Compare Local Pros
Alternative Power And Electric vs Therma
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing an electrical contractor focused on residential service to a commercial mechanical contractor specializing in industrial fabrication.
| Alternative Power And Electric | Therma | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 4.6 |
| Years Licensed | 4 years | 9 years |
| License # | 1086918 | 1027316 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Saratoga, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | alternativepowerandelectric.com | www.therma.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Alternative Power And Electric
Customers emphasize Alternative Power And Electric's quick response times, accessible communication, and hands-on approach to residential electrical emergencies and service calls.
Therma
Customers praise Therma's manufacturing precision, high-quality custom fabrication work, and professional execution of complex commercial mechanical projects.
Key Takeaway: Alternative Power receives feedback centered on residential service responsiveness while Therma's reviews focus on commercial-scale manufacturing capabilities and industrial project execution, reflecting their fundamentally different market segments.
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...
Therma
Did Stanford blood donation here today.
Can't say enough about this company this group of guys the work that they do and the high technology that they are getting involved in. There is a manager Paul there, great guy hard worker. The compan...
Top notch mechanical contractor. Very professional.
Consider Alternative Power And Electric if...
- ✓ You need residential electrical service with quick response times for emergencies or routine electrical repairs in your home
- ✓ Your project involves standard homeowner electrical work like panel upgrades, circuit additions, or storm damage repairs
- ✓ You value a contractor known for hands-on owner involvement and direct communication with homeowners
- ✓ You prefer a company whose business model centers on serving residential clients rather than commercial facilities
Consider Therma if...
- ✓ You own a commercial property or industrial facility requiring mechanical contracting services
- ✓ Your project involves custom HVAC duct fabrication, medical gas systems, or specialty metalwork
- ✓ You need high-volume manufacturing capabilities or precision fabrication for commercial equipment
- ✓ Your facility requires plumbing, steam systems, or process equipment installation beyond typical residential scope
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Therma directly if they service residential properties and whether their pricing structure accommodates smaller homeowner projects versus commercial work
- → Ask Alternative Power And Electric for references from projects similar in scope to yours, given their four years of licensing history
- → Confirm response times and service availability, particularly if you need emergency electrical service capability
- → Ask about crew size and whether the owner will be directly involved in your specific project
The Bottom Line
For residential electrical work, Alternative Power And Electric is the clear choice. They specialize in serving homeowners with emergency response capability, routine electrical repairs, and the communication style residential clients expect. Therma is an experienced commercial mechanical contractor whose expertise in industrial fabrication and commercial systems doesn't translate to residential electrical service. Unless you own a commercial facility needing mechanical contracting or custom HVAC fabrication, Alternative Power And Electric is designed for your needs. Contact them directly to discuss your specific electrical project and confirm their availability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You likely wouldn't in this case. Therma's focus on commercial mechanical systems, industrial fabrication, and high-volume manufacturing suggests their business model, pricing, and project minimums are designed for commercial clients. Alternative Power And Electric's residential electrical focus aligns with typical homeowner needs.
Therma's additional experience would be valuable if they served residential clients, but their commercial specialization makes this comparison less relevant. For standard residential electrical work, Alternative Power's four years demonstrates established capability, and their residential focus means accumulated experience directly applicable to homeowner projects.
Therma specializes in mechanical contracting including HVAC, plumbing, and industrial systems, not electrical work. Alternative Power And Electric holds electrical contractor licensing specifically. For electrical projects, you need a licensed electrical contractor like Alternative Power.
Alternative Power And Electric receives specific praise for quick response times and emergency service capability, which aligns with their residential service model. Therma's commercial and manufacturing focus likely means they don't operate as an emergency service provider for residential clients.
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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