Compare Local Pros
Bear Copper Electric vs Priority 1 Electric
Sacramento Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Priority 1 Electric brings 33 years of licensed experience versus Bear Copper's 8 years, with the key difference being emergency availability versus planned project focus.
| Bear Copper Electric | Priority 1 Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.5 |
| Years Licensed | 8 years | 33 years |
| License # | 1036857 | 657852 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Folsom, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Website | www.bearcopperelectric.com | priority1electric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Bear Copper Electric
Customers consistently praise Bear Copper for arriving on time for scheduled appointments and completing planned installation projects efficiently with clear explanations throughout the process.
Priority 1 Electric
Customers repeatedly highlight Priority 1's ability to respond rapidly to urgent electrical problems, often arriving within hours including evenings and weekends when emergencies occur.
Key Takeaway: Bear Copper's feedback centers on punctuality and efficiency for scheduled installation work, while Priority 1's reviews emphasize speed of emergency response and after-hours availability for urgent repairs.
Customer Reviews
Bear Copper Electric
Super impressed with Josh's professional installation from Bear Copper Electric. I originally contacted 3 local electricians from the SMUD contractor network. One never replied. One sent an email and...
Quick and very professional!!! I'd recommend without reservation
It was a nice experience with them.. they gave me the multiple options before installing it and they patiently heard my expectations and installed the way want to .. I really appreciate their help and...
Priority 1 Electric
I would never go with anyone else but these guys! Very family oriented, they clean up after their work, offer senior discounts and negotiate is what they do. Extremely trustworthy with the highest qua...
Very good at hes job and very friendly and knowledgeable and helpful great energy.
I recently had Priority 1 Electric come out to fix an electrical issue in my home, and I couldn't be more impressed with the entire experience. Casey, the electrician who handled the job, was absolute...
Consider Bear Copper Electric if...
- ✓ You're planning a scheduled electrical project like an EV charger installation, panel upgrade, or outdoor lighting where you can book ahead and don't need immediate service
- ✓ You value specialized installation expertise, particularly for EV charging infrastructure which dominates their project portfolio and customer feedback
- ✓ Punctuality for scheduled appointments matters to you—customers consistently note technicians arriving on time or early for planned work
- ✓ You prefer a contractor who has developed specific installation expertise over their 8 years rather than generalist repair experience
Consider Priority 1 Electric if...
- ✓ You're facing an electrical problem that needs same-day service or emergency response, including evenings and weekends when most contractors are unavailable
- ✓ Your project involves troubleshooting existing electrical issues or repairing failed systems rather than new installations
- ✓ You want a contractor who has encountered virtually every residential electrical scenario over 33 years, providing depth of diagnostic experience for complicated problems
- ✓ You're dealing with an older home where decades of experience with legacy wiring systems and code changes becomes practically valuable
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Bear Copper about their typical lead time for scheduling installation projects and whether they offer any emergency service if issues arise during installation
- → Ask Priority 1 whether their pricing structure differs between emergency calls and scheduled appointments, and if they handle larger installation projects or primarily focus on service work
- → Confirm with either company whether they handle permitting and inspections for your specific project type, as requirements vary between installations and repairs
The Bottom Line
Choose based on your project type, not general preference. If you need emergency electrical service, same-day repairs, or have an urgent problem, Priority 1's 33 years of experience and emergency availability make them the clear choice. If you're planning an installation project like an EV charger, panel upgrade, or other scheduled electrical work, Bear Copper's specialized installation expertise and scheduling reliability serve you better. Both companies are properly credentialed and professionally operated, but trying to use Priority 1 for a scheduled installation or Bear Copper for an emergency misaligns with how they've structured their businesses and where their customer feedback shows strength.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It depends entirely on your project. For a straightforward EV charger installation in a newer home with adequate panel capacity, Bear Copper's 8 years provides sufficient experience. For diagnosing intermittent electrical problems in a 1970s home with aluminum wiring and multiple previous owner modifications, Priority 1's 33 years means they've likely seen your exact scenario multiple times before. Experience matters most when complications arise.
Both companies can technically handle various electrical work, but their business models emphasize different strengths. Priority 1 is structured for rapid emergency response with after-hours availability, while Bear Copper focuses on scheduled installation projects. You'll likely get better service using each contractor for their specialty rather than asking them to work outside their primary business focus.
Bear Copper's customer feedback frequently mentions panel upgrades as part of their installation work, suggesting this is a regular part of their business. Priority 1 handles panel work but their reviews emphasize service calls and repairs. For a planned panel upgrade, Bear Copper's installation focus and scheduling approach fits better. If your panel is actively failing and needs emergency replacement, Priority 1's availability wins.
The data doesn't provide pricing information, but business model differences suggest potential variations. Emergency service providers like Priority 1 often charge premium rates for same-day and after-hours availability, while scheduled installation specialists like Bear Copper may offer more competitive pricing for planned work. Request quotes from both for your specific project to compare.
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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 10, 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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