The questions we get asked all week. Real answers, in plain language. If your question isn't here, call and ask.
Yes. CLD Electric holds California C-10 Electrical Contractor License #877075. We're bonded, fully insured (general liability + workers' comp), and every technician on our crew is a background-checked employee — no subcontractors.
Yes. A real person answers 24/7 — not an answering service, not a voicemail. Nights, weekends, holidays. If it's a genuine emergency (sparks, smoke, panel failure, big power loss), we dispatch right away.
All of San Diego County — 23 cities including La Jolla, Coronado, Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Poway, Escondido, San Marcos, Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Vista, Solana Beach, Imperial Beach, National City, and everything in between.
Since 2004 — 22 years in San Diego as of 2026. Same family, same phone number, same shop.
Yes. On-site estimates for planned work are always free and no-obligation. You get a real number after we've looked at the actual job — not a padded flat-rate guess.
Time-and-materials — we charge for the actual work, not a padded flat rate. This almost always works out cheaper for the homeowner, and it keeps us honest about job complexity.
Yes — Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover. We also accept checks and Zelle.
Yes, on larger jobs — typically panel upgrades, whole-house rewires, EV charger installations. 24 or 36 month terms, starting around $99/month depending on credit.
Yes — senior discount and military discount, no questions asked. Just mention it when you call.
For emergencies, we bill for the actual work performed once we arrive. No hidden dispatch or trip fees.
For a typical 100→200A service upgrade including panel, meter combo, grounding, and permit, expect roughly $2,800–$4,500 depending on your existing setup and any complicating factors (long service drop, meter relocation, sub-panel work). We give firm quotes after a site visit.
Yes — panel upgrades require a permit and city inspection. We pull the permit, coordinate with SDG&E for the utility disconnect, and meet the inspector on-site.
Most residential Level 2 EV charger installs are one day — including the dedicated circuit run, charger mounting, testing, and inspection. Complex runs (long distance from panel to garage, or panel upgrades needed first) can be two days.
Depends on your existing panel capacity. 200A panels can usually handle a 40-50A EV circuit with no issue. 100A panels often need a service upgrade first. We do a load calculation before quoting.
Yes. Both brands have well-documented failure modes (breakers that don't trip on fault, arcing, overheating). Every major insurance carrier now requires their replacement, and we do too from a safety standpoint.
Yes. Multi-meter panels, transformer installs, 3-phase service, tenant improvements, generators, machine wiring, sub-metering, commercial lighting, and full property management retainers. Single- and 3-phase. 120V to 480V.
Yes. Most of our property management clients are on informal retainer — we're their first call for anything electrical across their portfolio. Clean invoicing, POs, and documentation for owners.
Yes. Most of our commercial and property management accounts run on POs. Standard net-30 terms.
Yes. Relays, microswitches, shunt-trip breakers, exhaust fan controls, gas valve interlocks, and fire pull stations for ANSUL-protected commercial kitchens. NFPA 96 and NFPA 17A compliant.
Yes. Panel replacements (Zinsco/FPE), GFCI upgrades, pre-1990 building electrical modernization — whatever the underwriter is requiring. We provide documentation for the carrier.
Anything that involves visible sparks, smoke or burning smells, panels that are hot to the touch, buzzing or arcing sounds from outlets or panels, significant unexplained partial power loss, or exposed live wires. Also: any electrical situation involving standing water.
Under 10 minutes on average for dispatch. Actual arrival time depends on distance — worst case anywhere in central San Diego is under an hour. We tell you honestly when you call.
If you smell burning or see smoke: turn off the main breaker if you can do so safely, get everyone out of the affected area, and call us. Don't touch anything that's hot or has visible damage. Don't try to fix it yourself.
We charge for the actual work performed. There's no separate 'emergency rate' or premium — you pay for the parts and labor it takes to fix the problem, same as always.