Compare Local Pros
Serrano Electric vs Element Construction And Maintenance
Santa Clara General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a specialized electrical contractor with 39 years of experience to a general construction company with 12 years in business.
| Serrano Electric | Element Construction And Maintenance | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.2 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 39 years | 12 years |
| License # | 507852 | 993129 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Morgan Hill, CA | Santa Clara, CA |
| Website | serranoelectric.com | www.elementnorcal.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Element Construction And Maintenance
Customers consistently mention polite and friendly communication, efficient project completion within requested timeframes, and satisfaction with the versatility of services provided.
Key Takeaway: Element Construction has documented customer feedback establishing service patterns, while Serrano Electric lacks online review history despite 39 years in business, requiring homeowners to request references directly.
Customer Reviews
Serrano Electric
Professional , service oriented company . Some of the best Electricians one could ask for
Servicing for residential and commercial electrical needs
Element Construction And Maintenance
These can fix almost anything
Friendly, professional, Gets the job done with quality.
Polite when discussing the work to be done, efficient to getting the work done in my time frame.
Consider Serrano Electric if...
- ✓ Your project involves complex electrical work like panel upgrades, rewiring older homes, or troubleshooting difficult electrical problems where 39 years of specialized diagnostic experience matters
- ✓ You need a contractor who has worked through multiple electrical code revisions and can navigate older building systems with confidence
- ✓ You're willing to have an initial conversation to assess responsiveness and communication style given the limited online review history
- ✓ The project requires deep electrical expertise rather than coordination across multiple construction trades
Consider Element Construction And Maintenance if...
- ✓ Your project involves multiple trades or general construction maintenance where Element's versatility across repair types provides convenience
- ✓ Communication style and scheduling efficiency are priorities, as customer feedback specifically highlights their polite interactions and ability to meet timeframes
- ✓ You value recent, documented customer experiences that provide insight into current service patterns and professionalism
- ✓ Your needs are more general construction-related rather than specialized electrical troubleshooting or complex electrical system work
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → Ask Serrano Electric about recent projects similar to yours and request references to fill the gap in online review history
- → Ask Element Construction whether they employ licensed electricians in-house or subcontract electrical work, and who would actually perform the electrical portions of your project
- → For both companies, confirm timeline expectations and get specific details about who will be on-site doing the work
- → Ask Serrano about their typical response time for service calls and project scheduling to gauge their current operational capacity
The Bottom Line
If your project is electrical-specific and involves any complexity beyond basic installations, Serrano Electric's 39 years of specialized experience provides the depth you want, though you should request references to compensate for their limited online review history. If you need general construction or maintenance work that happens to include electrical components, or if documented customer service patterns are a priority for you, Element Construction offers versatility and established feedback showing professional communication. The choice hinges on whether you're hiring for specialized electrical expertise or coordinated general construction services. For purely electrical work with any technical complexity, Serrano's veteran specialization is the stronger match despite the review gap.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on project complexity. For straightforward outlet additions or simple fixture installations, 12 years is plenty. But for diagnosing intermittent electrical issues, working with older wiring systems, or major panel upgrades, 39 years means Serrano has encountered virtually every scenario and complication. That pattern recognition prevents costly trial-and-error approaches.
It's a legitimate gap that requires you to do additional due diligence. Ask directly for recent customer references and verify their responsiveness during your initial contact. A 39-year-old company should have no problem providing references. Their limited online presence may simply reflect an older customer base or reliance on word-of-mouth rather than problems with service quality.
General contractors can pull electrical permits and perform certain electrical work, but the depth of expertise differs significantly from a 39-year electrical specialist. Ask Element specifically about their electrical qualifications and whether complex electrical work would be subcontracted to a licensed electrician. For basic electrical needs within broader construction projects, they may be perfectly capable.
Licensing ensures technical competency, but communication style varies widely among contractors. Element's documented pattern of polite interactions and efficient scheduling suggests they prioritize customer service alongside technical work. This matters for homeowners who value responsive updates and clear explanations throughout the project, regardless of the technical quality of work.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top general contractors in Santa Clara.
Other Santa Clara General Contractors Comparisons
Serrano Electric
★ 4.2
Cupertino Plumbing
★ 4.9
Cupertino Plumbing
★ 4.9
Element Construction And Maintenance
★ 5.0
Pacific Coast Home Services
★ 4.4
Element Construction And Maintenance
★ 5.0
Los Gatos Roofing
★ 4.8
Element Construction And Maintenance
★ 5.0
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 10, 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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