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Craft Builders Construction vs General Lighting Service
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Choosing between a multi-service general contractor with proven customer feedback and a veteran electrical specialist with limited review history.
| Craft Builders Construction | General Lighting Service | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.6 | ★ 1.0 |
| Years Licensed | 11 years | 41 years |
| License # | 1005138 | 466869 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Morgan Hill, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
| Website | craftbuilders.net | gls-inc.net |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Craft Builders Construction
Customers consistently praise communication quality, punctuality, and thorough explanations throughout projects, with repeated mentions of professional conduct and attention to ensuring satisfaction.
Key Takeaway: Craft Builders Construction has substantial customer feedback establishing clear service patterns, while General Lighting Service lacks sufficient review data to identify current performance tendencies despite four decades of operation.
Customer Reviews
Craft Builders Construction
Craft builders did an amazing job remodeling our kitchen! Jennifer's communication and scheduling made everything run smoothly and she was so helpful with letting us know what we needed to decide next...
Craft Builders are very professional and went beyond to make sure I was satisfied with my project
I would highly recommend Craft Builders for any construction project. We had them replace our roof and couldn't be happier with our experience. Chris and Jennifer were great to work with. They are...
General Lighting Service
No reviews available
Consider Craft Builders Construction if...
- ✓ Your electrical work is part of a larger remodeling project like a kitchen renovation where coordinating multiple trades under one contractor simplifies scheduling and accountability
- ✓ You value documented evidence of responsive communication and thorough explanations during the consultation and construction process
- ✓ Recent customer feedback showing consistent professionalism and punctuality matters more to you than maximum years in business
- ✓ You prefer working with a contractor where customer satisfaction patterns are clearly established and verifiable
Consider General Lighting Service if...
- ✓ Your project is complex electrical work requiring deep specialized knowledge of commercial-grade systems, older building electrical challenges, or intricate code compliance issues
- ✓ You value four decades of technical expertise and the problem-solving capability that comes from navigating multiple generations of electrical standards
- ✓ You're willing to conduct additional due diligence through direct references since limited review data means asking more questions upfront
- ✓ The project is electrical-only work where a dedicated electrical contractor makes more sense than a general contractor
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask General Lighting Service for at least three recent references from the past year and specifically inquire about communication responsiveness and how they handled any complications
- → Ask about the crew composition: how long have the electricians been with the company, and who specifically will be working on your project
- → If your project involves both electrical and other work with Craft Builders, ask how they coordinate electrical installations with their other trades and whether electrical work is subcontracted
- → Ask both companies about their experience with your specific project type and request examples of similar completed work
The Bottom Line
If your electrical work is part of a larger remodeling project, Craft Builders Construction offers proven recent performance, documented communication strengths, and simplified project coordination under one contractor. Their 11 years of established operation provides sufficient expertise for most residential electrical installations. Choose General Lighting Service if you have a complex, electrical-only project where 41 years of specialized technical depth justifies the extra effort of thorough reference checking to compensate for limited review visibility. For most homeowners needing electrical work as part of kitchen, roofing, or general renovation projects, Craft Builders' documented track record of professional service and customer satisfaction provides clearer confidence in what to expect.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The data shows they perform electrical installations including recessed and pendant lighting, but doesn't specify if they use in-house electricians or subcontractors. Ask directly who will perform the electrical work and verify they hold appropriate electrical licensing. This matters for accountability and ensuring code compliance.
Established companies sometimes lack online reviews if they rely on repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals, or if they haven't prioritized collecting feedback on review platforms. This isn't necessarily concerning, but it does mean you need to do more direct reference checking. Ask General Lighting Service for a substantial list of recent customers you can contact.
Eleven years represents established experience for most residential electrical work including panel upgrades, rewiring, and lighting installations. However, for highly specialized systems or commercial-grade residential work, General Lighting Service's 41-year history may provide deeper troubleshooting expertise. The decision depends on your project's technical complexity.
A general contractor streamlines multi-trade projects with single-point accountability and coordinated scheduling, which matters significantly for kitchen remodels or whole-home renovations involving electrical updates. An electrical specialist offers focused expertise for complex standalone electrical projects. If your work is electrical-only and technically demanding, the specialist makes sense; if it's part of broader renovation, the general contractor often simplifies the process.
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 12, 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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