Modernize Power vs Main Stream Electric
Sacramento Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Main Stream Electric brings 8 additional years of experience and specializes in electrical work, while Modernize Power focuses on solar, generators, and multi-trade home energy projects.
| Modernize Power | Main Stream Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.5 |
| Years Licensed | 10 years | 18 years |
| License # | 1007601 | 912100 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Folsom, CA | Folsom, CA |
| Website | www.modernizepower.com | www.callmainstream.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Modernize Power
Customers emphasize Modernize Power's ability to manage complex multi-system projects with detailed technical explanations and smooth coordination across solar, generators, electrical, and roofing installations.
Main Stream Electric
Customers highlight Main Stream Electric's prompt service, repeat business relationships over multiple years and properties, and professional handling of both minor repairs and major electrical installations.
Key Takeaway: Modernize Power earns praise for coordinating comprehensive energy projects across multiple trades, while Main Stream Electric builds long-term client relationships through consistent electrical service ranging from troubleshooting to major upgrades.
Customer Reviews
Modernize Power
Eric from Modernize Power did a fantastic job during the sales process, ensuring we got the right system for our needs. Our new solar and battery system is in the early days, but we produce what we ne...
Modernize Power installed a whole home battery backup system and I couldn't be happier. The entire process went smoothly and quick. All the employees we're very nice and extremely professional. I wou...
Had Solar, whole house fan and Generac generator installed by this company! From the top down with Eric Caldwell to all of the staff, I am blown away by the precision, process and people they have! Th...
Main Stream Electric
I really appreciate the team's prompt service and professionalism in providing clear explanations, which helped us understand the situation better. Great job! I will definitely return to them for any ...
What a fantastic company! They immediately scheduled a free in-home consult for my re-wiring project. Estimator was able to visit just 2 days after I submitted my initial request. He spent over two ho...
Rick was professional and he and his team did a great job. Thanks!
Consider Modernize Power if...
- ✓ You're installing solar panels, battery backup systems, or a Generac whole house generator that requires coordinating electrical work with energy system installation
- ✓ Your project involves multiple trades such as combining solar installation with roof replacement, electrical panel upgrades, or HVAC system replacement
- ✓ You want one contractor to manage the entire scope including permit coordination across different system types rather than hiring separate specialists
- ✓ You value detailed technical explanations about how different energy systems integrate and want guidance on equipment selection for your specific situation
Consider Main Stream Electric if...
- ✓ You need strictly electrical work such as panel replacement, rewiring, circuit additions, outlet repairs, or troubleshooting electrical problems without other home systems involved
- ✓ You're looking for a contractor who has spent 18 years specializing exclusively in electrical work and has encountered virtually every electrical complication
- ✓ You need both small repairs and potentially larger electrical projects handled by the same contractor you can build a relationship with over time
- ✓ You manage commercial properties and need electrical work in retail or hospitality environments where experience working within operating businesses matters
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Modernize Power: How do you coordinate between your electrical crew and solar or generator installation teams, and who specifically will be responsible for the electrical integration work?
- → For Main Stream Electric: If my project is exclusively a panel upgrade or rewiring, what specific advantages does your 18 years of electrical specialization provide over a multi-trade contractor?
- → Ask both: Can you provide references from projects similar in scope to mine, and what is your timeline from scheduling to project completion given current workload?
The Bottom Line
Choose based on your project type. For standalone electrical work—panel upgrades, rewiring, circuit additions, or troubleshooting—Main Stream Electric's 18 years of specialized electrical experience provides deeper expertise and they've earned a base of repeat customers who trust them for projects large and small. For solar installations, whole house generators, battery backup systems, or projects combining multiple home systems, Modernize Power's multi-trade coordination capabilities and energy systems expertise make them the clear choice. Both contractors are properly licensed and insured, but their strengths serve fundamentally different project needs. Don't hire a multi-system contractor for simple electrical work, and don't expect an electrical specialist to coordinate your solar installation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for standalone electrical projects. Main Stream Electric has spent 18 years exclusively diagnosing electrical issues, upgrading panels, and troubleshooting problems—experience that matters when unexpected complications arise during rewiring or when diagnosing intermittent electrical faults. Modernize Power's electrical work expertise is solid but serves their broader focus on integrating electrical with solar and generator systems.
Main Stream Electric specializes in electrical work and does not advertise solar or generator installation services. If you want backup power or solar, you would need to hire the equipment installer separately and coordinate with Main Stream for electrical connections. Modernize Power handles the complete installation including electrical integration as a single-contractor solution.
Main Stream Electric is the better choice for standalone panel upgrades. Their 18 years of electrical specialization means they've handled hundreds of panel replacements and know how to address unforeseen issues like outdated wiring, grounding problems, or service mast complications. Customer feedback confirms they handle both small and large electrical projects efficiently with prompt scheduling.
Modernize Power is the strategic choice for phased energy projects. They understand how to design the initial solar and electrical integration to accommodate future battery additions without rework. Their experience coordinating multi-system upgrades means they can plan your electrical panel capacity and equipment placement for your complete energy vision, not just the immediate installation.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Sacramento.
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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 11, 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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