Compare Local Pros
Peter Ellis Construction vs Upvalley Electric
Napa Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Peter Ellis Construction offers 41 years of licensed experience versus Upvalley Electric's 14 years, but Upvalley specializes exclusively in electrical work.
| Peter Ellis Construction | Upvalley Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.3 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 41 years | 14 years |
| License # | 476364 | 970007 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | American Canyon, CA | St Helena, CA |
| Website | www.peterellisconstruction.com | www.upvalleyelectric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Peter Ellis Construction
Customers consistently highlight Peter Ellis Construction's punctuality, communication throughout projects, and crews who explain technical work clearly.
Key Takeaway: Peter Ellis has documented feedback patterns showing reliable communication and timely completion, while Upvalley Electric lacks sufficient review data to identify customer experience patterns.
Customer Reviews
Peter Ellis Construction
Two people showed up on time, they knew what they were doing, explained my error, did the repair for reasonable price and left. Five stars all the way around.
Peter Ellis Construction has been the model of good communication and support, and excellent work..
Five stars for the staff and the entire internal team!
Upvalley Electric
I've worked on projects with Jeff for 19 years. Great electrician, and has some good guys working for him too!
Consider Peter Ellis Construction if...
- ✓ You need multiple trades coordinated (electrical work as part of a larger renovation or restoration project)
- ✓ You want to review extensive customer feedback about communication style, punctuality, and how crews explain technical work before committing
- ✓ Your project might uncover unexpected issues that require veteran diagnostic skills from someone who has seen similar situations over four decades
- ✓ You value a documented track record of handling diverse project types including emergency restoration work
Consider Upvalley Electric if...
- ✓ Your project is purely electrical with no other trades involved, and you prefer a specialist who focuses exclusively on electrical systems
- ✓ You're comfortable evaluating a contractor primarily through direct conversation and reference checks rather than extensive online reviews
- ✓ Your electrical work requires deep familiarity with current electrical code and specialty systems that benefit from focused expertise
- ✓ You're located in St Helena and prefer a contractor based in your immediate area
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Upvalley Electric for at least three recent references from projects similar in scope to yours, and actually call them to ask about communication, timeliness, and problem-solving
- → Ask Peter Ellis Construction who specifically will handle the electrical portions of your project and what their electrical experience level is
- → Request detailed written estimates from both that break down labor, materials, and timeline so you can compare their approaches
- → Ask both contractors how they handle unexpected issues discovered during electrical work, including pricing and timeline adjustments
The Bottom Line
For purely electrical projects where you can invest time checking references directly, Upvalley Electric offers focused specialization. However, Peter Ellis Construction presents a lower-risk choice for most homeowners: 41 years of experience means they've handled complications you can't anticipate, substantial customer feedback documents their communication and reliability, and their multi-trade capability helps if your electrical work uncovers related issues. Unless you specifically need electrical specialization or are located in St Helena, Peter Ellis's veteran experience and documented track record make them the safer bet for a decision you need to make this week.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, especially if your project might uncover hidden problems. A contractor licensed since 1984 has diagnosed thousands of scenarios that a 14-year contractor simply hasn't encountered yet. However, Upvalley's focused electrical specialization may offset some of that gap for straightforward electrical projects.
It means you'll need to do more direct due diligence. Request references and actually call them. Ask specific questions about communication, how they handled surprises, and whether they completed on time and budget. Peter Ellis's documented feedback gives you more data points without extra legwork.
If your electrical project connects to other work like drywall repair, painting, or structural modifications, Peter Ellis can coordinate all trades. For standalone electrical service upgrades or installations, a dedicated electrical contractor like Upvalley may provide more focused expertise.
Some Peter Ellis customers found pricing reasonable while others thought it high, which is common for experienced contractors who charge for their expertise. Get detailed written estimates from both contractors that itemize labor and materials, then compare what you're actually getting for the price, not just the bottom line.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Napa.
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.