Mclain Hayter Electric vs Tofft Electrical Services
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Tofft brings nine years of experience and workers comp protection, while Mclain Hayter offers proven customer service but carries liability risks.
| Mclain Hayter Electric | Tofft Electrical Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.8 |
| Years Licensed | 1 years | 9 years |
| License # | 1130095 | 1022453 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Granite Bay, CA | Lincoln, CA |
| Website | www.instagram.com | tofftservicesca.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Mclain Hayter Electric
Customers consistently emphasize Mclain Hayter's responsiveness, thoroughness, and reliability, with multiple clients noting punctuality, detailed work, and clean worksites across various project types.
Key Takeaway: Mclain Hayter has substantial documented customer feedback showing strong service patterns, while Tofft's service quality and communication style remain unverified through customer reviews.
Customer Reviews
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!
Tofft Electrical Services
No reviews available
Consider Mclain Hayter Electric if...
- ✓ You have a straightforward project like outlet installation, ceiling fan work, or standard electrical repairs where code compliance is clear and complications are unlikely
- ✓ You've confirmed your homeowner's insurance policy covers contractor injuries, or you're comfortable requiring the contractor to secure project-specific coverage
- ✓ Responsive communication and documented reliability matter significantly to you, and you value the detailed customer feedback showing punctuality and worksite cleanliness
- ✓ You're working on a timeline where established customer service patterns provide confidence in project completion
Consider Tofft Electrical Services if...
- ✓ Your project involves older home electrical systems, panel upgrades, or complex troubleshooting where years of field experience diagnosing hidden problems provides meaningful value
- ✓ You want the liability protection of workers compensation insurance without needing to verify your own policy coverage or negotiate additional protections
- ✓ You're willing to conduct your own due diligence on service quality through direct conversations and reference checks given the limited review history
- ✓ Your electrical work requires permit navigation or involves working with inspectors where a nine-year track record of compliance offers reassurance
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Mclain Hayter: Ask to see proof of liability insurance and confirm whether your homeowner's policy covers injuries to uninsured contractors, or request that project-specific workers comp coverage be secured before work begins
- → For Tofft: Ask for at least three references from projects completed in the past year, specifically requesting contact information for jobs similar in scope to yours
- → For both: Ask how they handle unexpected complications like discovering outdated wiring or code violations, and whether their quoted price includes fixing those issues or requires change orders
- → For Mclain Hayter: Given the newer license status, ask about the owner's total years working as an electrician before licensing, as many contractors work under other licenses before obtaining their own
The Bottom Line
For straightforward electrical projects where you can verify insurance coverage or accept the liability risk, Mclain Hayter Electric offers documented responsive service and thorough workmanship that multiple customers have praised. For complex electrical work, older home projects, or situations where you want full insurance protection without additional verification steps, Tofft's nine years of experience and workers comp coverage provide meaningful advantages despite limited customer feedback. Most homeowners should lean toward Tofft unless the project is simple and they've confirmed insurance coverage, in which case Mclain Hayter's proven customer service approach offers real value. Either way, verify references directly and get detailed written estimates before committing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If an electrician is injured while working on your property, you could potentially be held liable for medical costs and lost wages. Some homeowner's insurance policies cover this scenario, but many don't or have significant limitations. Before hiring any contractor without workers comp, call your insurance agent to understand your exposure and consider requiring the contractor to obtain project-specific coverage.
It depends on your project complexity. For straightforward installations and repairs with clear code requirements, one year is generally sufficient, especially if the owner worked as an electrician before obtaining their own license. For complex troubleshooting in older homes, panel upgrades, or situations likely to reveal hidden problems, nine years of experience means having encountered and solved issues a newer contractor hasn't faced yet.
Not necessarily, but it requires more due diligence on your part. Some established contractors simply don't prioritize online reviews, focusing instead on repeat customers and referrals. Before hiring, ask for recent references and actually call them to ask about communication, work quality, and how unexpected issues were handled. Their responses will tell you what reviews would have shown.
That depends on your project and priorities. If you're dealing with complex electrical problems in an older home where diagnosing hidden issues matters more than hand-holding, experience may outweigh service style. For straightforward projects where things are unlikely to go wrong, responsive communication and proven reliability might matter more than years of troubleshooting experience you won't need.
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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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