Compare Local Pros
Coldwell Energy vs High West Electric
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Coldwell Energy brings 14 years of solar installation experience with full insurance coverage, while High West Electric is a 2-year-old general electrical contractor without workers comp.
| Coldwell Energy | High West Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 14 years | 2 years |
| License # | 969149 | 1121457 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Rocklin, CA | Rocklin, CA |
| Website | coldwellenergy.com | www.highwest-electric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Coldwell Energy
Customers emphasize smooth solar installation processes with professional workmanship and effective systems, noting responsive resolution when concerns arise.
High West Electric
Customers highlight clear communication and transparent pricing discussions, appreciating thorough explanations of electrical issues across various residential project types.
Key Takeaway: Coldwell Energy's feedback centers on complex solar project execution and system performance, while High West Electric's reviews emphasize the customer service experience and communication quality on straightforward electrical service calls.
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.
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 Coldwell Energy if...
- ✓ You're installing a solar energy system, whether residential or agricultural scale, and need a contractor with specialized solar expertise and permitting knowledge.
- ✓ You want the risk protection that comes with full workers compensation coverage, eliminating potential liability if someone is injured during your project.
- ✓ Your project involves complex electrical integration, structural considerations, or utility interconnection where 14 years of experience diagnosing and solving problems matters.
- ✓ You're making a significant investment in a long-term energy system and prefer a contractor with an established track record and operational stability.
Consider High West Electric if...
- ✓ You need general residential electrical services like panel upgrades, hot tub hookups, or outlet installations rather than solar system work.
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying that your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accepting the associated liability risk to work with a newer company.
- ✓ You value detailed project explanations and transparent pricing discussions, which customers consistently highlight in their feedback.
- ✓ Your project is straightforward electrical work where extensive experience with edge cases is less critical than clear communication and fair pricing.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For High West Electric: Ask directly about liability insurance coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if a worker is injured on your property.
- → For High West Electric: Request references from electrical projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if your work involves complex panel upgrades or code compliance issues.
- → For both: If your project involves solar installation, ask High West Electric whether they have specific solar experience or if this falls outside their typical service scope.
- → For Coldwell Energy: If you need general electrical work unrelated to solar, confirm they handle that type of project or if their focus is exclusively solar installations.
The Bottom Line
These contractors serve different purposes. If you're installing solar, Coldwell Energy is the clear choice with specialized expertise, 14 years of proven execution, and full insurance protection that eliminates your liability risk. For general residential electrical work like panel upgrades or outlet installations, High West Electric offers responsive service and transparent pricing, but you must address the workers compensation gap by confirming your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries. Don't hire High West Electric for solar work, and confirm whether Coldwell Energy even handles non-solar electrical projects before reaching out. Match the contractor's specialization to your project type, and don't compromise on insurance coverage without understanding your exposure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
High West Electric is a general electrical contractor focused on residential service work like panel upgrades and outlet installations, not solar array installations. Coldwell Energy specializes specifically in solar systems with 14 years of experience navigating permitting, structural requirements, and utility interconnection. If you need solar installation, Coldwell Energy is the appropriate choice.
If a worker is injured at your home, you may be held liable for medical costs and lost wages if the contractor lacks workers compensation insurance. Your homeowner's insurance may cover this, but it could affect your premiums or result in a claim on your policy. You should contact your insurance agent before hiring a contractor without workers comp to understand your exposure.
Coldwell Energy focuses on solar installations, not general electrical service work. If you need a breaker panel replacement or outlet installation without solar components, their specialized experience is less relevant and High West Electric's service focus may be more appropriate. Experience matters most when it aligns with your specific project type.
Location and owner involvement are similarities, but they don't outweigh the fundamental differences in insurance protection, experience level, and project specialization. The 12-year experience gap and workers comp difference create meaningfully different risk profiles for homeowners, while their service focuses serve entirely different project needs.
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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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