Compare Local Pros
Coldwell Energy vs Iknow Electric
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a solar installation specialist with workers comp to a general electrician without it—choose based on your project type and liability comfort.
| Coldwell Energy | Iknow Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 14 years | 6 years |
| License # | 969149 | 1063063 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Rocklin, CA | Rocklin, CA |
| Website | coldwellenergy.com | www.iknowelectric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Coldwell Energy
Customers emphasize smooth, organized installations with professional execution and effective systems performance, plus responsive customer service when issues need attention.
Iknow Electric
Customers consistently highlight remarkably quick response times, clear explanations of diagnostic findings, and professional conduct throughout projects with clean job sites.
Key Takeaway: Coldwell's customers focus on systematic project execution and long-term system performance, while Iknow's customers prioritize rapid availability and educational communication during 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.
Iknow Electric
I love being able to give a "hell yeah" to any specialist and Erik is awesome. We moved into a place that didn't have an EV charger and he was able to get everything done on-time and the highest quali...
I hired Iknowelectric to install Tesla Wall charger in my garage. Erik showed up right on time, explained everything clearly, and worked efficiently. The job was completed neatly, and they cleaned up ...
Called and Erik showed up within an hour. My whole house fan and AC unit weren't working. He diagnosed the electrical problem quickly and fixed it better than it previously was. I plan on having hi...
Consider Coldwell Energy if...
- ✓ You're installing a solar system, either residential or agricultural scale, and need a contractor who specializes in renewable energy with extensive permitting and utility interconnection experience.
- ✓ You want full insurance protection without having to verify your homeowner's policy covers contractor injuries or worry about liability exposure during the project.
- ✓ Your project may involve older roof structures or complex electrical integration where 14 years of diagnostic experience helps identify hidden issues before they become expensive problems.
- ✓ You value established operational systems and a track record handling both routine installations and resolving issues when they arise, as evidenced by direct owner engagement to address concerns.
Consider Iknow Electric if...
- ✓ You need general electrical work like EV charger installation, panel upgrades, circuit repairs, or lighting installations rather than solar system installation.
- ✓ Quick response matters significantly—you have an urgent electrical issue and need same-day or next-day availability that the owner-operated model provides.
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accepting potential liability exposure, or you confirm the owner carries adequate personal coverage.
- ✓ You prefer working directly with the business owner throughout the project, with hands-on execution and detailed explanations of diagnostic findings and recommended solutions.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Iknow Electric: Ask specifically about liability coverage and verify with your homeowner's insurance whether you're covered if the contractor is injured on your property, and what impact a claim might have on your policy.
- → For Iknow Electric: Confirm whether the owner carries personal accident insurance or other coverage that would apply during work on your property, and request documentation.
- → For either company: Ask for references from projects matching your specific scope, particularly for Iknow Electric if your electrical work involves complex diagnostics or for Coldwell if you have roof condition concerns.
- → For Coldwell Energy: Clarify their experience with your specific type of installation (residential vs. agricultural, roof-mounted vs. ground-mounted) and ask about their process for handling utility interconnection and permitting.
The Bottom Line
If you're installing solar, choose Coldwell Energy—they specialize in it, carry full insurance coverage, and have 14 years of experience navigating the technical and regulatory complexities of renewable energy systems. If you need general electrical work, Iknow Electric is your option here, offering quick response and hands-on owner service, but you must address the workers comp gap before hiring by confirming your liability exposure with your insurance agent. Don't hire Iknow without understanding what happens if someone gets injured on your property. These contractors serve different markets with different risk profiles—match your choice to both your project type and your comfort with the insurance situation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If the owner or anyone helping him is injured while working on your property, your homeowner's insurance may become the primary coverage for medical bills and lost wages. This could result in a claim against your policy, potentially affecting your premiums or future coverage. Before hiring, call your insurance agent to confirm your coverage and understand the risks.
While Iknow Electric handles panel upgrades and general electrical work, solar installations involve specialized knowledge of DC systems, inverter integration, utility interconnection agreements, and renewable energy permitting that Coldwell Energy has developed over 14 years of focused practice. If you're installing solar, you need Coldwell or a similar solar specialist, not a general electrician.
For straightforward tasks like outlet installation or basic EV charger work, 6 years is adequate experience. However, for complex diagnostics, older home electrical systems, or situations where hidden problems might exist behind walls or in panels, 14 years means more exposure to unusual failures and code evolution. Iknow Electric's customer feedback shows strong diagnostic capability despite the shorter timeline.
You wouldn't if both offered the service you need. But if you need general electrical work rather than solar installation, Iknow Electric is your only option between these two. In that case, address the insurance gap directly by verifying coverage with your homeowner's policy and confirming what liability protection the contractor carries before signing a contract.
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 13, 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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