Compare Local Pros
Next Generation Electric vs Simtek Electric
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Next Generation Electric offers transparent customer communication and documented project history, while Simtek Electric brings 37 years of technical experience but lacks visible customer feedback.
| Next Generation Electric | Simtek Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 13 years | 37 years |
| License # | 984649 | 541101 |
| Workers' Comp | — | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Gilroy, CA | Gilroy, CA |
| Website | nextgenerationelectricinc.jobbersites.com | www.simtekelectric.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Next Generation Electric
Customers consistently praise responsive communication, educational explanations about electrical systems, and reliable completion of appointments across diverse residential projects.
Key Takeaway: Next Generation Electric provides transparent evidence of customer satisfaction and service approach, while Simtek Electric's service quality remains unverifiable through public feedback despite decades of operation.
Customer Reviews
Next Generation Electric
Great work. Arrived right on time, were able to identify the problem and made the repairs in one visit
Quick. Easy. Professional.
Completed appointment promptly after scheduling. Amazing Service. Thank you for your service and time.
Simtek Electric
Always great to work with!
Consider Next Generation Electric if...
- ✓ You want a contractor with documented evidence of clear communication and educational explanations, especially valuable if you're unfamiliar with electrical systems or need to understand code requirements for HOA compliance or EV charging installations.
- ✓ Your project involves common residential electrical work like circuit breaker upgrades, outlet installations, or troubleshooting where Next Generation Electric has demonstrated successful completion and customer satisfaction.
- ✓ Responsive scheduling and weekend availability matter for your timeline, as customers specifically mention prompt appointments and completion as agreed.
- ✓ You value being able to review recent customer experiences that reflect current service quality and business practices.
Consider Simtek Electric if...
- ✓ Your project involves complex or unusual electrical systems where 37 years of technical experience could prove invaluable in diagnosing hidden issues or navigating complications in older homes.
- ✓ You have direct referrals from trusted sources who can speak to Simtek Electric's work quality, reliability, and pricing since public feedback is limited.
- ✓ You're comfortable conducting additional due diligence through direct conversations and reference checks to evaluate their service approach before committing.
- ✓ Your electrical issue requires deep familiarity with legacy wiring systems or long-term relationships with local building inspectors that come with decades of local market presence.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask both companies about liability insurance coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if a worker is injured on your property, since neither carries workers compensation on file.
- → Ask Simtek Electric for at least three recent customer references with projects similar to yours, and follow up with those references about communication, timeliness, and problem-solving.
- → Ask both contractors how they handle unexpected complications discovered during work, what their warranty terms cover, and whether they use licensed electricians or apprentices for different aspects of the job.
- → Ask Simtek Electric about their current crew stability and how long their lead electricians have been with the company to gauge continuity despite the lack of recent public feedback.
The Bottom Line
For most homeowners hiring this week, Next Generation Electric is the more straightforward choice. Their 13 years of licensing is substantial, and their documented pattern of responsive communication, educational approach, and successful project completion across diverse residential electrical work provides clear expectations. Simtek Electric's 37 years represents impressive technical depth, but without customer feedback to evaluate their service quality, you're making a decision with significantly less information. If you have time to conduct thorough reference checks with Simtek and can verify their current service approach matches their longevity, their additional experience could prove valuable for complex scenarios. Whichever you choose, address the workers compensation gap directly by confirming liability coverage and your own insurance protection before work begins.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
Longevity demonstrates survival and likely technical competence, but it doesn't tell you how they communicate, price projects, or handle problems today. Next Generation Electric's 13 years is substantial experience with the advantage of documented customer satisfaction patterns. If you can obtain direct references for Simtek Electric that address service quality, their additional experience becomes more valuable.
If a worker is injured on your property, you could potentially be held liable for medical costs and lost wages if your homeowner's insurance doesn't cover it. Before hiring either contractor, call your insurance agent to confirm coverage and ask the contractor about their general liability insurance. This isn't uncommon for smaller electrical contractors, but you need to understand your exposure.
Thirteen years is established experience, not new. They've demonstrated successful completion of diverse projects including code-required upgrades and modern installations like EV charging. For most residential electrical work, their documented problem-solving track record may be more relevant than Simtek's additional tenure. For highly unusual vintage systems, Simtek's deeper experience could matter if you can verify their current capabilities.
Some established contractors rely entirely on word-of-mouth and repeat business without actively seeking online reviews, or they may serve primarily commercial clients. It doesn't necessarily indicate problems, but it does mean you need to do more homework. Ask them directly for references and why their online presence is limited before making your decision.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top electrical contractors in Santa Clara.
Other Santa Clara 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 11, 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.