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California Renewable Energy vs High West Electric
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a multi-service renewable energy contractor with workers comp to a newer electrical specialist without coverage on file.
| California Renewable Energy | High West Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 5 years | 2 years |
| License # | 1068801 | 1121457 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Roseville, CA | Rocklin, CA |
| Website | care.green | www.highwest-electric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
California Renewable Energy
Customers consistently praise California Renewable Energy's financing flexibility and coordination across multiple project types, with regular communication throughout installations.
High West Electric
High West Electric receives strong feedback for transparent pricing, punctual service, and taking time to educate customers about electrical issues and solutions.
Key Takeaway: California Renewable Energy customers emphasize budget accommodation and multi-service coordination, while High West Electric customers focus on fair pricing and direct educational communication for electrical-specific work.
Customer Reviews
California Renewable Energy
Had new heatpump and energy efficient water tank installed. Contracted work to other installation companies. Managed install work for both with no issues. I would use them again.
Jeff was very easy and pleasant to talk to about the cost of a new roof and gutters
Thomas and Brent with California Renewable Energy are amazing!! They walked us through every step, they addressed any questions or concerns we had right away, both are very friendly/professional and m...
High West Electric
We recently had Mike come out to help with some electrical issues, and I couldn't be happier with the service. He was on time, friendly, snd well equipped. He took the time to explain what the problem...
Mike of High West Electric is incredible. He replaced the breaker box in my mobile homes wiring. Very trustworthy, great customer service and overall genuine guy and company. I'll highly recommend to ...
Mike went above and beyond to help me with my electrical needs. Communication was great and they very clearly laid out the plans and scope of the work. Very fair on price compared to other options we ...
Consider California Renewable Energy if...
- ✓ You need solar installation, roofing, HVAC, or window work alongside electrical services, since California Renewable Energy coordinates multiple home improvement categories under one contract.
- ✓ You want full insurance protection including workers compensation, eliminating your liability risk if installation crews are injured during your project.
- ✓ You need financing assistance or payment plans, as customers consistently mention the company's help navigating budget constraints and finding suitable programs.
- ✓ Your project involves coordinating multiple trades or systems, where California Renewable Energy's five years of experience managing complex installations provides valuable oversight.
Consider High West Electric if...
- ✓ Your project is strictly electrical work like panel upgrades, hot tub installations, or outlet additions where High West Electric's specialized focus is directly relevant.
- ✓ You value direct communication with the business owner and transparent pricing discussions before work begins, which customers consistently highlight in feedback.
- ✓ You have a smaller electrical job where High West's willingness to handle projects of all sizes may provide faster scheduling than larger contractors.
- ✓ You're willing to verify workers compensation coverage directly or accept potential liability, and confirm your homeowner's insurance adequately covers contractor injuries.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask High West Electric directly about current workers compensation insurance and request proof of coverage, or consult your homeowner's insurance agent about your liability exposure if they remain uninsured.
- → Ask High West Electric for references from projects completed in the past year, given their two years of licensing, to verify consistency and quality as a newer contractor.
- → Ask California Renewable Energy whether electrical work is performed by their own licensed electricians or coordinated through partner companies, and who manages quality control.
- → Ask both contractors for detailed written estimates including timeline, scope boundaries, and warranty terms specific to your electrical project needs.
The Bottom Line
If your project is exclusively electrical work and you can verify workers compensation coverage or accept the liability risk, High West Electric offers specialized electrical service with fair pricing and strong communication at two years of experience. However, for most homeowners, California Renewable Energy's full insurance coverage, five years of licensing experience, and ability to coordinate electrical work within larger projects makes them the safer choice—particularly if you need solar, HVAC, roofing, or multi-system coordination. The workers comp issue with High West isn't minor; it's a real financial risk. If you prefer High West's pricing or specialized focus, insist on proof of current workers compensation insurance before signing any contract.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it matters regardless of project size. If an electrician is injured at your home—even during a simple outlet installation—you could be liable for their medical bills and lost wages if they lack workers compensation coverage. Before hiring High West, verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries or insist they provide proof of current coverage.
California Renewable Energy coordinates electrical work as part of their solar, HVAC, and home improvement projects, but you should ask whether they employ their own licensed electricians or subcontract electrical portions. High West Electric focuses exclusively on electrical services with direct owner involvement, which may provide more specialized attention for standalone electrical projects like panel upgrades or troubleshooting.
Two years of licensing is relatively new, but High West receives positive feedback for panel replacements and complex installations like hot tub wiring. The key is asking for recent references from similar projects and verifying their work is permitted and inspected. Their newer status means less track record for handling unexpected complications compared to California Renewable Energy's five-year history.
Using California Renewable Energy for both simplifies coordination and creates single-point accountability, plus their experience includes solar projects with electrical integration. However, you should clarify how they handle the electrical portions and whether separate contracts are involved. If you prefer specialized electrical attention, you could hire High West for electrical prep work before solar installation, though this requires you to coordinate between contractors.
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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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