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Avallone Electric vs Coldwell Energy
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Avallone Electric brings four additional years of electrical experience but lacks workers compensation insurance, while Coldwell Energy specializes in solar installation with full insurance coverage.
| Avallone Electric | Coldwell Energy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 18 years | 14 years |
| License # | 919174 | 969149 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Roseville, CA | Rocklin, CA |
| Website | — | coldwellenergy.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Avallone Electric
Customers consistently emphasize Avallone's thorough, methodical approach to electrical work with detailed evaluations that ensure nothing is overlooked.
Coldwell Energy
Customers highlight Coldwell's smooth installation processes, professional workmanship across diverse solar projects, and responsive customer service when concerns arise.
Key Takeaway: Avallone's feedback centers on meticulous electrical assessment and quality dedication, while Coldwell's reviews emphasize organized project execution and effective system performance across both residential and large-scale agricultural solar installations.
Customer Reviews
Avallone Electric
Very good thorough service. We appreciate the dedication to quality and detail
Alex is very knowledgeable and detailed! He doesn't miss a thing! His experience shows!
Coldwell Energy
Update: After posting this review, I was contacted directly by Coldwell Solar's president, Sean, who assigned a team to work on our behalf to get the issues addressed. Coldwell has done an outstanding...
Super excited to be work with Coldwell Solar team on our next solar project. Check out their community solar program and the renewable solar credits. Huge opportunities to save on energy costs.
Coldwell Solar installed two arrays for us. The whole process went extremely smooth and the systems are working great.
Consider Avallone Electric if...
- ✓ You need traditional electrical services like panel upgrades, rewiring, troubleshooting, or code compliance work where 18 years of electrical-specific experience provides value in diagnosing hidden issues and navigating complex residential electrical systems.
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying that your homeowner's insurance adequately covers contractor injuries on your property, and you're willing to accept this liability risk in exchange for working with a veteran electrician.
- ✓ Your project requires the methodical, thorough evaluation approach that customers consistently note in reviews, particularly if you have an older home where attention to detail matters for safety and code compliance.
Consider Coldwell Energy if...
- ✓ You're installing solar panels, whether residential rooftop or larger commercial/agricultural arrays, and want a contractor with specific renewable energy expertise and a proven track record across diverse solar project types.
- ✓ Workers compensation insurance is a non-negotiable requirement for you, as it protects you from liability if someone is injured during your project and provides peace of mind throughout the installation.
- ✓ You value the combination of technical execution and customer service responsiveness that reviews emphasize, particularly the company's willingness to address concerns directly when they arise.
- ✓ Your project involves coordination of multiple installation phases where organized project management and smooth execution matter as much as technical expertise.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Avallone Electric whether they carry workers compensation insurance that isn't currently on file, and if not, contact your homeowner's insurance to confirm your policy covers contractor injuries and understand any premium implications.
- → If considering Avallone for solar work, ask specifically about their experience with solar installations, permitting, and interconnection processes, as their background is in traditional electrical rather than renewable energy systems.
- → If considering Coldwell for traditional electrical work, ask about their capacity for non-solar electrical projects, as their project portfolio and review feedback focus heavily on solar installations.
The Bottom Line
If you're installing solar panels, Coldwell Energy is the clear choice with specialized renewable energy experience, workers compensation insurance, and proven execution across residential and commercial solar projects. If you need traditional electrical work, Avallone Electric offers four additional years of electrical-specific expertise and customers praise their thoroughness, but you must address the workers compensation gap—verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries or request proof of coverage not currently on file. The insurance issue isn't a minor detail; it's a significant liability risk that protects you from potentially substantial costs if someone is injured during your project.
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Frequently Asked Questions
While licensed electricians can perform the electrical connections for solar systems, Coldwell Energy specializes specifically in solar installations with documented experience across residential and agricultural projects. Avallone's reviews emphasize traditional electrical work thoroughness rather than solar project experience. If you're installing solar, choosing a specialist with 14 years of renewable energy focus provides expertise in system design, panel mounting, inverter selection, and utility interconnection that goes beyond the electrical connection work.
It matters significantly. If a worker without coverage is injured on your property, you could face medical bills, lost wage claims, and liability lawsuits that your homeowner's insurance may or may not cover fully. Even if covered, claims can affect your insurance rates. Workers compensation insurance transfers this risk away from you entirely, which is why it's standard practice for established contractors to carry it.
For traditional electrical work, yes—18 years means Avallone has navigated multiple code cycles and encountered a wider range of unusual situations in older homes, which helps with diagnostic accuracy. However, this advantage only applies if you need electrical services. For solar installation, Coldwell's 14 years of renewable energy specialization is more relevant than Avallone's general electrical experience.
Avallone Electric is the traditional electrical contractor with 18 years focused on this type of work, and customer reviews emphasize their thorough approach to evaluations. However, the lack of workers compensation is a serious consideration for any project. You'd need to weigh Avallone's additional electrical experience against the liability protection Coldwell provides, and confirm Coldwell handles panel upgrades as part of their service offering beyond solar work.
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See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Placer.
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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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