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California Renewable Energy vs Mclain Hayter Electric
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
These contractors serve completely different needs: California Renewable Energy specializes in solar and home energy systems, while Mclain Hayter Electric handles electrical work only.
| California Renewable Energy | Mclain Hayter Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 5 years | 1 years |
| License # | 1068801 | 1130095 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Roseville, CA | Granite Bay, CA |
| Website | care.green | www.instagram.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
California Renewable Energy
Customers emphasize California Renewable Energy's financing assistance, responsive communication throughout multi-trade projects, and thorough consultations explaining energy system options.
Mclain Hayter Electric
Customers consistently highlight Mclain Hayter Electric's meticulous attention to detail, worksite cleanliness, and punctual, reliable service for electrical projects.
Key Takeaway: California Renewable Energy feedback centers on project coordination and financing for major investments, while Mclain Hayter Electric earns praise for detail-oriented craftsmanship on focused electrical tasks.
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...
Mclain Hayter Electric
McLain goes above and beyond when it comes to making sure his clients get their needs taken care of. He got our ac up and running after an electrical issue caused us to not have ac. Thankfully he was ...
McLain helped us with ceiling fan installations. His attention to detail is remarkable and he leaves a place cleaner than when he started. He's honest and punctual. BTW he loves dogs!! You won't be d...
McLain did all the electrical for our new house build last year. He was thorough, fast, and very responsive. As an added bonus, he does an excellent job cleaning up after he's done working!
Consider California Renewable Energy if...
- ✓ You're planning a solar installation, roof replacement, window upgrade, or HVAC system replacement that requires coordinating multiple trades and financing options.
- ✓ You need a contractor with workers compensation insurance to protect yourself from liability during installation projects.
- ✓ Your project involves significant investment where five years of licensing experience helps in navigating utility interconnections, permit processes, and energy rebate programs.
- ✓ You want assistance finding financing programs for home energy improvements that may qualify for tax incentives or special financing.
Consider Mclain Hayter Electric if...
- ✓ You need electrical-specific work like troubleshooting circuit issues, installing ceiling fans or outlets, or wiring for new construction.
- ✓ You're willing to verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries or are comfortable with the workers comp gap for a smaller electrical project.
- ✓ You value a detail-oriented electrician who customers consistently describe as thorough, punctual, and meticulous about cleaning work areas.
- ✓ Your project is straightforward electrical work rather than a complex multi-system energy improvement requiring trade coordination.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Mclain Hayter Electric: Ask directly about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance that you're protected if a contractor is injured on your property without workers comp.
- → For Mclain Hayter Electric: Given one year of licensure, ask for references from projects similar in scope to yours, especially if your electrical work is complex.
- → For California Renewable Energy: If considering solar or major energy systems, ask about their specific role versus partner installation companies and how warranty claims are handled.
- → For either company: Ask for a detailed written estimate with timeline, payment schedule, and specific responsibilities to ensure you understand what you're contracting for.
The Bottom Line
Choose based on what you actually need done. If you're installing solar panels, replacing your roof, upgrading windows, or installing HVAC systems, California Renewable Energy is the relevant contractor with five years of experience, workers comp coverage, and a track record coordinating complex energy projects. If you need electrical repairs, ceiling fans installed, outlets added, or new construction wiring, Mclain Hayter Electric specializes in exactly that work—but address the workers comp gap before signing a contract by verifying your liability coverage. These companies don't compete; your project type determines which one makes sense.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You're right to notice the disconnect. This comparison only makes sense in narrow scenarios: perhaps you're deciding whether to do a full solar installation with California Renewable Energy or just upgrade your electrical panel with Mclain Hayter Electric first. Or you might be considering whether to bundle electrical work into a larger energy project versus hiring a dedicated electrician. For most homeowners, your project type will determine which contractor is even relevant.
It matters significantly. If Mclain Hayter Electric or a subcontractor is injured on your property without workers comp coverage, your homeowner's insurance may become the primary payer, potentially increasing your premiums or exposing you to lawsuits. Before hiring any contractor without workers comp, call your insurance agent to understand your coverage and liability. For California Renewable Energy's larger projects involving multiple trades over several days, workers comp provides essential protection.
One year of licensing doesn't necessarily mean one year of electrical experience—the contractor may have worked for years under someone else's license before obtaining their own. However, newer licensure does mean less experience navigating permit issues, warranty claims, and complex problem-solving as a business owner. For straightforward electrical repairs or installations, this matters less than for complex troubleshooting or whole-house electrical upgrades where experience identifying hidden issues is valuable.
Solar installations require electrical work for interconnection, panel upgrades, and system wiring, which California Renewable Energy coordinates through their installation partners. However, if you need standalone electrical work unrelated to renewable energy systems, that's outside their service focus. The company manages multi-trade projects but specializes in energy systems rather than general electrical contracting.
Looking for the Best?
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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