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Carnahan Electric vs Clearview Electric
El Dorado Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Carnahan Electric brings 44 years of diagnostic expertise with full insurance, while Clearview Electric lacks workers compensation coverage despite strong customer service.
| Carnahan Electric | Clearview Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 44 years | 7 years |
| License # | 423462 | 1046462 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Diamond Springs, CA | South Lake Tahoe, CA |
| Website | www.carnahanelectric.com | www.clearviewelectrician.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Carnahan Electric
Customers emphasize Carnahan's ability to solve complex problems other contractors couldn't diagnose, with technical expertise and experienced technicians completing work on schedule.
Clearview Electric
Customers consistently praise Clearview's cost-saving phone troubleshooting, detailed explanations, and willingness to provide honest recommendations even when it means less revenue.
Key Takeaway: Carnahan is called in after diagnostic failures by other contractors, while Clearview is praised for proactively avoiding unnecessary service calls through remote troubleshooting.
Customer Reviews
Carnahan Electric
We had a potentially devastating electrical problem at our house that two other electrical companies couldn't solve. With estimated repairs being anywhere from 3k to 13k depending on what they found. ...
We appreciate Carnahan's knowledge and expertise. Techs are experienced and can get the job done. On-time and professional. Thank you Carnahan for taking care of our electrical needs
Fantastic company with tins of knowledge! I appreciate supporting local businesses that the owner himself picks up the phone. Carnahan is widely respected in the community for superior service and ...
Clearview Electric
Had the most amazing experience with Allen. We've been out of power for three days and he came to us through traffic and weather on a Sunday to make sure we got it back on. He was so lovely and also g...
I mistakenly hit a one star on my review of Allen at Clearview electric. I have tried to edit but failed. I found his weekend service to be excellent. Thanks Allen and I hope this clears things up. If...
Allen was very nice, knowledgeable and came quickly to assess the issue
Consider Carnahan Electric if...
- ✓ Your electrical problem is complex, intermittent, or has stumped other contractors—Carnahan's 44 years means they've diagnosed issues others haven't encountered
- ✓ You want complete insurance protection without relying on your homeowner's policy to cover potential worker injuries
- ✓ You need generator service or Generac-specific expertise, which Carnahan explicitly specializes in
- ✓ Your project involves older electrical systems or unusual configurations where decades of experience provide diagnostic advantage
Consider Clearview Electric if...
- ✓ You're located in South Lake Tahoe or need a contractor familiar with mountain home electrical challenges and vacation property coordination
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accepting that liability risk
- ✓ Your project is straightforward—panel upgrades, EV charging installation, or circuit additions where seven years of experience is sufficient
- ✓ You value detailed cost explanations and a contractor who troubleshoots over the phone to minimize unnecessary service calls
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Clearview Electric: Ask directly about liability insurance coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if a worker is injured during the project
- → For Clearview Electric: Request references from projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if your work involves complex diagnostics rather than standard installations
- → For both companies: Ask about their specific experience with your type of electrical issue or system, especially if it involves older wiring or equipment
The Bottom Line
Carnahan Electric is the stronger choice for most homeowners due to complete insurance protection and 44 years of diagnostic expertise that matters when electrical problems aren't straightforward. The workers compensation gap with Clearview creates real liability risk you shouldn't accept unless your homeowner's insurance explicitly covers it. If you're in South Lake Tahoe with a straightforward project like a panel upgrade or EV charger installation, and you've verified insurance coverage, Clearview's seven years of experience is adequate and their cost-conscious approach has value. For complex troubleshooting, generator work, or if you simply want full insurance protection without investigating your own policy, choose Carnahan.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward projects like outlet installation or simple circuit additions, seven years is adequate experience. The gap becomes critical when problems require diagnostic expertise—intermittent issues, older homes with undocumented modifications, or complex system integration. Carnahan's four decades mean they've encountered problems that simply didn't exist when Clearview started, particularly with older electrical systems common in El Dorado County.
If a Clearview worker is injured at your property, your homeowner's insurance may become the primary coverage for medical bills and lost wages, potentially affecting your rates or coverage. Call your insurance agent before hiring to understand your policy's contractor injury provisions. This isn't a theoretical concern—electrical work involves real injury risks from falls, electrical shock, and equipment accidents.
Yes, both contractors serve El Dorado County broadly. However, Clearview has developed specific expertise with mountain home challenges and South Lake Tahoe utility coordination, while Carnahan operates from Diamond Springs with 44 years of regional knowledge. Location matters less than the insurance and experience factors for most homeowners.
Both demonstrate strong same-day and emergency response capabilities based on customer feedback. Clearview shows a pattern of phone troubleshooting to potentially resolve issues remotely, while Carnahan emphasizes bringing experienced technicians for on-site diagnostics. For emergencies that are truly dangerous, either responds quickly; for complex diagnostics, Carnahan's depth gives them an edge.
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See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in El Dorado.
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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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