Compare Local Pros
Alternative Power And Electric vs Courtesy Electric
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Courtesy Electric brings 18 years of experience and diagnostic expertise, but lacks workers compensation insurance which Alternative Power maintains.
| Alternative Power And Electric | Courtesy Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.3 |
| Years Licensed | 4 years | 18 years |
| License # | 1086918 | 903345 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Saratoga, CA | Sunnyvale, CA |
| Website | alternativepowerandelectric.com | courtesyelectric.us |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Alternative Power And Electric
Customers emphasize Alternative Power's quick response times and team professionalism, particularly during emergency situations requiring fast assessment and repair.
Courtesy Electric
Customers highlight Courtesy Electric's diagnostic problem-solving abilities and extended availability, with specific praise for identifying issues other electricians missed.
Key Takeaway: Courtesy Electric earns recognition for complex troubleshooting expertise built over 18 years, while Alternative Power receives praise for responsiveness and emergency service capabilities.
Customer Reviews
Alternative Power And Electric
Armando and his team are good guys and did great work!!! Due to storm damage, we had to replace the waterline from our well to the whole home water tank. Armando was quick to come out and assess the s...
This is the best electrician I have ever used. He was very responsive to our call and needs. He and his team are terrific and very knowledgeable. I would recommend them to anyone who has electrical...
Courtesy Electric
Mike Valenzuela/Courtesy Electric installed a new electric charger in our garage and we couldn't have been happier with his service. Not only timely in his response to our phone calls, estimate and wo...
These men know electric, such great men, never had any doubt I always had a good feeling the job was gonna be done right
Best service in Santa Clara county true professional
Consider Alternative Power And Electric if...
- ✓ You want full insurance protection and peace of mind that worker injuries won't expose you to liability claims against your homeowner's policy.
- ✓ Your project involves emergency response needs or you prioritize contractors who demonstrate quick turnaround during urgent situations like storm damage.
- ✓ You're comfortable with a growing contractor who has four years of established licensing and strong customer feedback for professionalism and team-based service.
Consider Courtesy Electric if...
- ✓ Your electrical issue involves complex diagnostics, older home systems, or problems that previous electricians haven't solved successfully.
- ✓ You need extended service hours to accommodate your schedule and prefer a contractor with flexibility beyond standard business hours.
- ✓ You're willing to verify liability coverage arrangements directly and confirm your homeowner's policy protects you given the absence of workers comp on file.
- ✓ Your project benefits from 18 years of experience handling diverse electrical challenges in Santa Clara County homes.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Courtesy Electric to explain their workers compensation status and what liability coverage protects homeowners if a worker is injured, then verify with your insurance agent whether your homeowner's policy covers contractor injuries.
- → Ask Alternative Power for references from projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if your work involves complex diagnostics or older electrical systems.
- → Ask both contractors about their specific experience with your project type and request examples of similar completed work in your neighborhood or home style.
The Bottom Line
If you need complex diagnostic work or have an older home with tricky electrical issues, Courtesy Electric's 18 years of experience offers real value—but you must verify liability coverage and confirm your homeowner's insurance protects you given their lack of workers comp. For most homeowners prioritizing complete insurance protection and solid technical capability, Alternative Power And Electric provides the safer choice with full coverage, strong emergency responsiveness, and four years of proven service. The workers comp gap isn't a minor paperwork issue—it's a legitimate liability concern that requires direct conversation with Courtesy Electric and your insurance agent before you sign any contract.
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Frequently Asked Questions
For straightforward installations or repairs, both contractors demonstrate technical competence. The experience gap becomes meaningful if your project involves troubleshooting complex issues, working with older home wiring, or handling situations where the problem isn't obvious. Courtesy Electric's diagnostic track record suggests they've encountered more edge cases over 18 years.
If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers compensation, they might file a claim against your homeowner's insurance. Before hiring, call your insurance agent to confirm your coverage and ask Courtesy Electric directly how they handle worker injuries and what liability protection they carry. This is a real financial risk worth clarifying upfront.
Courtesy Electric has specific customer feedback about successful EV charger installations in garages. Alternative Power doesn't show this specialty in their review data. For this specific project type, Courtesy Electric's documented experience gives them an edge, but you should still resolve the workers comp question before proceeding.
Four years of licensing represents a legitimate established business, not a startup. Their customers praise technical knowledge and they've handled both emergency storm damage and complex situations. They're not as seasoned as an 18-year veteran, but they're far from inexperienced for most residential electrical work.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Santa Clara.
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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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