Working with Contractors
Get the right professional for a hassle-free project
Your PCE guide to hiring a local contractor for your home upgrades.
Benefits
Working with a professional means peace of mind
A licensed contractor can help you save time and money, and help prevent any unforeseen headaches caused by permitting, technical issues, and safety concerns.
Contractor Toolkit
Tools you need to find, vet, and compare contractors
We want you to get the most out of working with a contractor, so we’ve created a few tools to take the guesswork out of it.
Vetting Contractors
How to find a qualified professional to do your upgrades
Home electrification can’t be complicated without the right guidance. Following these best practices increases your chances of getting the most bang for your buck.
- Prepare a list of appliances you’re upgrading including sizes, basic dimensions and specs
- Have your list of questions ready or use ours below
- Verify that the contractor is licensed, bonded, and has liability insurance
- Make sure they’ll provide you with a detailed scope of work
- Tell them you are committed to electric appliances
- Best practice is to call at least three potential contractors before choosing one
- Sign a written contract before work begins agreeing to the scope, costs, payment schedule, timeline, and terms
- Don’t pay upfront—a good contractor will agree on a payment schedule that aligns with project milestones, and CA law only allows deposits for up to $1000 or 10% of the project cost, whichever is less
- Compare your quotes against our list of common home upgrade costs
Contractor Questions
What to ask when you reach out to contractors
When considering replacing your gas appliances with electric or heat pump alternatives, it’s crucial to select a contractor with the necessary expertise and reliability. Here is a list of questions for contractors by topic, so you can make a confident and informed choice. We suggest taking a screenshot so you have them handy during your call.
- How many years of experience do you have installing electric and heat pump appliances?
- Do you hold the necessary licenses and certifications to install electric and heat pump appliances?
- Are you fully insured, including liability and workers’ compensation? Are you bonded? Please show me proof of insurance and bond.
- Do you warranty your work for longer than the state-mandated warranty?
- Will you be using subcontractors for any part of the project? If so, can you provide information about their qualifications and contact information?
- Can you provide a breakdown of all that is included in the cost estimate (labor, materials, permit, other)? Are there any additional fees I should be aware of?
- Will you handle all the necessary permits and inspections? Will you sign off on the work and provide me with a copy of the final inspection?
- What is your estimated timeline for completing the project?
- What rebate programs do you participate in? What does the rebate application process look like and will you handle it for me? How do you handle finding rebate-qualified appliances?
- What are your payment terms? When are payments due throughout the project?
- How will you handle disposing of my old appliances? Are there any disposal fees?
- How will you determine if I need a new electrical panel?
- What is the amperage of the existing circuit breaker that would serve the appliance?
- What is the total amperage capacity of the current panel?
- Can you provide a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in the panel upgrade?
- Are there any more cost-effective alternatives, such as upgrading the existing circuit or adding a sub-panel?
- How long will the upgrade take to complete? Will there be any disruptions to my home’s electricity during the process?
- Are the electric and heat pump appliances you recommend compatible with my existing electrical system?
- What is the recommended maintenance schedule for these appliances? Will you provide any maintenance services?
Other Service Options
Explore our other home upgrade services and support
Not sure you want to go it alone? Check out the ways we can help plan your installation or handle everything for 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 list of contractors, fill out the form and we’ll contact you directly.
Support
We’re here to help
As your community-choice, not-for-profit source of clean, renewable electricity, our goal is to empower and support our community. If you still have questions about contractors, home upgrades or anything else, we’ll be happy to help.
Newsletter
Keeping up with PCE
Would you like to stay informed about PCE’s efforts to bring clean, affordable electricity to your home?
