Compare Local Pros
Rme Innovations vs Iknow Electric
Placer Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
These contractors serve completely different needs: RME Innovations specializes in solar panel installations while Iknow Electric handles traditional electrical work including EV chargers.
| Rme Innovations | Iknow Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.3 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 5 years | 6 years |
| License # | 1077450 | 1063063 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Roseville, CA | Rocklin, CA |
| Website | www.rmeinnovations.com | www.iknowelectric.com |
Key Differences
Beyond specialization, insurance coverage differs critically. RME carries workers compensation insurance while Iknow Electric does not. This matters because if someone is injured during your project and the contractor lacks workers comp, your homeowner's insurance may be the primary coverage, potentially affecting your rates or exposing you to liability.
Operationally, these companies work differently. Iknow Electric is owner-operated with Erik Skolnik personally handling most work, leading to quick response times and same-day availability. RME uses installation crews, which enables handling larger solar projects but has resulted in some post-installation communication concerns regarding utility paperwork and permit activation.
What Customers Say
Rme Innovations
Customers praise RME's thorough solar consultations and professional installation crews completing work on schedule, but some report difficulty reaching the company for post-installation utility paperwork and permit activation.
Iknow Electric
Customers consistently highlight Iknow Electric's quick response times with same-day service and owner Erik's clear explanations throughout electrical projects, with job sites left clean.
Key Takeaway: RME operates with installation crews enabling larger solar projects but creating occasional communication gaps, while Iknow Electric's owner-operated model provides direct access and faster response for smaller electrical jobs.
Customer Reviews
Rme Innovations
We can’t say enough about our outstanding experience with RME. Get delivered as promised throughout the new PV install on our house. Special shout out to the install team who provided a professiona...
RME Innovations Solar, They took the time to explain all my options clearly and answered all my questions patiently. The installation process quick & seamless, causing no disruption to my daily activi...
Outstanding service from start to finish! RME Innovations provided clear options and tailored a solar solution that fit my needs perfectly. The installation was completed on schedule, and the crew was...
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 Rme Innovations if...
- ✓ You're installing a complete solar panel system or energy storage solution, which is RME's core specialization and Iknow Electric doesn't offer
- ✓ Workers compensation coverage is a priority for your peace of mind and liability protection during the multi-day installation process
- ✓ You value thorough consultations and personalized system design based on your specific energy usage patterns
- ✓ You're willing to potentially follow up proactively on utility activation paperwork rather than assuming automatic post-installation communication
Consider Iknow Electric if...
- ✓ You need electrical work like EV charger installation, panel upgrades, circuit repairs, or lighting rather than solar panels
- ✓ Fast response matters more than insurance coverage, and you need same-day or next-day service availability for urgent electrical issues
- ✓ You prefer working directly with the business owner throughout your project rather than installation crews
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries or obtaining a waiver, given the absence of workers comp
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Iknow Electric: Ask to confirm liability coverage details and verify whether your homeowner's insurance policy covers injuries to contractors working without workers comp on your property
- → For RME Innovations: Ask specifically who will handle utility activation paperwork and how you'll be updated on permit processing timelines
- → For either: Request references from projects completed in the past six months to understand current service quality and crew consistency
The Bottom Line
Your decision here is determined entirely by what work you need done. For solar panel installation, RME Innovations is your option and carries proper workers comp coverage, though you should clarify post-installation support expectations upfront. For electrical work including EV chargers, panel upgrades, or circuit repairs, Iknow Electric offers responsive owner-operated service with same-day availability, but you must address the workers comp gap by verifying your homeowner's insurance coverage or requesting proof of liability insurance. These aren't competing options for the same work—they're specialists in different fields who both serve Placer County homeowners.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, solar panel system installation requires specialized experience that Iknow Electric doesn't offer. While they can handle related electrical work like panel upgrades that might be needed before solar installation, the actual photovoltaic system design and installation is RME Innovations' specialty. If you need both electrical upgrades and solar, you'd work with separate contractors.
For RME's multi-day solar installations with multiple crew members, workers comp provides important protection if someone is injured during the project. For Iknow Electric's typically shorter electrical jobs with owner Erik doing the work himself, the risk window is smaller but still present. Contact your homeowner's insurance agent to understand your specific exposure before hiring a contractor without workers comp.
Customer feedback suggests different patterns. Iknow Electric's owner-operated model typically means direct access to Erik for follow-up questions. RME Innovations has received some criticism about post-installation communication, particularly regarding utility paperwork, so establish clear communication expectations upfront and get direct contact information for the person handling your utility activation.
You'd likely need both contractors. RME Innovations installs the solar panel system itself but doesn't specialize in EV charger installation. Iknow Electric frequently installs EV chargers and can assess whether your panel needs upgrading to handle both solar and EV charging loads. Coordinate between them or ask RME if they have electrical partners they typically work with for companion projects.
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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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