Compare Local Pros
Holderby Electric vs Clearview Electric
El Dorado Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Holderby Electric brings 24 years of licensing versus Clearview's 7 years, but Clearview shows stronger customer engagement with phone troubleshooting and detailed explanations.
| Holderby Electric | Clearview Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 24 years | 7 years |
| License # | 799909 | 1046462 |
| Workers' Comp | — | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Placerville, CA | South Lake Tahoe, CA |
| Website | holderbyelectric.com | www.clearviewelectrician.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Holderby Electric
Customers emphasize Holderby's emergency responsiveness, punctual arrivals, and efficient completion of work with professional conduct.
Clearview Electric
Customers consistently highlight Clearview's phone troubleshooting to save money, detailed explanations throughout projects, and high owner involvement with same-day emergency availability.
Key Takeaway: Clearview shows significantly more customer engagement through remote troubleshooting and detailed project explanations, while Holderby's feedback focuses on speed and reliability without mentioning the consultative approach.
Customer Reviews
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.
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 Holderby Electric if...
- ✓ Your project involves complex diagnostics where 24 years of field experience matters, such as tracing intermittent electrical problems in older homes or dealing with unusual wiring configurations.
- ✓ You're located in Placerville or western El Dorado County where Holderby is based and response time matters.
- ✓ You value a veteran contractor's track record and the pattern recognition that comes from seeing thousands of electrical situations over decades.
- ✓ You need straightforward emergency response without extensive consultation—customers describe quick, efficient service completion.
Consider Clearview Electric if...
- ✓ You want a contractor who will troubleshoot over the phone first to potentially save you a service call, as multiple customers report problems resolved remotely without charge.
- ✓ Your project requires detailed explanations and transparent communication throughout the process, which customers consistently highlight.
- ✓ You're in South Lake Tahoe or have a mountain vacation property where Clearview has specific experience with local challenges and utility coordination.
- ✓ You need panel upgrades, EV charging installation, generator work, or whole-home backup systems—projects specifically mentioned in customer feedback.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask both contractors about liability coverage specifics and confirm with your homeowner's insurance that you're protected if a worker is injured on your property, since neither carries workers compensation.
- → Ask Holderby about their approach to customer communication during projects, since reviews emphasize speed but don't mention the detailed explanations that Clearview customers highlight.
- → Ask Clearview for references from projects similar in complexity to yours, particularly if your situation might benefit from Holderby's additional 17 years of field experience.
- → Ask about their specific experience with your property type—mountain homes for Clearview, or the particular challenges in your Placerville-area home for Holderby.
The Bottom Line
If you're in Placerville dealing with a complex diagnostic situation where 24 years of veteran experience could make the difference in identifying hidden problems, Holderby Electric is the stronger choice. For South Lake Tahoe properties or projects where transparent communication, detailed explanations, and honest money-saving advice matter as much as technical skill, Clearview Electric's approach makes them the better fit despite fewer years in business. Both lack workers compensation, so verify your liability coverage before hiring either. If you're geographically between them or have a straightforward project, let the service approach guide you: Holderby for efficient, fast completion; Clearview for involved consultation and education.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For complex diagnostic work, troubleshooting hidden problems in older homes, or unusual electrical situations, Holderby's additional 17 years represents significant added experience that could make a difference. However, for straightforward projects like panel upgrades, outlet installations, or EV charging where Clearview shows documented project breadth, the experience gap matters less than service approach and communication style. Seven years is still solid experience—it's not a new contractor learning the trade.
If a worker is injured on your property, you could be held liable for medical costs and lost wages since neither company has workers comp coverage. Before hiring either contractor, contact your homeowner's insurance to confirm your policy covers contractor injuries, or ask the contractor to provide proof of liability insurance that specifically covers worker injuries. This is a real financial risk you need to address before work begins.
It demonstrates two things: the owner's accessibility and their willingness to save you money rather than automatically scheduling paid service calls. Multiple customers report Clearview resolved their issues remotely without charge, which suggests honest business practices. It also means you're getting direct expertise upfront, potentially avoiding unnecessary service visits or helping you understand whether you have an emergency or something that can wait.
Yes, particularly for South Lake Tahoe properties. Clearview has specific experience with mountain homes, coordinates with local utilities, and understands challenges like snow load impacts on service equipment and older vacation property wiring. Response time also matters for emergencies—a contractor based 50+ miles away in different weather conditions may not reach you as quickly. For Placerville-area homes, Holderby's local presence offers the same advantage.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in El Dorado.
Other El Dorado Electrical Contractors Comparisons
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.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.