and panel work that require substantial expertise. The meaningful question is whether your specific project involves unusual complications where Holderby's additional 17 years would provide an advantage, which you can assess by asking both contractors about similar past projects.
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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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