Compare Local Pros
Bear Copper Electric vs Scarbrough Electric
Sacramento Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Bear Copper Electric offers twice the experience and workers comp protection, while Scarbrough Electric emphasizes rapid response and same-day availability.
| Bear Copper Electric | Scarbrough Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 8 years | 4 years |
| License # | 1036857 | 1091074 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Folsom, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Website | www.bearcopperelectric.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Bear Copper Electric
Customers emphasize Bear Copper's reliable punctuality and technical expertise, particularly noting on-time arrivals, efficient EV charger installations, and thorough explanations of specialized electrical work.
Scarbrough Electric
Customers highlight Scarbrough's rapid response and flexibility, consistently mentioning same-day service, emergency availability, and the owner's personable approach combined with efficient work completion.
Key Takeaway: Bear Copper excels at scheduled, punctual service for technical installations while Scarbrough prioritizes speed and emergency availability with owner-direct communication throughout.
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...
Scarbrough Electric
Brian did a ton of work for us, everything from installing new EV charger to adding electrical lines and outlets, adding a sub panel, to running new lines for recessed light and drilling new holes to ...
Brian from Scarbrough Electric did a fabulous job replacing the electrical panel completely and coordinating with SMUD to ensure that power was restored to our home. Our power went out very early morn...
I was referred to Brian - and from the get go his service was fantastic!! I had an issue with my doorbell with a crazy buzzing sound that was driving me crazy. Brian came over past working hours whi...
Consider Bear Copper Electric if...
- ✓ Your project involves complex installations like panel upgrades or EV chargers where diagnosing existing system issues requires extensive experience with various home configurations and utility requirements.
- ✓ You want the liability protection of workers comp coverage, particularly important if multiple technicians will be working at height or in confined spaces on your property.
- ✓ Your timeline is flexible and you prefer scheduled appointments with reliable on-time arrival rather than urgent same-day service.
- ✓ You value a contractor with twice the operating history and established relationships with local utilities and permit offices.
Consider Scarbrough Electric if...
- ✓ You need electrical work completed urgently or value same-day service availability for projects that can't wait for scheduled appointments.
- ✓ Your project is straightforward work like outlet additions, light fixture installations, or ceiling fan replacements where emergency response matters more than extensive experience.
- ✓ You're comfortable accepting the liability risk of no workers comp coverage after confirming your homeowner's policy covers contractor injuries.
- ✓ You prefer working directly with the business owner throughout the entire project and appreciate personable, text-based communication for quotes and scheduling.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Scarbrough Electric directly about liability insurance beyond the bond and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're covered if a contractor without workers comp is injured on your property.
- → Ask Bear Copper Electric about their typical scheduling timeline and whether they offer any emergency or same-day service for urgent electrical issues.
- → For panel upgrades or complex installations with either company, ask for references from projects completed in homes built in the same era as yours.
- → Ask Scarbrough about their growth plans and whether they intend to hire additional electricians, which would legally require workers comp coverage.
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Bear Copper Electric is the safer choice with eight years of licensed experience, workers comp protection, and demonstrated expertise in complex installations like EV chargers and panel upgrades. The doubled experience matters when troubleshooting older homes or managing utility coordination, and the insurance coverage protects you from significant liability. However, Scarbrough Electric serves a specific need well: if you require same-day emergency service for straightforward electrical work and you've confirmed your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries, the owner-operator model provides responsive, personable service at competitive pricing. Contact your insurance agent about workers comp liability before choosing Scarbrough, and consider Bear Copper if your project involves any complexity or you want established contractor protections.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If the owner is injured while working on your property, your homeowner's insurance could be liable for medical expenses, lost wages, and potential lawsuits. This is particularly relevant for electrical work involving attic access, panel replacements, or any work requiring ladders. Before hiring Scarbrough, contact your homeowner's insurance to understand your exposure and whether you need additional coverage.
For straightforward installations in newer homes with standard wiring, the experience gap matters less. However, even simple projects can reveal unexpected issues like outdated junction boxes, undersized wiring, or code violations that require experienced troubleshooting. The experience advantage becomes significant if your home was built before 1990 or you're upgrading electrical capacity.
Customer feedback suggests Scarbrough specializes in rapid response and same-day availability, while Bear Copper focuses on scheduled appointments with reliable punctuality. Ask each company directly about your timeline needs, as both may accommodate different scheduling requests depending on their current workload.
Bear Copper's customer feedback heavily emphasizes EV charger installations with detailed mentions of technical knowledge and thorough explanations, suggesting this is a specialty area. Scarbrough also performs EV charger work but receives broader feedback across many project types. For complex EV installations involving panel upgrades or significant electrical modifications, Bear Copper's focused expertise and additional years diagnosing capacity issues may be advantageous.
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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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