Compare Local Pros
Janakes Electric vs Stella Painting
San Mateo General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing an electrician to a painter—these companies serve completely different trades and cannot be directly compared for the same project.
| Janakes Electric | Stella Painting | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.0 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 29 years | 19 years |
| License # | 736179 | 888268 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Redwood City, CA | San Mateo, CA |
| Website | — | www.stellapainting.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Stella Painting
Customers consistently praise Stella Painting for professional crew behavior, punctual arrival, meticulous cleanliness, and Robert Stella's detailed explanations and high involvement throughout projects.
Key Takeaway: Stella Painting has documented customer feedback establishing reliability patterns, while Janakes Electric's limited review history requires homeowners to rely on direct reference checks for service quality verification.
Customer Reviews
Janakes Electric
Jeff is a top electrician with extensive commercial and high end residential experience
Stella Painting
We contracted Stella Painting to prep and paint a TV wall I constructed in our living room. They were extremely professional, showed up on time, and went to work masking off the area they were workin...
During the extensive remodel of our home, we got three bids from each trade. Robert Stella seemed the most educated on his industry out of all the painting firms we interviewed. Luckily, the team foll...
It was great. Great company to work with. The guys are respectful and do great work.
Consider Janakes Electric if...
- ✓ You need electrical work performed—panel upgrades, rewiring, outlet installation, or other electrical system services that only a licensed electrician can legally perform
- ✓ You're comfortable hiring a veteran contractor with 29 years of licensing despite limited online review history
- ✓ You plan to request references directly from the company to verify their work quality and customer service approach
Consider Stella Painting if...
- ✓ You need painting services for interior or exterior surfaces, cabinets, doors, or specialty prep work
- ✓ You value documented customer feedback showing consistent professionalism, cleanliness, and punctuality
- ✓ You want a contractor with high owner involvement who provides detailed project explanations and maintains direct communication throughout the work
- ✓ You appreciate a company with demonstrated repeat business from both residential and commercial clients
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Janakes Electric: Ask for at least three recent references from projects similar to yours and follow up with those customers about their experience
- → For Janakes Electric: Ask how long their current crew has been working together and what their typical project communication process involves
- → For Stella Painting: Ask for a detailed timeline and confirm Robert Stella's level of involvement in your specific project
- → For either company: Confirm they'll pull necessary permits and ask about their warranty or guarantee on completed work
The Bottom Line
If you need electrical work, Janakes Electric is your only option here—they're a veteran contractor with 29 years of licensing and full insurance protection. Request references to compensate for limited online reviews. If you need painting services, Stella Painting offers documented reliability with 19 years of experience, strong customer feedback highlighting professionalism and cleanliness, and high owner involvement from Robert Stella. The real question isn't which company to choose, but whether you need an electrician or a painter for your specific project.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You wouldn't for the same project—these are different trades serving different needs. If you're planning home improvements involving both electrical and painting work, you would hire both companies for their respective specialties. This comparison can only help you evaluate each contractor's standing within their own field.
Not necessarily—many quality contractors don't actively solicit online reviews, especially those with established referral networks. However, it does mean you have less transparency into customer satisfaction patterns. Request references directly and verify their work history before hiring.
Both represent veteran-level experience well beyond what's needed to handle complex projects competently. The ten-year difference matters less than each contractor's specific experience with your project type and their demonstrated customer service approach.
Reviews indicate Robert Stella personally conducts consultations, explains project details, and maintains active oversight of work quality. This typically means better communication, accountability, and consistency compared to companies where owners are less accessible once contracts are signed.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top general contractors in San Mateo.
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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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