Compare Local Pros
Save A Lot Solar vs We Love Small Jobs
Alameda General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing two companies in completely different industries: Save A Lot Solar specializes exclusively in solar installations while We Love Small Jobs handles general contracting and repairs.
| Save A Lot Solar | We Love Small Jobs | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 14 years | 31 years |
| License # | 971422 | 703749 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Oakland, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Website | www.savealotsolar.com | welovesmalljobs.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Save A Lot Solar
Customers consistently praise Save A Lot Solar's detailed technical explanations, custom system design approach, and competitive pricing using quality equipment.
We Love Small Jobs
We Love Small Jobs earns loyalty through long-term customer relationships spanning decades and willingness to tackle unusual repairs other contractors decline.
Key Takeaway: Save A Lot Solar's reviews emphasize educational consultations and system customization for solar projects, while We Love Small Jobs feedback focuses on reliability and accessibility for general repair work over many years.
Customer Reviews
Save A Lot Solar
They did my panels a few years ago and I could not be happier with the service, and the product.
Locally run, great people, skilled at designing a small system that the big players couldn’t be bothered with. On time and on budget with no surprises.
Jon and team were great to work with.
We Love Small Jobs
My attic ladder fell down and needed replacement parts for repair and avoid replacing the entire ladder. We Love Small Jobs searched at length before finding the right fitting parts, scheduled the re...
We Love Small Jobs is a wonderful organization, run by super helpful and professional staff. The job they did for us was done superbly well by a competent, very helpful crew, both on time and on budge...
I am giving We Love Small Jobs 5 out of 5 stars. Over the last 20+ years WLSJ has done both small and large jobs on my house. Here is a list of the work done over the years for me: tore out, refram...
Consider Save A Lot Solar if...
- ✓ You need solar panels, battery backup systems, or solar system expansion work
- ✓ You want specialized expertise in navigating strict East Bay permitting requirements for solar installations
- ✓ You prefer detailed technical explanations and custom system design rather than standardized packages
- ✓ You want full workers compensation coverage protecting you from contractor injury liability
Consider We Love Small Jobs if...
- ✓ You need general repairs, framing, remodeling, or non-solar home improvement work
- ✓ You have an unusual or specialized repair that other contractors have declined
- ✓ You value three decades of local operational history and long-term customer relationships
- ✓ You're willing to verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accept the associated risk
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For We Love Small Jobs: Ask directly about liability coverage and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether you're protected if a worker is injured on your property without their workers comp coverage
- → For either company: Request references from projects similar in scope and complexity to what you're planning
- → For We Love Small Jobs: Ask whether they work solo or with a crew, as workers comp requirements differ based on employee status
The Bottom Line
This isn't a meaningful comparison unless you're deciding between fundamentally different projects. If you want solar panels installed, Save A Lot Solar is the appropriate specialized contractor with proper insurance coverage and 14 years of focused experience. If you need general repairs or remodeling, We Love Small Jobs brings 31 years of local experience but requires you to address the workers compensation gap before proceeding. Contact your homeowner's insurance to understand your liability exposure if considering We Love Small Jobs. Don't choose between these companies—choose what work you actually need done, then hire the specialist for that job.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You likely wouldn't unless you're genuinely deciding between installing solar panels or pursuing other home improvements instead. These companies serve completely different needs. If you know you want solar, Save A Lot Solar is your option. If you need general repairs or remodeling, We Love Small Jobs is the relevant choice.
It's a genuine liability concern. If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers comp insurance, you could be held financially responsible for medical bills and lost wages. Before hiring We Love Small Jobs, call your homeowner's insurance to understand your exposure and consider whether the risk is acceptable for your project.
Within their respective specialties, both have sufficient experience to handle complex projects competently. We Love Small Jobs' 31 years demonstrates long-term viability and deep local knowledge for general contracting. Save A Lot Solar's 14 years focused specifically on solar gives them substantial expertise in that technical specialty, including evolving technology like battery systems and microinverters.
No clear evidence suggests We Love Small Jobs performs solar installations, and Save A Lot Solar specializes exclusively in solar work. If you need both solar and general contracting work, you'll likely need to hire both companies or find a different contractor who handles multiple specialties.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top general contractors in Alameda.
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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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