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Avatar for Los Gatos Electric, Inc.

Los Gatos Electric, Inc.

4.00(
8
)
Approved Pro

Los Gatos Electric, Inc.

4.00(
8
)
Approved Pro
54 local quotes requested
14 years of experience

For over 14 years, Los Gatos Electric has specialized in keeping homes powered, efficient, and ready for the future. Our expertise includes service panel upgrades, solar and battery installations, backup generators, and EV charger solutions. We value listening to your needs, providing clear guidance, and moving your project forward quickly and professionally. We’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and lasting electrical solutions you can count on.

"Los Gatos Electric provided a great turn key operation. Jim coordinated delivery of the replacement generator, also coordinated enlarging the cement pad and installation of the unit. He replaced my 25 year old generator with a Generac Generator. And hooked it up to the existing automatic switching panel which saved me time and money. Overall, I thought it was an excellent effort."

Robert M on July 2025

For over 14 years, Los Gatos Electric has specialized in keeping homes powered, efficient, and ready for the future. Our expertise includes service panel upgrades, solar and battery installations, backup generators, and EV charger solutions. We value listening to your needs, providing clear guidance, and moving your project forward quickly and professionally. We’re committed to delivering safe, reliable, and lasting electrical solutions you can count on.

"Los Gatos Electric provided a great turn key operation. Jim coordinated delivery of the replacement generator, also coordinated enlarging the cement pad and installation of the unit. He replaced my 25 year old generator with a Generac Generator. And hooked it up to the existing automatic switching panel which saved me time and money. Overall, I thought it was an excellent effort."

Robert M on July 2025


Avatar for Buzz Electric

Buzz Electric

5.00(
7
)
Approved Pro

Buzz Electric

5.00(
7
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quick response
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers
49 local quotes requested

Our mission is to be a provider that brings back the personal touch with our customers. We will build a relationship that will last a lifetime once you see our quality work. We're passionate about delivering an exceptional experience. When you hire us, you're hiring a team of professionals who are trained and skilled to deliver lasting value to your home. As a locally owned and operated business we feel invested in our clients and constantly strive for customer satisfaction. We won't leave until the job is done right! Call or click to schedule an estimate today!

"The owner responded quickly and was able to come to our home within a day. They were professional and solves our breaker issues."

Ellen K on December 2024

Our mission is to be a provider that brings back the personal touch with our customers. We will build a relationship that will last a lifetime once you see our quality work. We're passionate about delivering an exceptional experience. When you hire us, you're hiring a team of professionals who are trained and skilled to deliver lasting value to your home. As a locally owned and operated business we feel invested in our clients and constantly strive for customer satisfaction. We won't leave until the job is done right! Call or click to schedule an estimate today!

"The owner responded quickly and was able to come to our home within a day. They were professional and solves our breaker issues."

Ellen K on December 2024


Avatar for Hyperion Electric

Hyperion Electric

4.95(
107
)
Approved Pro

Hyperion Electric

4.95(
107
)
Approved Pro
Super Service Award
Customers say: True professional
Recommended by 95% of Angi customers
Recommended by 95% of HomeAdvisor customers
10 local quotes requested

At Hyperion Electric, we pride ourselves on providing quality service that customers can believe in. We will always see the project through to the customers satisfaction. Call us for a free estimate and to get a professional electrician out to your home today.

"Shaine answered my Angi inquiry immediately and scheduled a no-cost home visit and assessment. I have a heat lamp/light/fan unit in the ceiling of my bathroom, and the fan was making a dying noise. After inspecting the unit, Shaine discussed a few options with me. The unit was installed in 1990 and the model has been discontinued. Shaine researched online and found a source for a similar unit, then did a second home visit and replaced the unit. He worked quickly and expertly to change the dimensions of the ceiling opening and do the installation. The unit works beautifully now!! I was very pleased with Shaine's professional manner, friendly communication, tenacity, and expertise!"

Sue P on May 2023

At Hyperion Electric, we pride ourselves on providing quality service that customers can believe in. We will always see the project through to the customers satisfaction. Call us for a free estimate and to get a professional electrician out to your home today.

"Shaine answered my Angi inquiry immediately and scheduled a no-cost home visit and assessment. I have a heat lamp/light/fan unit in the ceiling of my bathroom, and the fan was making a dying noise. After inspecting the unit, Shaine discussed a few options with me. The unit was installed in 1990 and the model has been discontinued. Shaine researched online and found a source for a similar unit, then did a second home visit and replaced the unit. He worked quickly and expertly to change the dimensions of the ceiling opening and do the installation. The unit works beautifully now!! I was very pleased with Shaine's professional manner, friendly communication, tenacity, and expertise!"

Sue P on May 2023


Avatar for Stallings Electric

Stallings Electric

4.95(
10
)
Approved Pro

Stallings Electric

4.95(
10
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quick response
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers
12 local quotes requested

Welcome to Stallings Electric! Owner and operator, Dave, takes great pride in his professionalism and customer satisfaction. Dave, and his team are the experts you need to take care of your home! With over 25 years of experience we can handle any project you want with promptness and professionalism. We will always treat your home as we would our own, and will make you our top priority. Give Stallings Electric, a call today! You won't be disappointed.

"Dave is very knowledgeable and friendly. We had a burned fuse box (for the air con). He replaced it with one that was state-of-the art. Made sure that the air con was working properly; made sure the outlet to the washer and dryer room was properly functioning. He was so prompt in coming for a free estimate. He came with another worker, and completely the job in less than an hour. Our cost was $250, a nice surprise, considering our last electrician bill was $700 (breaker outlet, and, to add insult to injury, DEFECTIVE work on the triple switch right). It was wonderful to take care of this so efficiently since we are selling a house. Thanks, Dave! Thanks Homeadvisor!"

ROBERT L on April 2019

Welcome to Stallings Electric! Owner and operator, Dave, takes great pride in his professionalism and customer satisfaction. Dave, and his team are the experts you need to take care of your home! With over 25 years of experience we can handle any project you want with promptness and professionalism. We will always treat your home as we would our own, and will make you our top priority. Give Stallings Electric, a call today! You won't be disappointed.

"Dave is very knowledgeable and friendly. We had a burned fuse box (for the air con). He replaced it with one that was state-of-the art. Made sure that the air con was working properly; made sure the outlet to the washer and dryer room was properly functioning. He was so prompt in coming for a free estimate. He came with another worker, and completely the job in less than an hour. Our cost was $250, a nice surprise, considering our last electrician bill was $700 (breaker outlet, and, to add insult to injury, DEFECTIVE work on the triple switch right). It was wonderful to take care of this so efficiently since we are selling a house. Thanks, Dave! Thanks Homeadvisor!"

ROBERT L on April 2019


Avatar for Sunrise Electrical Contracting, Inc.

Sunrise Electrical Contracting, Inc.

4.75(
4
)
Approved Pro

Sunrise Electrical Contracting, Inc.

4.75(
4
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quality work
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers
34 local quotes requested

Licensed electrician in Santa Cruz, specializing in residential service. We're family-owned & operated and we offer free estimates; 24/7 emergency service; professional, reliable electricians; flexible scheduling w/nights & weekends; and a 20-year guarantee on our workmanship. Sunrise is here to solve your home electrical issues with as little interruption to your life as possible. We take pride in being responsive because we know how frustrating it can be waiting for a callback on an urgent electrical problem, or wasting time calling around and not getting an answer. We'll get your electrical work completed promptly, safely, and done right, every time. Offering electric vehicle chargers, recessed lighting, main panel upgrade/repair, generator install, whole house rewires, smart home design/install, home theater, hot tub/spa wiring, emergency service, electrical troubleshoot/repair--and much more. Generally, if it's got wires and it's in your home, we can work on it! Give us a call.

"Brando was delightful and reliable"

Marsha H on August 2023

Licensed electrician in Santa Cruz, specializing in residential service. We're family-owned & operated and we offer free estimates; 24/7 emergency service; professional, reliable electricians; flexible scheduling w/nights & weekends; and a 20-year guarantee on our workmanship. Sunrise is here to solve your home electrical issues with as little interruption to your life as possible. We take pride in being responsive because we know how frustrating it can be waiting for a callback on an urgent electrical problem, or wasting time calling around and not getting an answer. We'll get your electrical work completed promptly, safely, and done right, every time. Offering electric vehicle chargers, recessed lighting, main panel upgrade/repair, generator install, whole house rewires, smart home design/install, home theater, hot tub/spa wiring, emergency service, electrical troubleshoot/repair--and much more. Generally, if it's got wires and it's in your home, we can work on it! Give us a call.

"Brando was delightful and reliable"

Marsha H on August 2023


Avatar for SparkSmith Electric LLC

SparkSmith Electric LLC

4.71(
14
)
Approved Pro

SparkSmith Electric LLC

4.71(
14
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quality work
Recommended by 92% of Angi customers
Recommended by 92% of HomeAdvisor customers
48 local quotes requested

The name of our company is SparkSmith Electric LLC and we are a fully licensed, bonded and insured company. Our goal for this next year is to be more established in Santa Cruz County. Please don’t hesitate to call anytime if you have any electrical questions and projects and we will be sure to take care of you ASAP (831)331-7587.

"Great!!! They fixed the problem..were on time, efficient, trustworthy, friendly, fair price...will recommend to friends..and use again if needed!!"

Shannon S on December 2024

The name of our company is SparkSmith Electric LLC and we are a fully licensed, bonded and insured company. Our goal for this next year is to be more established in Santa Cruz County. Please don’t hesitate to call anytime if you have any electrical questions and projects and we will be sure to take care of you ASAP (831)331-7587.

"Great!!! They fixed the problem..were on time, efficient, trustworthy, friendly, fair price...will recommend to friends..and use again if needed!!"

Shannon S on December 2024


Avatar for Dalcon Electric

Dalcon Electric

4.56(
406
)
Approved Pro

Dalcon Electric

4.56(
406
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quality work
859 local quotes requested
32 years of experience

We are an Electrical Contracting Company providing top quality electrical services to South Bay, East Bay, and the Peninsula! David Lee, the owner of Dalcon Electric, started doing electrical work in the San Jose area over 30 years ago. Then, in 1993, he started Dalcon Electric in San Jose. With over 30 years of experience in both residential and commercial work, we take pride in our expertise and professionalism. We always give you a fair price and can often recommend ways to save you money on your electrical job. We are family owned and operated company! We are also licensed, bonded, and insured! Give us a call today! You’ll be in good hands! Ask about our Angie's List coupon and senior discounts. Award winning. Certified Copalum Installers. SPAN Certified Installers.

"Clear and knowledgeable on what my request"

Howard Y on September 2025

We are an Electrical Contracting Company providing top quality electrical services to South Bay, East Bay, and the Peninsula! David Lee, the owner of Dalcon Electric, started doing electrical work in the San Jose area over 30 years ago. Then, in 1993, he started Dalcon Electric in San Jose. With over 30 years of experience in both residential and commercial work, we take pride in our expertise and professionalism. We always give you a fair price and can often recommend ways to save you money on your electrical job. We are family owned and operated company! We are also licensed, bonded, and insured! Give us a call today! You’ll be in good hands! Ask about our Angie's List coupon and senior discounts. Award winning. Certified Copalum Installers. SPAN Certified Installers.

"Clear and knowledgeable on what my request"

Howard Y on September 2025


Avatar for Marco Flores Electric

Marco Flores Electric

5.00(
9
)
Approved Pro

Marco Flores Electric

5.00(
9
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Quick response
Recommended by 100% of Angi customers
Recommended by 100% of HomeAdvisor customers
98 local quotes requested

We specialize in LED lighting, Panel upgrades, New construction, Remodels, Trouble shooting, Can lighting, and more! We guarantee your satisfaction, and we won’t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out all the services we offer below and call -or- click to schedule a free estimate today! Call or text today (831)241-2198!

"Marco is a fine electrician. He is reliable, conciensious, timely, knowledgeable and immaculate. He will be my “go-to” electrician from now on!"

Steve C on April 2023

We specialize in LED lighting, Panel upgrades, New construction, Remodels, Trouble shooting, Can lighting, and more! We guarantee your satisfaction, and we won’t leave until the job is done right. We pride ourselves on the quality work we provide, while delivering great customer service! Check out all the services we offer below and call -or- click to schedule a free estimate today! Call or text today (831)241-2198!

"Marco is a fine electrician. He is reliable, conciensious, timely, knowledgeable and immaculate. He will be my “go-to” electrician from now on!"

Steve C on April 2023


Avatar for Dalcon, Inc.

Dalcon, Inc.

4.77(
77
)
Approved Pro

Dalcon, Inc.

4.77(
77
)
Approved Pro
Super Service Award
Customers say: True professional
70 local quotes requested
46 years of experience

Finding a licensed electrician that you can trust to service or repair your property can be difficult. While some electricians offer free consultations or other specials, they often do not have the skills or expertise necessary to efficiently perform the service you need. At Dalcon Electric, we have over 40 years of experience providing high-quality electrical services for our neighbors in San Jose and the surrounding areas. We are definitely able to take care of any electrical issues you run into big, or small!

"Work went well. Mods were well planned and made without complications. "

Patrick A on July 2025

Finding a licensed electrician that you can trust to service or repair your property can be difficult. While some electricians offer free consultations or other specials, they often do not have the skills or expertise necessary to efficiently perform the service you need. At Dalcon Electric, we have over 40 years of experience providing high-quality electrical services for our neighbors in San Jose and the surrounding areas. We are definitely able to take care of any electrical issues you run into big, or small!

"Work went well. Mods were well planned and made without complications. "

Patrick A on July 2025


Avatar for Dollens Electric Corp

Dollens Electric Corp

4.76(
63
)
Approved Pro

Dollens Electric Corp

4.76(
63
)
Approved Pro
Customers say: Super punctual
Recommended by 93% of Angi customers
Recommended by 93% of HomeAdvisor customers
122 local quotes requested

(408) 929-6100 Dollens Electric is a family owned and operated business. Our electricians specialize in panel upgrades, whole house rewiring, whole house fans, photovoltaic solar systems, lighting design, recessed lighting, retrofit, remodel and additions, electric vehicle charging stations, and electrical troubleshooting. Founded in 2005 we are a multifaceted provider of contracting services to San Jose and South Bay Area . During the past years we have added several services products to our offerings. We are now a significant provider of solar power systems to the foothill region of central California in Calaveras and Amador counties.

"HIGHLIGHT OF REVIEW (and reason for the two star rating for price): This was the first moment where I felt disappointment with the services provided by Dollens Electric. They had spent two hours and charged me $509 ($374 for first hour plus another $175 for a second hour of work on that Friday’s first visit) in order to reach the conclusion that they needed to go and inspect the attic to see if there were damaged wires up there preventing power coming to the outlets. I find this a very high and expensive price to pay and still not have the source of the problem identified. Jason came back the next morning with a partner, Elijah. He sent Elijah up into the attic and, within 15 to 30 minutes, Elijah found a damaged wire that was preventing power from reaching the outlets. I silently thought to myself that if someone had gone up into the attic during the first visit, then this damaged wire and source of the problem would have been found sooner and saved me a lot of money. MAIN/FULL REVIEW: Four outlets at my mom’s home went out at the same time: one in the kitchen and three in the dining room. An under cabinet light connected to the power in the kitchen outlet also stopped working. The circuit breaker had not tripped; so, I told my mom that we should call an electrician. I called Dollens Electric based upon their name appearing in a booklet that had come in the mail a few years ago listing providers of various services for home maintenance. A woman answered the phone, and I asked how much it would cost for someone to come out and diagnose the problem and then fix it. She said that she would have one of her electricians call me and give me a price quote. In less than an hour I received a phone call from Jason, and I described the problem to him. He said that there is a $334 charge for the first hour to come and troubleshoot the issue. Each additional hour after that would be $175 plus any materials needed for repairs. He also volunteered that I try to go and turn off and then on the circuit breakers in order to see if the four outlets would work again. I told him that I would do that and then call him back with a follow-up. After ending the phone call, I went and turned off and then on the circuit breakers. This did not fix the problem, and the four outlets still were not working. I thought that the prices I was quoted were really high; so, before calling Jason back, I reached out to a friend who is a handyman. I told him that maybe the plug receptacles were bad and that I didn’t want to pay $334 for an electrician to come out and just tell me that. My friend said that he would come and take a look. A few days later, my friend came out and did some tests on the outlets using his tools. He told me that there was actually no power coming to the outlets and that the problem was not the plug receptacles. He said that there might be an issue with the electric wires in the attic, and that I really did need a trained electrician to come out and find the problem. So, I called Jason back and scheduled for him to come out to my mom’s house. Jason arrived in the afternoon on a Friday. I told him that there was no power coming to the four outlets and that my friend had said that someone needed to go up to the attic and inspect the wiring up there as a possible source of the problem. After that, I allowed Jason to do his work. He spent the following two hours opening various receptacles around the kitchen, dining room, living room, and family room. He ran tests on these with instruments he had. He had a tool where he would wave it along the walls and it would make various sounds. After two hours of doing this, he stated that he would need to come back the next day with a partner and go into either the attic and/or crawl space in order to see if the problem could be found there. This was because even after two hours he had not been able to identify the source of the problem. This was the first moment where I felt disappointment with the services provided by Dollens Electric. He had spent two hours and charged me $509 ($374 for first hour plus another $175 for a second hour of work on that Friday’s first visit) in order to reach the conclusion that he needed to go and inspect the attic to see if there were damaged wires up there preventing power coming to the outlets. I find this a very high and expensive price to pay and still not have the source of the problem identified. Jason came back the next morning with a partner, Elijah. He sent Elijah up into the attic and within 15 to 30 minutes, Elijah found a damaged wire that was preventing power from reaching the outlets. I silently thought to myself that if someone had gone up into the attic during the first visit, then this damaged wire and source of the problem would have been found sooner and saved me a lot of money (remember: I had paid $509 for two hours of troubleshooting on the first day with Jason leaving while still not having found the problem). Elijah, who was in the attic examining the damaged wire, and Jason recommended that I fix the problem and restore power to the outlets by installing a dedicated line. I told them to go ahead and do this. They did this work professionally. I asked them, since Elijah was up there, to let me know if they identified any other wiring issues. Elijah found some separate wires that he and Jason said needed to be extended, and I told them to go ahead and do that work as well. At my request, on his way out of the attic, Elijah also looked at an attic fan that not worked for awhile in order to tell me if the problem was electrical or if the fan itself had just stopped working. He confirmed that there was power to the fan and that it was just the fan that needed to be replaced. This was good to know. Overall, Elijah was a very pleasant and hardworking young man. The final step to this electrical job was for Jason and Elijah to bring the new, dedicated line into the panel and connect it to a new circuit breaker. Jason charged me $84.33 for an arc fault / ground fault circuit breaker for this new line. Power was restored to the four outlets as well as the under cabinet light. At this point Jason said to me that it would also be recommended to change some of the other existing circuit breakers in our panel. I had not planned on this, but I am the type of person who trusts the expertise of people. So, if my electrician says that the home needs some new circuit breakers to replace still working circuit breakers, then I will agree to it even though I don’t understand why. We were approaching three hours of work time for the second day’s visit, and I hoped that this additional work would be completed without going into a fourth hour. It was completed within the third hour of work for the second day, and I therefore ended up paying $525 for three hours of labor on the second day (rate was still $175 per hour since this was a continuation of the same job started the previous day). So, over the two days, I paid $1034 for five hours of work. Since the job as a whole was $1427.66, you can see that $393.66 of the total cost was for parts and materials. I had already mentioned that $84.33 of the materials charge was for the required new circuit breaker for the new dedicated line that had been put in to restore power to the four outlets. I expected something like this. And the charge for the wiring used for that line was $32.90. This was also expected. I was surprised by how expensive the circuit breakers that Jason installed to replace my already working but older circuit breakers cost. Again, I did not expect this because it had nothing to do with the original problem of the four outlets not working, but Jason, as I wrote above, said that this was recommended work to do. In particular, Jason replaced some of my older but still working circuit breakers with a type called “quad” circuit breakers. He charged me $151.89 for the circuit breaker part called 50/30 quad Eaton breaker, and he charged me $96.99 for the circuit breaker part called 15 Amp 240 Volt Quad Eaton Circuit Breaker. These two parts alone added almost $250 unexpected cost to my invoice for"

Robert G on August 2022

(408) 929-6100 Dollens Electric is a family owned and operated business. Our electricians specialize in panel upgrades, whole house rewiring, whole house fans, photovoltaic solar systems, lighting design, recessed lighting, retrofit, remodel and additions, electric vehicle charging stations, and electrical troubleshooting. Founded in 2005 we are a multifaceted provider of contracting services to San Jose and South Bay Area . During the past years we have added several services products to our offerings. We are now a significant provider of solar power systems to the foothill region of central California in Calaveras and Amador counties.

"HIGHLIGHT OF REVIEW (and reason for the two star rating for price): This was the first moment where I felt disappointment with the services provided by Dollens Electric. They had spent two hours and charged me $509 ($374 for first hour plus another $175 for a second hour of work on that Friday’s first visit) in order to reach the conclusion that they needed to go and inspect the attic to see if there were damaged wires up there preventing power coming to the outlets. I find this a very high and expensive price to pay and still not have the source of the problem identified. Jason came back the next morning with a partner, Elijah. He sent Elijah up into the attic and, within 15 to 30 minutes, Elijah found a damaged wire that was preventing power from reaching the outlets. I silently thought to myself that if someone had gone up into the attic during the first visit, then this damaged wire and source of the problem would have been found sooner and saved me a lot of money. MAIN/FULL REVIEW: Four outlets at my mom’s home went out at the same time: one in the kitchen and three in the dining room. An under cabinet light connected to the power in the kitchen outlet also stopped working. The circuit breaker had not tripped; so, I told my mom that we should call an electrician. I called Dollens Electric based upon their name appearing in a booklet that had come in the mail a few years ago listing providers of various services for home maintenance. A woman answered the phone, and I asked how much it would cost for someone to come out and diagnose the problem and then fix it. She said that she would have one of her electricians call me and give me a price quote. In less than an hour I received a phone call from Jason, and I described the problem to him. He said that there is a $334 charge for the first hour to come and troubleshoot the issue. Each additional hour after that would be $175 plus any materials needed for repairs. He also volunteered that I try to go and turn off and then on the circuit breakers in order to see if the four outlets would work again. I told him that I would do that and then call him back with a follow-up. After ending the phone call, I went and turned off and then on the circuit breakers. This did not fix the problem, and the four outlets still were not working. I thought that the prices I was quoted were really high; so, before calling Jason back, I reached out to a friend who is a handyman. I told him that maybe the plug receptacles were bad and that I didn’t want to pay $334 for an electrician to come out and just tell me that. My friend said that he would come and take a look. A few days later, my friend came out and did some tests on the outlets using his tools. He told me that there was actually no power coming to the outlets and that the problem was not the plug receptacles. He said that there might be an issue with the electric wires in the attic, and that I really did need a trained electrician to come out and find the problem. So, I called Jason back and scheduled for him to come out to my mom’s house. Jason arrived in the afternoon on a Friday. I told him that there was no power coming to the four outlets and that my friend had said that someone needed to go up to the attic and inspect the wiring up there as a possible source of the problem. After that, I allowed Jason to do his work. He spent the following two hours opening various receptacles around the kitchen, dining room, living room, and family room. He ran tests on these with instruments he had. He had a tool where he would wave it along the walls and it would make various sounds. After two hours of doing this, he stated that he would need to come back the next day with a partner and go into either the attic and/or crawl space in order to see if the problem could be found there. This was because even after two hours he had not been able to identify the source of the problem. This was the first moment where I felt disappointment with the services provided by Dollens Electric. He had spent two hours and charged me $509 ($374 for first hour plus another $175 for a second hour of work on that Friday’s first visit) in order to reach the conclusion that he needed to go and inspect the attic to see if there were damaged wires up there preventing power coming to the outlets. I find this a very high and expensive price to pay and still not have the source of the problem identified. Jason came back the next morning with a partner, Elijah. He sent Elijah up into the attic and within 15 to 30 minutes, Elijah found a damaged wire that was preventing power from reaching the outlets. I silently thought to myself that if someone had gone up into the attic during the first visit, then this damaged wire and source of the problem would have been found sooner and saved me a lot of money (remember: I had paid $509 for two hours of troubleshooting on the first day with Jason leaving while still not having found the problem). Elijah, who was in the attic examining the damaged wire, and Jason recommended that I fix the problem and restore power to the outlets by installing a dedicated line. I told them to go ahead and do this. They did this work professionally. I asked them, since Elijah was up there, to let me know if they identified any other wiring issues. Elijah found some separate wires that he and Jason said needed to be extended, and I told them to go ahead and do that work as well. At my request, on his way out of the attic, Elijah also looked at an attic fan that not worked for awhile in order to tell me if the problem was electrical or if the fan itself had just stopped working. He confirmed that there was power to the fan and that it was just the fan that needed to be replaced. This was good to know. Overall, Elijah was a very pleasant and hardworking young man. The final step to this electrical job was for Jason and Elijah to bring the new, dedicated line into the panel and connect it to a new circuit breaker. Jason charged me $84.33 for an arc fault / ground fault circuit breaker for this new line. Power was restored to the four outlets as well as the under cabinet light. At this point Jason said to me that it would also be recommended to change some of the other existing circuit breakers in our panel. I had not planned on this, but I am the type of person who trusts the expertise of people. So, if my electrician says that the home needs some new circuit breakers to replace still working circuit breakers, then I will agree to it even though I don’t understand why. We were approaching three hours of work time for the second day’s visit, and I hoped that this additional work would be completed without going into a fourth hour. It was completed within the third hour of work for the second day, and I therefore ended up paying $525 for three hours of labor on the second day (rate was still $175 per hour since this was a continuation of the same job started the previous day). So, over the two days, I paid $1034 for five hours of work. Since the job as a whole was $1427.66, you can see that $393.66 of the total cost was for parts and materials. I had already mentioned that $84.33 of the materials charge was for the required new circuit breaker for the new dedicated line that had been put in to restore power to the four outlets. I expected something like this. And the charge for the wiring used for that line was $32.90. This was also expected. I was surprised by how expensive the circuit breakers that Jason installed to replace my already working but older circuit breakers cost. Again, I did not expect this because it had nothing to do with the original problem of the four outlets not working, but Jason, as I wrote above, said that this was recommended work to do. In particular, Jason replaced some of my older but still working circuit breakers with a type called “quad” circuit breakers. He charged me $151.89 for the circuit breaker part called 50/30 quad Eaton breaker, and he charged me $96.99 for the circuit breaker part called 15 Amp 240 Volt Quad Eaton Circuit Breaker. These two parts alone added almost $250 unexpected cost to my invoice for"

Robert G on August 2022

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Generator Install questions, answered by experts

You may need a permit for a portable generator if you’ll be installing a transfer switch for your primary residence or similar work. Otherwise, a permit for other uses may not be necessary. Check your local building codes or ask a local generator installer for more information about your local regulations.

In most municipalities, you will need a permit to install a permanent home generator, including emergency backup, partial-home, and whole-home generators. A permit for a generator usually costs between $50 and $250, depending on where you live. Your electrician or certified generator installer will usually pull the permit for you—and might be required to do so by your building department—but you’ll be on the hook for the cost of the permit. You should ask your installer before agreeing to any work if they will pull the necessary permits for your project.

If your home already has a grinder pump and you’re still noticing issues (like frequently clogged toilets and sinks), it could be time to upgrade your grinder pump. Start by checking your existing horsepower. If there are four or fewer people living in your home, using a 1/2-horsepower grinder pump should be sufficient. Larger households should consider investing in a 1-horsepower grinder pump to maximize wastewater removal efforts.

Generator size requirements vary wildly among properties, but typical generator sizes are listed below based on home square footage:

  • 1,000 sq ft: 6–9 kW

  • 1,500 sq ft: 7–10 kW

  • 2,000 sq ft: 10–14kW

  • 2,500 sq ft: 12–16kW

  • 3,000 sq ft: 16–20kW+

Unfortunately, home square footage isn’t always a good indicator of generator size requirements. Instead, you should call in a professional to discuss which items in your home you’d like to run via your generator. They can calculate peak and average consumption for those items and then size your generator appropriately for optimal performance.

In many cases, yes. There are models called dual-fuel generators and fuel switches, but only between certain types of fuel. For example, with the right setup you can convert a generator from natural gas to propane. Some allow switching between diesel and gasoline. There are even tri-fuel generators available in some cases, which adds a large layer of security if you are worried about fuel availability in times of crisis. Always check your generator capabilities and manual instructions before trying to switch fuels. Some generators can use another fuel but may need a fuel conversion kit to prep them first.

The Scotts Valley, CA homeowners’ guide to generator installs

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