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Sun Light & Power vs We Love Small Jobs
Alameda General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
These veteran contractors serve completely different trades—Sun Light & Power specializes exclusively in solar systems while We Love Small Jobs handles general contracting and remodeling.
| Sun Light & Power | We Love Small Jobs | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 49 years | 31 years |
| License # | 326203 | 703749 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | — |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Berkeley, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Website | www.sunlightandpower.com | welovesmalljobs.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Sun Light & Power
Customers consistently praise Sun Light & Power for thorough technical explanations, realistic projections without overselling, and reliable project management that delivers on-time completion.
We Love Small Jobs
We Love Small Jobs builds lasting relationships through willingness to handle unusual jobs, with clients highlighting competent crews who complete work on time and within budget.
Key Takeaway: Sun Light & Power's feedback emphasizes technical depth and clear communication about complex solar systems, while We Love Small Jobs earns loyalty through accessibility for projects others won't take and consistent execution across varied general contracting work.
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...
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 Sun Light & Power if...
- ✓ You need solar panel installation, battery backup systems, inverter replacement, or repairs to an existing solar array—this is their exclusive specialization with nearly five decades of focused experience
- ✓ You have an older solar system installed by a company no longer in business and need troubleshooting, upgrades, or component replacement from a contractor who has worked with legacy equipment
- ✓ You want full insurance protection including workers compensation, eliminating liability concerns if injuries occur during your project
- ✓ You value technical depth for complex installations like steep roof mounting, custom pergola arrays, or integrating battery storage with existing systems
Consider We Love Small Jobs if...
- ✓ You need general contracting work such as framing, remodeling, small repairs, or specialized tasks like attic ladder replacement—not solar installation
- ✓ You have a project other contractors have declined due to size, scope, or unusual requirements and want a company that explicitly welcomes these jobs
- ✓ You've worked with them before and trust their crew, as repeat customers report 20+ year relationships
- ✓ You're willing to verify your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries and accept the liability risk associated with their lack of workers compensation coverage
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 during the project
- → For We Love Small Jobs: Ask whether they use subcontractors and what insurance those subcontractors carry, as this affects your exposure
- → For either company: Request references from projects similar in scope and complexity to yours, particularly if your project involves specialized requirements
The Bottom Line
Your decision is straightforward because these contractors serve different trades. For any solar-related work—installation, battery backup, system repairs, inverter replacement, or upgrades—Sun Light & Power is the appropriate choice with 49 years of specialized experience and full insurance coverage. For general contracting, remodeling, framing, or unusual repair jobs, We Love Small Jobs offers 31 years of versatility and willingness to tackle projects others decline, but you must address the workers compensation gap by verifying your homeowner's insurance covers contractor injuries. Don't hire a generalist for solar work or expect a solar specialist to handle your remodeling. Match your project type to the right expertise.
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Frequently Asked Questions
While We Love Small Jobs holds a general contractor license that technically permits solar work, there's no indication they specialize in photovoltaic systems. Sun Light & Power brings 49 years of solar-exclusive experience, including ongoing manufacturer relationships, familiarity with evolving technology, and capacity to service systems long-term. For solar projects, specialized experience matters significantly for system design, permitting, interconnection, and future support.
It's a real liability concern. If a We Love Small Jobs crew member is injured on your property and they don't carry workers comp, your homeowner's insurance may become the primary coverage, potentially leading to claims against your policy. Before hiring them, contact your insurance agent to understand your specific exposure and whether you need additional coverage. This risk is entirely eliminated with Sun Light & Power, who maintains active workers compensation insurance.
Not better universally, but significantly more experienced in solar specifically. We Love Small Jobs' 31 years demonstrates substantial general contracting longevity and market survival. The 18-year difference matters because Sun Light & Power has focused exclusively on solar through multiple technology generations, giving them depth for complex troubleshooting and long-term system support. For general contracting needs, their extra years in a different trade are irrelevant.
Hire them sequentially for their respective specializations rather than expecting one to cover both. We Love Small Jobs can handle the structural modifications, framing, and general remodeling. Sun Light & Power should design and install the solar system, ensuring proper electrical integration and permitting. Attempting to have a general contractor manage solar as a side capability rarely produces the same result as a 49-year solar specialist.
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 13, 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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