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Hooked On Solar vs DLM Electric
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Hooked On Solar brings solar-specific expertise with workers comp coverage, while DLM Electric has deeper electrical experience but lacks workers comp insurance on file.
| Hooked On Solar | DLM Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.4 | ★ 3.0 |
| Years Licensed | 16 years | 29 years |
| License # | 949707 | 726257 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Rocklin, CA | Rocklin, CA |
| Website | www.hookedonsolar.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Hooked On Solar
Customers consistently praise organized installation crews, thorough communication throughout the project timeline, and expertise handling permitting and utility coordination.
Key Takeaway: Hooked On Solar has documented customer feedback demonstrating their project management and communication approach, while DLM Electric has no available reviews to evaluate their solar installation experience or customer service.
Customer Reviews
Hooked On Solar
I would recommend Hooked on Solar. I know they were really busy this fall and they worked hard to get us installed before the end of the year, even with some unexpected hurdles (that they had no contr...
We were very pleased with our experience working with Hooked On Solar to get our solar project completed. From our initial contact and all the way through the project everyone we spoke with was knowle...
Solid company. The staff were communicative and helpful. Did everything they said they would. I'd use them again.
DLM Electric
Always on time and does a great job
Consider Hooked On Solar if...
- ✓ Your project involves solar panel installation, battery backup systems like Tesla Powerwall or Franklin batteries, or expanding an existing solar system where solar-specific expertise is essential
- ✓ You want workers compensation coverage protecting you from liability if installation crew members are injured on your property
- ✓ You value documented customer feedback showing consistent communication, organized crews, and experience with permitting and utility coordination
- ✓ Your installation requires HOA approval or coordination with local utilities, where Hooked On Solar has demonstrated experience navigating these processes
Consider DLM Electric if...
- ✓ Your project is primarily electrical work unrelated to solar installation, where DLM's 29 years of general electrical experience would be more relevant
- ✓ You need an electrical contractor for work like panel upgrades, rewiring, or electrical troubleshooting rather than solar-specific installations
- ✓ You're prepared to verify workers comp coverage directly and confirm your homeowner's policy covers contractor injuries if coverage isn't in place
- ✓ You're willing to thoroughly vet their solar installation experience, as their background is electrical work rather than solar specialization
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask DLM Electric directly about workers compensation coverage and request proof of insurance; confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're covered if they don't carry it
- → Ask DLM Electric how many solar installations they've completed, their experience with Tesla Powerwall or Franklin battery systems, and references from recent solar projects
- → Ask both companies about their specific experience with your utility company's interconnection process and typical timeline from installation to system activation
- → Ask DLM Electric why customer reviews aren't available and request contact information for at least three recent solar customers you can speak with directly
The Bottom Line
For a solar installation project, Hooked On Solar is the clearer choice for most homeowners. Their solar specialization means they've navigated the permitting, utility coordination, and technical integration challenges your project will face hundreds of times. They carry workers comp insurance, protecting you from significant liability exposure. Customer feedback consistently highlights their communication and project management, giving you visibility into what working with them looks like. DLM Electric's 29 years of electrical experience is impressive for electrical work, but their lack of workers comp coverage creates real financial risk, and their limited solar-specific track record means you'd be taking a chance on their ability to handle utility coordination and solar permitting efficiently. Unless DLM can provide proof of workers comp and multiple references from recent solar projects similar to yours, Hooked On Solar offers substantially less risk for your solar installation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For solar installation, specialization matters more than general electrical experience. Solar projects require specific expertise in permitting, utility interconnections, battery system integration, and solar-specific code requirements that general electrical work doesn't cover. DLM's 29 years of electrical experience is valuable for electrical projects, but Hooked On Solar's 16 years focused exclusively on solar means they've likely completed hundreds more solar installations and navigated the specific challenges your project will face.
If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor doesn't carry workers comp, your homeowner's insurance may be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, and liability claims, which could reach tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some homeowner policies exclude coverage for contractor injuries, leaving you personally liable. Before hiring any contractor without workers comp, call your insurance agent to understand your specific exposure and whether additional coverage is needed.
The lack of available reviews makes it difficult to evaluate their communication style, project management, or solar installation quality. This could mean they're primarily doing commercial work, don't actively collect feedback, or haven't done many solar projects. Ask them directly for references from recent solar installations similar to yours, and actually call those references to ask about their experience.
Any licensed electrical contractor can technically perform solar installations, but navigating utility interconnection agreements, solar-specific permitting, HOA approvals, and inspection requirements requires specialized knowledge. Ask DLM directly about their experience with your specific utility company and how many solar projects they've completed in the past year. Hooked On Solar has documented customer feedback specifically praising their handling of these processes, which reduces your risk of permit delays or utility connection issues.
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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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