Compare Local Pros
Got Watts? vs American Home Upgrades
Contra Costa General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
Got Watts brings four times the licensed experience and specializes in electrical and solar work, while American Home Upgrades focuses on indoor air quality and mold remediation as a newer contractor.
| Got Watts? | American Home Upgrades | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 12 years | 3 years |
| License # | 985920 | 1094886 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Pleasant Hill, CA | Brentwood, CA |
| Website | www.gotwatts.com | americanhomeupgrades.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Got Watts?
Got Watts customers consistently praise detailed proposals, transparent pricing, no-pressure sales, regular project updates, and professional installation crews with attention to detail.
American Home Upgrades
American Home Upgrades customers highlight fast service delivery, quick response times, and professional execution of mold remediation and HVAC duct projects.
Key Takeaway: Got Watts emphasizes thorough planning and communication throughout longer installations, while American Home Upgrades prioritizes speed and responsiveness for projects often requiring urgent attention.
Customer Reviews
Got Watts?
Got watts is incredible. Dont hesitate. Eric is so professional and experienced. They are meticulous about safety and quality and were on time had all the parts and even dealt with permits!!! They com...
Got Watts continues to do amazing work for us. They're prompt, attentive, and do high quality work. We originally had them install a large solar array and a couple of batteries for us. We recently had...
I reached out to GotWatts about adding solar panels to my home. They gave me several solid options and clearly explained efficiency, ROI, and cost. Their transparency was refreshing, and their pricing...
American Home Upgrades
We had a dishwasher leak that resulted in mold growth beneath our kitchen sink and the surrounding cabinetry. After meeting with several companies, and checking if they are fully licensed, we ultimate...
We've used American Home Upgrades twice now (for a number of things including mold remediation, fan installations, and duct replacements) and both times they have provided impeccable and fast service....
I needed my Ducts cleaned and I was recommended to AHU , they were super quick to respond and were professional. Thank you AHU !
Consider Got Watts? if...
- ✓ You need electrical work, solar panel installation, battery backup systems, EV charger installation, or electrical panel upgrades requiring permit coordination and utility interconnection expertise
- ✓ Your project timeline can accommodate a detailed proposal process and you value transparent pricing with multiple design options over immediate service
- ✓ You want a contractor with 12 years of experience navigating complex permit processes, utility approvals, and multi-phase installations
- ✓ You're planning solar or electrical work that may expand over time and want a contractor customers return to for system additions and upgrades
Consider American Home Upgrades if...
- ✓ You need mold remediation, duct cleaning or replacement, indoor air quality solutions, or heating system diagnostics rather than electrical or solar work
- ✓ Fast response time and quick project completion are priorities, particularly for urgent issues like mold following water damage
- ✓ Your project involves HVAC ductwork or ventilation systems rather than electrical panels or solar installations
- ✓ You're comfortable working with a newer contractor who has built a three-year track record in environmental health and air quality services
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For American Home Upgrades: Ask for references from projects similar in scope to yours, particularly if your work involves complex diagnostics or coordinating multiple systems, given their three years of licensure
- → For Got Watts: Ask about current project timelines and scheduling availability, as their detailed proposal process may affect start dates if you need immediate service
- → For either company: Confirm they'll pull necessary permits and coordinate inspections, and ask how they handle unexpected complications discovered during work
The Bottom Line
Choose based on your project type first, experience level second. If you need electrical work, solar installation, battery backup, EV chargers, or panel upgrades, Got Watts is the clear choice with 12 years of specialized electrical experience and extensive customer feedback about detailed proposals and transparent communication. If you need mold remediation, duct cleaning, or indoor air quality solutions, American Home Upgrades specializes in exactly that work with recognition for fast, responsive service. The experience gap matters most for complex electrical or solar projects where Got Watts' additional nine years of navigating permits, utility approvals, and system complications provides meaningful value. For straightforward duct cleaning or mold work within American Home Upgrades' specialty, their three years may suffice depending on your project's complexity.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
You're correct that direct comparison is difficult because they serve different needs. Got Watts is an electrical contractor specializing in power systems and solar, while American Home Upgrades focuses on mold remediation and indoor air quality. Choose based on your actual project type: electrical and solar work goes to Got Watts, while mold issues and duct cleaning go to American Home Upgrades. They're not competing for the same jobs.
Yes, particularly when projects encounter complications. A 12-year contractor has diagnosed countless edge cases, navigated permit obstacles, and handled unforeseen issues that a 3-year contractor hasn't encountered yet. For complex electrical or solar installations requiring utility coordination, that experience gap matters significantly. For more straightforward projects within American Home Upgrades' specialty, their three years may be sufficient depending on project complexity.
Customer feedback suggests American Home Upgrades delivers faster service and quick response times, which aligns with the urgent nature of mold remediation work. Got Watts receives praise for detailed proposals and project communication, which typically requires more upfront time. If you need immediate mold remediation or duct work, American Home Upgrades appears better positioned for speed. For electrical or solar work, Got Watts' thorough planning process may be worth the additional time.
This would require confirming each company's actual license classifications and whether they subcontract trades outside their specialty. Got Watts handles electrical, solar, and some HVAC installation work based on their project history. American Home Upgrades focuses on mold remediation and ductwork but may not be licensed for electrical systems. Ask each company directly what they can handle in-house versus what requires subcontractors for a multi-faceted project.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top general contractors in Contra Costa.
Other Contra Costa General 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 12, 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.