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Stanford Electric Works vs Therma
Santa Clara Electrical Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Stanford Electric Works is a residential electrical contractor with a showroom, while Therma specializes in commercial and industrial mechanical work—these companies serve completely different markets.
| Stanford Electric Works | Therma | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.2 | ★ 4.6 |
| Years Licensed | 58 years | 9 years |
| License # | 249501 | 1027316 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Mountain View, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Website | www.stanfordelectricworks.com | www.therma.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Stanford Electric Works
Customers appreciate Stanford's knowledgeable staff, extensive showroom selection, and quick lamp repair services, though some mention scheduling concerns for field service calls.
Therma
Customers consistently praise Therma's high-quality custom fabrication work, professional approach, and manufacturing capabilities for commercial and industrial applications.
Key Takeaway: Stanford's feedback comes from residential customers discussing home lighting and repairs, while Therma's reviews reflect commercial clients evaluating industrial fabrication quality—fundamentally different customer bases with different needs.
Customer Reviews
Stanford Electric Works
The staff at Stanford electric works in Mountain View , California is very helpful caring and knowledgeable to the customer and people it services and has very high quality selection of light and fa...
We are so happy to have our lighting Wiz, ( Chris), from Stanford Electric Works! He's so knowledgeable and has worked with my hubs on placements of our recessed and under kitchen counter lights. He o...
Great lamp repair !!! Danny Sosa, their repair guy, fixed my broken lamp in ONE day! He did excellent work and used quality parts. My lamp is better than before! The whole staff is super knowledgable...
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 Stanford Electric Works if...
- ✓ You need residential electrical work including lighting installation, recessed lighting, under cabinet lighting, or ceiling fan installation in your home
- ✓ You want to browse lighting fixtures in person at a showroom and work with staff who can help you select products and then install them professionally
- ✓ You have lamps or fixtures that need repair and want quick turnaround from a business with lamp repair expertise
- ✓ You value working with a veteran contractor who has 58 years of experience diagnosing electrical issues in homes, particularly useful for older properties with unexpected wiring complications
Consider Therma if...
- ✓ You need commercial or industrial mechanical contracting services including HVAC duct manufacturing or custom metal fabrication for a business facility
- ✓ Your project involves specialty ducting components, medical gas systems, or industrial process equipment rather than residential work
- ✓ You require high-volume manufacturing capacity for custom fabrication with dimensional accuracy for commercial applications
- ✓ You operate a commercial facility in Silicon Valley and need a mechanical contractor with plumbing, fitting, steam systems, and HVAC capabilities
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Stanford Electric Works: Ask about their experience with your specific type of electrical project and request references from recent residential installations similar to yours
- → For Stanford Electric Works: If you have concerns about service scheduling mentioned in some reviews, ask about their current scheduling timeline and how they handle service call follow-ups
- → For Therma: Confirm whether they take on residential projects at all, as their business model appears focused exclusively on commercial and industrial clients
The Bottom Line
If you're a homeowner needing electrical work, lighting installation, fixture selection, or lamp repairs, Stanford Electric Works is the clear and only choice between these two companies. Their 58 years of residential electrical experience, combined with their showroom and installation services, directly serves homeowner needs. Therma is not a competitor in the residential space—they're a commercial mechanical contractor focused on HVAC duct manufacturing and industrial fabrication for business clients. Don't waste time comparing these companies; if you're a homeowner with electrical needs, contact Stanford Electric Works.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Therma specializes in commercial and industrial mechanical contracting, not residential services. Their work focuses on HVAC duct manufacturing, custom metal fabrication, and systems for commercial facilities. For home electrical work, Stanford Electric Works is the appropriate choice between these two companies.
Stanford Electric Works operates as both a retail showroom and full-service electrical contractor. They can help you select lighting fixtures from their inventory and then professionally install them in your home, providing a complete solution from product selection through installation.
Stanford Electric Works has been in continuous operation since 1966, building nearly six decades of experience in residential electrical work. Therma is a newer company established 9 years ago but operates in a completely different trade—commercial mechanical contracting. Both timeframes reflect solid experience within their respective specializations.
If you need residential electrical services, lighting installation, fixture repairs, or want to browse a lighting showroom, Stanford Electric Works is your only option between these two. Therma serves commercial and industrial clients with mechanical contracting and fabrication needs, not homeowners with residential projects.
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 09, 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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