Compare Local Pros
Priority 1 Electric vs Scarbrough Electric
Sacramento Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Priority 1 Electric brings 33 years of experience and full insurance coverage, while Scarbrough Electric lacks workers compensation insurance despite competitive pricing.
| Priority 1 Electric | Scarbrough Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.5 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 33 years | 4 years |
| License # | 657852 | 1091074 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Sacramento, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Website | priority1electric.com | — |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Priority 1 Electric
Customers consistently emphasize Priority 1's detailed explanations of problems and repair options, rapid response times including after-hours emergencies, and professional conduct with repeat customer relationships.
Scarbrough Electric
Customers highlight Scarbrough's personable and professional communication style, efficient work completion that exceeds speed expectations, and clear text-based pricing with reasonable rates.
Key Takeaway: Priority 1's feedback centers on educational communication and emergency reliability built over decades, while Scarbrough's reviews emphasize the personable owner-operator relationship and budget-friendly efficiency for straightforward projects.
Customer Reviews
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...
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 Priority 1 Electric if...
- ✓ Your home was built before 1990 and may contain outdated wiring systems, aluminum wiring, or Federal Pacific panels that require experienced diagnosis
- ✓ You want maximum liability protection with verified workers compensation coverage in place before work begins
- ✓ Your project might uncover hidden complications requiring quick troubleshooting based on decades of pattern recognition
- ✓ You value a proven track record with three decades of continuous operation and established business practices
Consider Scarbrough Electric if...
- ✓ Your electrical work is straightforward (ceiling fan installation, outlet addition, light fixture upgrade) without likely hidden complications
- ✓ You prioritize budget considerations and personable service with direct owner involvement throughout the project
- ✓ You're willing to verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accept that liability exposure
- ✓ You value efficient work completion and appreciate detailed text communication about pricing and scheduling
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Scarbrough Electric: Ask directly about workers compensation coverage and confirm your homeowner's insurance policy covers injuries to contractors working on your property—call your insurance agent to verify before signing a contract
- → For Scarbrough Electric: Given the shorter business history, ask for references from projects similar to yours completed within the past year, particularly if your project involves older home electrical systems
- → For both: Ask what happens if they discover additional electrical problems during the work—how do they handle pricing changes and code compliance issues that weren't visible during the initial assessment
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners, Priority 1 Electric is the safer choice. The 33-year track record means they've seen virtually every electrical scenario Sacramento homes present, and their workers compensation coverage protects you from significant liability risk. If you have an older home, complex electrical issues, or any uncertainty about what the project might uncover, the experience advantage is substantial. Scarbrough Electric may work well for straightforward installations in newer homes if you verify insurance coverage with your own policy and prioritize budget savings, but the missing workers comp is a real financial risk you're accepting. Unless cost is your primary concern and the project is simple, Priority 1's combination of deep experience and complete insurance coverage makes them the more protective choice.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
For genuinely basic work like replacing a light fixture in a newer home, the gap matters less. But electrical projects often reveal hidden issues—a simple outlet repair can uncover backstabbed connections, a ceiling fan installation might reveal an improperly rated junction box, or a breaker replacement could expose a panel that needs upgrading. With 33 years of experience, Priority 1 has encountered these scenarios hundreds of times and can diagnose and address them efficiently. That pattern recognition becomes valuable insurance against project complications.
If the owner or any helper is injured while working on your property—from a fall off a ladder to an electrical shock—and the company lacks workers comp, your homeowner's insurance becomes the primary avenue for their medical claims, lost wages, and potential disability payments. These claims can reach tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Before hiring Scarbrough, call your insurance agent to confirm your policy covers this exposure and whether a claim would affect your premiums or coverage.
Customer feedback suggests Scarbrough may offer more competitive pricing, but neither company receives complaints about being expensive. The pricing difference likely isn't dramatic enough to offset the liability risk for most homeowners. If Scarbrough quotes significantly lower—say 20-30% less—and your project is straightforward with low injury risk, the savings might justify additional insurance verification. For projects involving panel work, ladder work, or diagnosing complex issues, the experience and insurance protection Priority 1 provides is worth standard market pricing.
Both receive consistent praise for quick response times and emergency availability. Priority 1's feedback emphasizes arrival within an hour or two even during after-hours calls, while Scarbrough's reviews highlight responsive communication and quick scheduling. In practice, either company appears capable of handling urgent electrical issues promptly. The difference isn't availability—it's what happens if the emergency reveals a complex underlying problem where Priority 1's decades of diagnostic experience becomes more valuable.
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 March 13, 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.