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Coldwell Energy vs Mclain Hayter Electric
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Coldwell Energy brings 14 years of licensing and workers comp coverage versus Mclain Hayter's one year of experience and missing workers comp insurance.
| Coldwell Energy | Mclain Hayter Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 14 years | 1 years |
| License # | 969149 | 1130095 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Rocklin, CA | Granite Bay, CA |
| Website | coldwellenergy.com | www.instagram.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Coldwell Energy
Customers highlight smooth installations with professional workmanship across both residential and large-scale agricultural solar projects, with responsive leadership addressing concerns when they arise.
Mclain Hayter Electric
Customers emphasize thoroughness, punctuality, and reliability across repeat electrical service calls, with consistent mentions of clean worksites and honest pricing.
Key Takeaway: Coldwell's feedback centers on complex project execution and system performance, while Mclain Hayter's reviews focus on personal service qualities and repeat customer relationships for smaller residential tasks.
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.
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 Coldwell Energy if...
- ✓ You're installing solar panels or renewable energy systems requiring specialized knowledge of array design, structural load calculations, and utility interconnection processes that come with sustained industry experience.
- ✓ Workers compensation coverage is non-negotiable for you, and you want the liability protection that comes with a fully insured contractor working on your property.
- ✓ Your project involves agricultural or commercial-scale installations where 14 years of operational systems and permitting expertise reduces the risk of costly delays or code compliance issues.
- ✓ You value a contractor who has weathered multiple business cycles and building code updates, demonstrating both technical adaptation and business stability.
Consider Mclain Hayter Electric if...
- ✓ You need straightforward residential electrical work like outlet installation, ceiling fan wiring, AC electrical repair, or new home electrical systems rather than specialized renewable energy installations.
- ✓ You're willing to verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accept the liability implications of working with an uninsured contractor in exchange for potentially more availability for smaller jobs.
- ✓ Responsiveness and punctuality are your top priorities, and you're comfortable working with a newer contractor who shows strong customer service patterns but limited years handling complex complications.
- ✓ Your project is relatively simple with low likelihood of structural surprises, permit complications, or utility coordination challenges where deep experience provides measurable advantage.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Mclain Hayter directly about workers compensation coverage status and request documentation; confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether contractor injuries are covered and what that means for your premiums.
- → Ask Mclain Hayter for references from projects completed in the past year that match your project's scope and complexity, focusing on how unexpected issues were handled.
- → Ask Coldwell Energy about their specific experience with roof types and structural conditions similar to yours if considering solar installation, since older homes may have hidden issues that require diagnosis experience.
- → Confirm with both contractors how they handle permitting and inspections in your specific municipality, as processes vary across Placer County jurisdictions.
The Bottom Line
If you're installing solar or renewable energy systems, Coldwell Energy is the clear choice with 14 years of specialized experience and complete insurance coverage. For straightforward residential electrical work like repairs or basic installations, Mclain Hayter shows strong customer service patterns, but you must address the workers compensation gap directly—verify coverage status, understand your liability exposure, and confirm your homeowner's policy protects you if a worker is injured. The experience difference isn't trivial: one year versus 14 years means substantially fewer opportunities to handle complications that arise in older homes or complex projects. If your project has any complexity beyond routine electrical work, Coldwell's established track record provides meaningful risk reduction.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, because accidents happen regardless of care taken. Without workers comp, your homeowner's insurance becomes the primary coverage if someone is injured on your property, potentially increasing your premiums or requiring you to pay out of pocket. This isn't about trusting the contractor's carefulness—it's about protecting yourself from financial liability for workplace injuries that occur at your home.
For straightforward residential electrical tasks like outlet installation or ceiling fan wiring, one year can be sufficient if the contractor has prior experience working under other licenses. However, for complex troubleshooting, older home rewiring, or situations where hidden issues might emerge, 14 years of licensing means more exposure to complications and proven problem-solving. Ask Mclain Hayter about his total years working in electrical trades, not just as a licensed contractor.
While solar involves electrical connections, it also requires structural assessment, roof penetration expertise, array design, and utility interconnection knowledge that comes with specialized renewable energy experience. Coldwell Energy's 14 years focuses specifically on solar installations across residential and agricultural projects, providing depth in this specialty that a general electrical contractor building their practice may not have developed yet.
The bond provides equal baseline protection with both contractors, covering homeowners up to $25,000 if contracted work isn't completed as agreed. The bond is important but doesn't differentiate these companies. The meaningful insurance difference is workers compensation coverage, which protects you from injury liability rather than incomplete work. Focus your comparison on workers comp status and experience level rather than bond amount.
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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 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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