Compare Local Pros
Pacific Electric Contracting vs Simtek Electric
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Pacific Electric Contracting carries workers compensation insurance while Simtek Electric does not, creating significant liability protection differences despite both being veteran contractors.
| Pacific Electric Contracting | Simtek Electric | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 3.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 49 years | 37 years |
| License # | 337416 | 541101 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Jose, CA | Gilroy, CA |
| Website | — | www.simtekelectric.com |
Key Differences
Customer Reviews
Pacific Electric Contracting
No reviews available
Simtek Electric
Always great to work with!
Consider Pacific Electric Contracting if...
- ✓ Your project involves panel upgrades, rewiring, or other work where multiple workers will be on-site for extended periods, increasing injury exposure risk
- ✓ You want to avoid potential liability claims against your homeowner's insurance if a contractor is injured during electrical work
- ✓ You're located in San Jose or northern Santa Clara County where Pacific Electric's base location minimizes travel time
- ✓ You prefer working with a contractor who maintains full insurance compliance without requiring verification conversations
Consider Simtek Electric if...
- ✓ You're located in Gilroy or southern Santa Clara County where Simtek's local presence provides faster response times
- ✓ You're willing to verify current insurance coverage directly and confirm your homeowner's policy adequately covers contractor injuries
- ✓ Your project is straightforward with minimal injury risk exposure
- ✓ The 37 years of veteran experience meets your needs and you're comfortable managing the insurance verification process yourself
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Simtek Electric: Ask directly whether they now carry workers compensation insurance or if they operate as a sole proprietor exempt from the requirement, and request documentation
- → For Simtek Electric: Confirm with your homeowner's insurance agent whether your policy covers injuries to uninsured contractors working on your property
- → For both companies: Request references from projects completed in the past year, particularly projects similar in scope to yours
- → For both companies: Ask how long their current crew has worked together and what their typical project timeline looks like
The Bottom Line
Pacific Electric Contracting is the lower-risk choice for most homeowners due to their workers compensation coverage, which protects you from liability if someone is injured during electrical work at your property. Their 49 years of licensing also provides incrementally more experience than Simtek's 37 years, though both are veteran contractors. Simtek Electric remains a viable option if you're in the Gilroy area and willing to verify their current insurance status and confirm your homeowner's policy covers contractor injuries. Before signing with either company, request recent references since neither has substantial review history available. If Simtek cannot provide current workers comp documentation, Pacific Electric is the clear choice for liability protection.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
It means if an electrician is injured while working at your home, you could potentially face a liability claim against your homeowner's insurance rather than the contractor's workers comp policy absorbing that cost. Some sole proprietors are exempt from carrying workers comp, but you should verify Simtek's specific situation and understand your exposure before starting work.
Both companies qualify as veteran contractors with multiple decades of experience, so the gap is less significant than if you were comparing a 5-year versus 20-year contractor. The extra years provide somewhat more exposure to rare problems and code evolution, but at 37 years, Simtek also has extensive troubleshooting experience. The workers comp difference matters more for most homeowners.
Location primarily impacts response time for service calls and whether you'll pay travel charges. If you're in south San Jose or Gilroy, Simtek's local presence could mean faster arrival for urgent repairs. If you're in central or north San Jose, Pacific Electric's proximity benefits you. For scheduled installation work, the 30-mile difference between the cities is less critical.
Limited online reviews are common for established contractors who built their reputation through referrals before online review platforms became standard. Ask both companies directly for recent customer references and contact those homeowners about their experience. Focus your reference questions on communication, timeline accuracy, and how they handled unexpected complications.
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 12, 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.