Compare Local Pros
California Solar vs Bonham Electric
Sacramento Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated April 2026
You're comparing a 3-year solar specialist against an 18-year electrical veteran who also installs solar components like EV chargers.
| California Solar | Bonham Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 3 | 18 ✓ |
| Workers Comp | Yes | Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Experience Tier | growing | veteran ✓ |
| Location | North Highlands, Sacramento County | Sacramento, Sacramento County |
| Website | ca-solar.com | www.bonhamelectric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
California Solar
Customers emphasize California Solar's knowledgeable consultation process and ability to design tailored solar systems matched to specific energy needs.
Bonham Electric
Customers consistently praise Bonham Electric's thorough technician explanations, responsive office coordination, and quality workmanship across diverse electrical projects.
Key Takeaway: California Solar reviews focus on the design consultation experience, while Bonham Electric reviews highlight operational execution across both technical work and customer communication systems.
Customer Reviews
California Solar
Commercial solar energy provider San Bernardino CA 1. I’m impressed by the professionalism and follow-through. California Solar Integrators helped us make a smooth transition to clean energy in San ...
Will is extremely knowledgeable and will do everything in his power to make the right system work for your particular needs. Highly recommend!
Bonham Electric
They installed a level 2 charger for my home. The electrician had to crawl in a tiny space to run the wire. That in itself deserves a 5. Their work was excellent. Also a terrific office staff. Thank y...
The technician, Russell, did an excellent job of servicing my 1 year 20 KW Kohler generator. He thoroughly explained the operation of the generator and different options available. He was polite, on ...
Earlier this year Bonham Electric upgraded the electrical service and replaced a number of receptacles in my home. They did quality work at a fair price and communicated well with the tenants. A few d...
Consider California Solar if...
- ✓ Your project is a straightforward residential or commercial solar installation and you want a contractor whose entire focus is solar energy systems rather than general electrical work
- ✓ You value detailed consultation on system sizing and energy requirements, which customers specifically highlight as a California Solar strength
- ✓ The property has relatively simple roof conditions without complicated electrical panel upgrades needed, reducing risk from their shorter operational history
- ✓ You're comfortable working with a growing company that has three years of projects completed rather than nearly two decades
Consider Bonham Electric if...
- ✓ Your project involves electrical service upgrades, panel replacements, or EV charger installation where 18 years of troubleshooting experience provides meaningful advantage
- ✓ You want a contractor with established operational systems, evidenced by customers praising both technician expertise and responsive office staff coordination
- ✓ The property may have older electrical systems or complications that benefit from a veteran contractor who has seen similar situations hundreds of times
- ✓ You value a longer track record for warranty work and business stability, particularly important for electrical systems you'll depend on for years
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask California Solar for references from solar installations completed in their first year of business to understand how those early systems are performing three years later
- → Ask Bonham Electric about their specific experience with solar system electrical integration if that's your project scope, since their expertise centers on broader electrical work
- → Ask both contractors how they handle roof penetrations and waterproofing warranties, and who covers leak repairs if issues arise in five years
The Bottom Line
If you need a complete solar installation and want a contractor whose entire focus is renewable energy systems, California Solar specializes in exactly that work, though their three-year history means you should ask for references from their earliest installations. If your project involves electrical service upgrades, panel work, EV chargers, or any electrical complexity beyond straightforward solar, Bonham Electric's 18 years of licensed experience provides substantially more operational depth and proven troubleshooting capability. The experience gap is significant enough that it should drive your decision unless solar specialization outweighs the value of established track record for your specific project needs.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
It means they have a shorter track record for you to evaluate, which matters for long-term projects like solar installations with 25-year panel warranties. Bonham Electric's 18 years demonstrates sustained business operations and more experience handling unexpected complications. If you're installing solar, ask California Solar for early customer references to assess how their initial installations are holding up.
Bonham Electric handles electrical components like EV chargers and service upgrades that often accompany solar, but their description doesn't mention complete solar system design and installation as a core service. California Solar specializes specifically in solar energy systems. Confirm directly with Bonham Electric whether they design and install complete solar arrays or primarily handle the electrical integration work.
Bonham Electric customers mention fair pricing across electrical projects, but we don't have solar-specific pricing comparisons. California Solar's focused specialization could mean competitive solar pricing through dedicated supplier relationships, or Bonham Electric might offer bundled electrical and solar work. Get detailed quotes from both if your project falls within both companies' service areas.
Using one contractor simplifies coordination and accountability, but only if they truly excel at both scopes. Bonham Electric could handle electrical service upgrades with their 18 years of experience, while California Solar focuses specifically on solar design. Ask each company whether they regularly coordinate with other contractors on split-scope projects, and who takes responsibility if electrical and solar work conflict.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Sacramento.
Other Sacramento Electrical Contractors Comparisons
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 April 03, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.