Compare Local Pros
Simtek Electric vs Stuart And Sons
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Both veteran contractors with 37 years experience, but Stuart And Sons carries workers compensation insurance while Simtek Electric does not.
| Simtek Electric | Stuart And Sons | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 5.0 | ★ 3.0 |
| Years Licensed | 37 years | 37 years |
| License # | 541101 | 539217 |
| Workers' Comp | — | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Gilroy, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
| Website | www.simtekelectric.com | stuart-elect.com |
Key Differences
Customer Reviews
Simtek Electric
Always great to work with!
Stuart And Sons
Very pleased with everything!
Consider Simtek Electric if...
- ✓ You need specialized electrical work in Gilroy or southern Santa Clara County where Simtek's local presence provides faster service
- ✓ You've confirmed with your insurance agent that your homeowner's policy adequately covers contractor injuries during the project
- ✓ You're willing to accept potential liability exposure in exchange for working with a local electrical specialist
- ✓ The project is simple electrical work with minimal on-site labor hours, reducing injury risk exposure
Consider Stuart And Sons if...
- ✓ You want standard contractor protections including workers compensation coverage to eliminate your liability if someone is injured
- ✓ Your project is in Santa Clara or northern parts of the county where Stuart And Sons is locally based
- ✓ You prefer not to verify complex insurance scenarios with your homeowner's policy before starting work
- ✓ You're hiring for general contracting work beyond just electrical systems
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Simtek Electric directly about workers compensation status and request documentation; if they still don't carry it, contact your homeowner's insurance to understand your liability exposure
- → Ask both companies for at least three references from projects completed in the past 12 months, focusing on similar scope to yours
- → Ask how long their current crew has been working together and what percentage of work is completed by employees versus subcontractors
- → Ask Stuart And Sons what specific trades they handle directly versus subcontract out, since they're listed as a general contractor
The Bottom Line
Stuart And Sons is the clearer choice for most homeowners because workers compensation insurance eliminates a significant liability risk without sacrificing any experience or qualifications—both companies have identical 37-year track records. Choose Simtek Electric only if you need specialized electrical work in the Gilroy area and have verified with your insurance agent that you're comfortable with the liability exposure. Either way, request recent references since neither has substantial online review history. The insurance difference isn't a minor detail; it's a fundamental protection that affects your financial risk if something goes wrong during the project.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it matters regardless of project size. If a worker falls off a ladder or is electrocuted during even a simple panel upgrade, you could face a lawsuit and medical bills potentially exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars if the contractor lacks workers comp. Your homeowner's insurance may cover it, but this could result in claims against your policy and potential rate increases.
Not significantly. Both have identical 37 years of experience, the same bond amount, and active licenses. Simtek Electric is an electrical specialist in Gilroy while Stuart And Sons is a general contractor in Santa Clara, so your location and project type may make one more convenient than the other.
Many established contractors who've operated for decades built their businesses through referrals before online reviews became standard. This doesn't indicate a problem, but it does mean you'll need to ask directly for recent customer references and verify their current work quality rather than relying on review patterns.
You can certainly request it, and some contractors will obtain coverage for larger projects. However, this typically increases their costs, which may be passed to you. If workers comp is important to you, Stuart And Sons already has it in place without requiring special arrangements.
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.