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Sun Light & Power vs Plumbing Experts
Alameda General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a solar specialist with 49 years of experience to a plumbing contractor with 5 years—these companies serve completely different home systems.
| Sun Light & Power | Plumbing Experts | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 49 years | 5 years |
| License # | 326203 | 1075672 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Berkeley, CA | Dublin, CA |
| Website | www.sunlightandpower.com | www.plumbingexpertsinc.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Sun Light & Power
Customers consistently praise Sun Light & Power for thorough project management, clear technical explanations, and professional installation crews that complete complex solar work on schedule.
Plumbing Experts
Customers highlight Plumbing Experts' rapid response times with same-day and emergency availability, along with efficient diagnosis and completion of water heater and leak repairs.
Key Takeaway: Sun Light & Power earns recognition for managing planned, complex installations over days or weeks, while Plumbing Experts is praised for solving urgent problems within hours—reflecting fundamentally different service models rather than quality differences.
Customer Reviews
Sun Light & Power
I'm on my fourth project with SL&P and I have to say that they are one of the very best contracting companies I have worked with. They are very thorough and attentive to detail. The workmanship has b...
Here are my criteria for choosing a solar vendor: Long-lived company: ✅ Competitive pricing: ✅ (similar to another bid we got, and in line with local data) Good communication: ✅ (no BS, ever ...
This team is very thorough and detail oriented - as you want when having something installed on your house that is supposed to function for over 25 years. They have been around a long time and will be...
Plumbing Experts
Ivan is a very knowledgeable and customer-centric plumber. I used his services for both water heater replacement/installation and home water control system. Both times the business was very fairly pri...
Highly recommend Ivan. He did a great job diagnosing problems with my tankless water heater and clearly explained what was happening and what actually needed to be fixed. He returned later to help wit...
Ivan and Vlad are the best! They're my go to plumbing for all issues. Thanks for your help everytime!
Consider Sun Light & Power if...
- ✓ You need solar panel installation, battery backup systems, inverter replacement, or repairs to an existing solar array installed by any company
- ✓ Your project involves complex installation requirements like steep roofs, custom mounting, or integration with older systems where deep technical experience matters
- ✓ You want a contractor whose employee-owned structure and five-decade track record suggests they'll be available for warranty service and system support years from now
- ✓ You value thorough consultation with realistic projections over aggressive sales approaches, particularly for significant energy system investments
Consider Plumbing Experts if...
- ✓ You need plumbing services such as water heater replacement, leak repair, drain cleaning, fixture installation, or valve work
- ✓ You have an urgent plumbing issue requiring same-day response, where Plumbing Experts' demonstrated rapid availability becomes the priority
- ✓ Your project is straightforward residential plumbing work rather than complex commercial systems
- ✓ You're comfortable verifying your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries given the absence of workers compensation coverage, and you've confirmed this protection with your insurance agent
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Plumbing Experts: Ask directly about liability insurance and confirm with your homeowner's insurance whether your policy covers injuries to contractors working without workers compensation—this affects your financial exposure.
- → For Plumbing Experts: Given the five-year licensing period, ask for references from projects similar to yours and inquire how long the current technicians have been with the company.
- → For either company: Ask about warranty terms on both labor and materials, and clarify what happens if issues arise after project completion—particularly relevant given Sun Light & Power's long-term availability versus a newer business entity.
The Bottom Line
This comparison only makes sense if you're researching multiple home improvement projects simultaneously—solar installation and plumbing work are separate trades requiring different contractors. If you need solar panels, battery backup, or solar system repairs, Sun Light & Power is your choice here, bringing nearly five decades of specialized experience and full insurance protection. If you need plumbing service, Plumbing Experts offers responsive same-day availability for water heaters, leaks, and fixtures, though you must address the workers compensation gap by confirming your homeowner's insurance provides coverage. You cannot choose between these companies for the same project—determine whether you need a solar contractor or a plumber, then evaluate each company against others in that specific trade.
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Frequently Asked Questions
This appears to be a data error rather than a meaningful comparison. Sun Light & Power installs solar energy systems while Plumbing Experts fixes pipes and water heaters—they serve entirely different homeowner needs. You would never choose between them for the same project. If you need solar work, Sun Light & Power is your option here; if you need plumbing service, Plumbing Experts is the relevant contractor.
If a contractor carries workers comp (like Sun Light & Power), their insurance covers worker injuries on your property. Without it (Plumbing Experts), you may be personally liable if someone is hurt during the job. Before hiring any contractor without workers comp, call your homeowner's insurance agent to confirm you have coverage for this scenario and understand your deductible. This is a real financial risk, not just paperwork.
For basic service work, the experience gap matters less than current technical competence and responsiveness. However, Sun Light & Power's longevity means they've navigated technology changes, economic downturns, and industry consolidation—they'll likely be available in ten years when your solar system needs service. For Plumbing Experts, five years demonstrates established capability, but newer businesses carry higher risk of closure. Ask about business continuity and warranty backing.
No. California contractors are licensed by specialty, and these licenses don't overlap. Sun Light & Power holds a solar contractor license and specializes in photovoltaic systems; Plumbing Experts holds a plumbing license for water and drainage systems. If you're installing solar and need plumbing work, you'll need to hire both companies separately—neither can legally perform the other's work.
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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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