Working with Contractors

Contractors

Working with contractors

Your PCE guide to hiring a local contractor for your home electrification project.

Overview

Peace of mind & wallet

Here are the resources you need to find trustworthy contractors and save money.

To minimize the stress and cost of going electric, we’ve assembled all the resources you’ll need in one convenient place. Click the links below to learn more.

The benefits of working with a contractor

How to work with a contractor

Find an approved contractor

Get rebates & offers

Get additional help

Get on the contractor list

Contractors

Getting started

Let’s get you started on making your home electrification journey as stress-free and affordable as possible.

Here are some simple steps to follow to get quality work at a reasonable price:

Read the details on this page before contacting a contractor.
Make a detailed list of the projects you want done.
Keep our suggested questions nearby when you contact contractors.
Call at least three potential contractors before choosing one.
Follow our recommendations on how to work with contractors.
Enjoy a more efficient home!

Find a contractor

Once you’re ready to reach out to contractors, you can use our contractor search tool to find an approved contractor for your job.

Start my search

Benefits of a Licensed Contractor

Why should you work with a licensed contractor?

Have peace of mind and save costs by doing it right the first time.

Home electrification can be expensive. It’s natural to try to cut costs by going the DIY route or hiring someone less qualified. But performing these upgrades can be complicated and technical—not to mention dangerous. Mistakes can be costly now or down the road. It’s better to hire a licensed contractor to do the work correctly. Here are some reasons why:

Safety first!

Licensed contractors are trained to adhere to electrical and natural gas safety codes, minimizing the risk of fires or shocks to you and your family.

Quality work is worth it

Licensed contractors have the expertise to ensure that the work is done correctly and up to code, preventing future problems and avoiding the need to fix something that wasn’t done right the first time.

Insurance & warranty give you peace of mind

Licensed contractors carry insurance to protect you from potential liability in the case of accidents or property damage that you might otherwise be held liable for. Plus, the work of licensed contractors is under warranty for a full year as required by the State of California.

Avoid devaluing your home

If you do unpermitted work, the value of your home can be affected if you decide to sell it in the future. Licensed contractors handle the necessary submissions, permits, and inspections, saving you time, money, and headaches in the long run.

Find a contractor

Do you need help finding a licensed contractor?

Start my search

Project Tips

How to work with a contractor

View this guide to keeping your home electrification journey stress-free and on budget.

Whether you’ve worked with contractors before or this is your first time, your home electrification project can be complicated without the right guidance. Following these best practices increases your chances of a successful project and gets the most value for your money.

If you’re not sure what you should ask your contractor, we’ve created a list of important questions to help you.

Ask questions & be clear

Will you conduct a thorough assessment of my home to determine the best appliances and installation methods?

Ask for references

Your contractor should provide references from previous customers to gauge their satisfaction with the contractor's work. Ask for photos of the work to confirm that the contractor’s work is tidy and labeled (for example, inside an electrical panel). You don’t need technical expertise to know if the work is good. A neat (and well-labeled) installation shows you they take pride in what they do.

Insist on a detailed scope of work

Before you sign anything, make sure your contractor provides a detailed, written scope of work with lists of tasks and materials and a description of the outcome. At a minimum, have them break down the costs of materials and labor. If it's a larger project (e.g., solar installation), have them break it down into smaller parts and provide a price and time estimate for each part. Be sure to have them list what your responsibilities and timing are, too (e.g., payment schedule, talking to your neighbors). Make sure you understand everything you’re paying for.

Note: It’s not unusual for a contractor to run into unforeseen issues. This may cause a change in the cost and/or timeline. Work with your contractor to resolve these issues. Be reasonable, and make sure they are being reasonable, too.

Sign a written contract

Before work begins, your contractor must provide you with a written estimate and contract detailing the scope, costs, payment schedule, timeline, and terms. Both you and your contractor must sign the contract.

Ask about subcontractors

If your contractor is going to use subcontractors, have them provide the names and contact information for their subcontractors in case any issues arise.

Ask about permits & inspections

Verify that the contractor will handle any necessary permits and inspections to ensure compliance with local regulations. Also, confirm that they accept responsibility for getting the final signoff from the inspector for the work. Make sure you get a copy of the final signoff before making the final payment.

Tell them you are committing to electric appliances

Some contractors are still recommending gas equipment, and they may not be aware of the overwhelming advantages of electric appliances. Some are still misinformed about the performance, climate benefits, and similar cost of all-electric appliances. If you are clear and share your reasons, the contractor will install what you ask for.

If an electrical service (e.g., panel) upgrade is recommended, ask why

Based on Peninsula Clean Energy research and pilot projects, we are confident that most homes under 2,800 square feet in our area can go entirely electric without needing a service (panel) upgrade. Service upgrades are costly, and the PG&E approval process can take months. If your contractor still requires a service upgrade, you can work with our Concierge Service to get a second opinion.

Take notice of the payment schedule

Be cautious about payment terms—don’t pay for the work upfront. Use a payment schedule that aligns with project milestones. A good contractor will accept this arrangement.

Verify insurance coverage & bond

Make sure your contractor is bonded and has adequate liability insurance to protect you in case of accidents or property damage.

Supervise the project

While the contractor is responsible for their work, it's still a good idea to supervise and ask questions if you have concerns. This can give you peace of mind as the project progresses and save you headaches later on.

Ask for an emergency contact

Be sure you have the contractor's contact information readily available for any urgent issues.

Approved Contractor Search

Find a licensed contractor

To find an approved local and licensed contractor, click “FIND CONTRACTORS” below to view a list of contractors who meet your criteria.

Rebates & Financing

Save big on your home electrification project

You may qualify for money-saving rebates and financial assistance toward your upgrades.

You don’t have to cover all of the costs of going from gas to electric on your own. As a PCE customer, you can access a range of eligibility-based rebates and zero percent financing with no money down.

Support

Need more help?

If you have any questions about going electric, contractors, or rebates, we have experts available to help you at no cost to you.

For Contractors

Get on the PCE contractor list

If you are a licensed contractor with home electrification experience in San Mateo County or the city of Los Banos and want to see if you qualify to be on our exclusive list of contractors, fill out the form and we’ll contact you directly.

Keeping up with PCE

Would you like to stay informed about PCE’s efforts to bring clean, affordable electricity to your home?

Contractors

Working with contractors

Overview

Peace of mind & wallet

Here are the resources you need to find trustworthy contractors and save money.

Contractors

Getting started

Let’s get you started on making your home electrification journey as stress-free and affordable as possible.

Find a contractor

Benefits of a Licensed Contractor

Why should you work with a licensed contractor?

Have peace of mind and save costs by doing it right the first time.

Safety first!

Quality work is worth it

Insurance & warranty give you peace of mind

Avoid devaluing your home

Find a contractor

Project Tips

How to work with a contractor

View this guide to keeping your home electrification journey stress-free and on budget.

Ask questions & be clear

Ask for references

Insist on a detailed scope of work

Sign a written contract

Ask about subcontractors

Ask about permits & inspections

Tell them you are committing to electric appliances

If an electrical service (e.g., panel) upgrade is recommended, ask why

Take notice of the payment schedule

Verify insurance coverage & bond

Supervise the project

Ask for an emergency contact

Approved Contractor Search

Find a licensed contractor

Rebates & Financing

Save big on your home electrification project

You may qualify for money-saving rebates and financial assistance toward your upgrades.

Support

Need more help?

For Contractors

Get on the PCE contractor list

Newsletter

Keeping up with PCE

Contact Center

1-866-966-0110

info@PenCleanEnergy.com

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