Compare Local Pros
Coldwell Energy vs DLM Electric
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Established solar specialist with workers comp and strong reviews versus veteran electrical contractor without workers comp or review history.
| Coldwell Energy | DLM Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 3.0 |
| Years Licensed | 14 years | 29 years |
| License # | 969149 | 726257 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Rocklin, CA | Rocklin, CA |
| Website | coldwellenergy.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Coldwell Energy
Customers consistently highlight smooth installations, professional workmanship, and responsive service including direct owner engagement to resolve concerns.
Key Takeaway: Coldwell Energy has documented customer satisfaction across multiple solar project types while DLM Electric has no available feedback to assess current service quality or customer experience.
Customer Reviews
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.
DLM Electric
Always on time and does a great job
Consider Coldwell Energy if...
- ✓ You're installing a solar system and want a contractor with documented solar-specific expertise in residential and agricultural projects
- ✓ Workers compensation coverage is important to you to avoid potential liability exposure on your property
- ✓ You value being able to verify customer satisfaction and service quality through recent project feedback
- ✓ You want a contractor where owner involvement in problem resolution has been demonstrated
Consider DLM Electric if...
- ✓ You need general electrical work rather than solar installation and value nearly three decades of electrical trade experience
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying workers comp coverage independently or accepting the liability risk associated with uninsured contractor work
- ✓ The company's 29-year longevity in the region matters more to you than recent customer feedback
- ✓ You prefer to conduct your own reference checks rather than relying on published reviews
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask DLM Electric directly about their workers compensation status and request a certificate of insurance; confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're covered for contractor injuries if they don't carry workers comp
- → Request references from DLM Electric for recent projects similar to yours, including contact information you can verify independently
- → Ask DLM Electric how long their current crew has been together and whether they use subcontractors who carry their own workers comp coverage
- → If choosing Coldwell Energy for solar, ask about their experience with your specific system type and whether they handle all permitting and utility interconnection processes
The Bottom Line
For solar installations, Coldwell Energy is the clear choice with specialized experience, workers compensation coverage protecting you from liability, and documented customer satisfaction showing professional execution and responsive service. Their 14 years focused on renewable energy provides relevant expertise that matters more than general electrical experience for these projects. If you're considering DLM Electric, you must first resolve the workers comp issue and obtain verifiable references from recent solar projects. Don't proceed with any contractor lacking workers comp without confirming your homeowner's policy covers contractor injuries—this liability exposure is too significant to ignore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor doesn't carry workers compensation, you could be held liable for medical bills and lost wages. Before hiring DLM Electric, you should verify whether they've since obtained coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance that you're protected. This is a significant financial risk that shouldn't be overlooked.
General electrical experience doesn't automatically translate to solar expertise. Solar installations require specific knowledge of array design, structural load calculations, inverter sizing, utility interconnection, and renewable energy incentive programs. Coldwell Energy's 14 years focused on solar likely provides more relevant experience than DLM Electric's broader electrical background unless DLM has a solar division they can demonstrate.
This could mean several things: they may primarily work through referrals, focus on commercial rather than residential projects, or simply haven't prioritized online presence. The lack of reviews isn't necessarily negative, but it does mean you'll need to request references directly and verify them independently before hiring.
For the electrical components specifically, both hold valid contractor licenses. However, solar projects involve more than just electrical work—they require structural assessment, system design, permitting coordination, and utility paperwork. Coldwell Energy's track record with residential and agricultural solar suggests they handle the full scope, while you'd need to verify DLM Electric's solar-specific capabilities directly.
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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