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Five Star Solar vs Wise Monkey Repipe And Construction
Sacramento General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing two entirely different trades: a 20-year solar specialist versus a 4-year repiping and construction contractor.
| Five Star Solar | Wise Monkey Repipe And Construction | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 4 years |
| License # | 873535 | 1081299 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Elk Grove, CA | Elk Grove, CA |
| Website | www.fivestarssolar.com | wisemonkeyrepipe.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Five Star Solar
Customers consistently praise Five Star Solar for quick installation timelines, competitive pricing, and thorough education about solar system performance without sales pressure.
Wise Monkey Repipe And Construction
Customers emphasize Wise Monkey's responsive communication during repiping projects and exceptional restoration quality that conceals where invasive plumbing work occurred.
Key Takeaway: Five Star's feedback centers on speed and straightforward solar education, while Wise Monkey's reviews focus on project coordination and meticulous post-plumbing restoration work.
Customer Reviews
Five Star Solar
The folks at Five Star Solar were professional, experienced, fast, organized, and available for questions and communication. My solar system has been working flawlessly since they installed it. I had ...
In October 2025, I saw an ad about installing solar panels. I called my company, and they filed for bankruptcy. I called other companies, and they told me that they won't finish by December deadline f...
Like so many of us that were going to do some type of solar project at some point we now had to scramble to get our solar projects completed by year end due to the abandonment of the Tax Credit. I was...
Wise Monkey Repipe And Construction
Kellan and his team at Wise Monkey are THE BEST. Professional, responsible, knowledgeable, and friendly. We needed to have our whole house repiped, due to the fact we had Kitec pipes and we wanted to...
Wise Monkey did an incredible job repiping our house. They offered the lowest quote out of every single plumber I called, and they offered the best service imaginable from start to finish, including g...
These guys are amazing craftsman... I highly recommend Wise Monkey Repipe and Construction. They've repiped my home in Rocklin and did kitchen remodels at two different rental properties of mine...
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ You're installing solar panels, battery backup systems, or expanding an existing solar array
- ✓ You want a contractor who has navigated 20 years of changing solar technology, rebate programs, and utility requirements
- ✓ Your project involves complex roof configurations, HOA approvals, or special design requirements that benefit from extensive installation experience
- ✓ You value competitive pricing with a no-pressure sales approach and want thorough customer education about system performance
Consider Wise Monkey Repipe And Construction if...
- ✓ You need whole-house repiping, particularly for problematic Kitec or copper pipes with pinhole leaks
- ✓ Your project involves construction work like kitchen or bathroom remodels, drywall repair, or water damage restoration
- ✓ You prioritize responsive communication and meticulous restoration work that conceals where plumbing access occurred
- ✓ You're addressing slab leaks or other urgent plumbing failures that require both pipe replacement and construction repair
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Five Star Solar: Ask about their experience with your specific roof type and whether your home's electrical panel requires upgrades for solar integration
- → For Wise Monkey: Ask for references from whole-house repipe projects completed in the past year and how they coordinate plumbing work with drywall and paint restoration
- → For either company: Confirm project timeline expectations and whether the quoted price includes all permits, inspections, and final sign-offs
The Bottom Line
This comparison only makes sense if you're uncertain whether you need solar installation or repiping and construction services. If you're adding solar panels or battery backup, Five Star Solar's 20 years of specialized experience positions them to handle complex installations and system optimization. If you're dealing with failing pipes, water damage, or need construction remodeling, Wise Monkey's focused expertise in whole-house repiping and restoration work is what you require. Both companies maintain proper credentials and demonstrate strong customer communication. Identify which trade you actually need, then contact the appropriate specialist this week.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, these are specialized trades requiring different contractor licenses. Five Star Solar holds a solar contractor license for photovoltaic installations, while Wise Monkey holds a general contractor license for plumbing and construction work. You would need to hire them for their respective specialties.
It depends entirely on which service you need. For solar, Five Star's 20 years means extensive experience with technology changes, utility requirements, and complex installations that newer contractors haven't seen. For repiping, the gap matters less since Wise Monkey has focused these four years specifically on whole-house pipe replacement with strong customer feedback on execution.
No, both operate from Elk Grove serving Sacramento County, and both carry the standard $25,000 contractor bond with workers compensation insurance. These credentials are equivalent, providing the same baseline protection regardless of which specialty you need.
Five Star Solar customers frequently mention one to two-day installation timelines for solar projects. Wise Monkey customers emphasize on-schedule completion for repiping projects, which typically take longer due to the invasive nature of whole-house pipe replacement and subsequent restoration work. The timeline difference reflects the scope of work, not contractor efficiency.
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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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