Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for electrical contractors that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Pro City Electric, Inc., the key to keeping clients happy is simple: treat each home and electrical system with the same care that they would treat their own. “Once our clients see us in action, they can tell we care a lot about doing the best possible work,” says owner Shawn Homem. “Every electrical installation is unique, so we always take the time to ensure we’re meeting the customer’s specific needs.”

Pro City Electric has been providing electrical repair and installation services for residential and commercial clients in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Counties since 2017. The company takes on projects of every size, from general electrical panel upgrades to complete home rewires, and it also has the in-house capabilities to install lighting systems in various interior and exterior applications.

Unlike less experienced electrical contractors that take shortcuts with certain aspects of their work in an effort to increase their profits, Pro City Electric takes a detail-oriented approach to each project to ensure the best possible results. “We’re proud of the reputation we’ve built in our community, and our honest business practices have been an important part of that,” says Mr. Homem. “We pride ourselves on providing quality electrical services that keep our clients coming back and recommending us to others.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Pro City Electric is its dedication to communicating with its clients throughout every step of their electrical projects. “We spend time talking to our customers about their options and explain how they can use their homes’ electrical features to their benefit,” says Mr. Homem. “Some people get overwhelmed by their electrical projects and feel like they’ve purchased something they don’t know how to use, so we take the time to make sure they understand how to operate their new systems, which they really appreciate.”

When it comes to designing a lighting system, it’s best to hire a contractor with specific expertise.

Few homeowners think about lighting fixtures and locations during their remodeling projects, but the fact is, good lighting can turn an average home into a showpiece and make day-to-day living easier. “I’ve seen a lot of situations where a homeowner has remodeling plans drawn up but isn’t happy with the lighting,” says Shawn Homem, owner of Pro City Electric, Inc. in Santa Rosa. “Often, it’s just standard lighting, and it may not even be up to code.”

Many lighting companies see clients who are unhappy with the standard lighting in house plans provided by architects and builders. Some don’t like the placement of the lights, are unhappy with the lack of lighting in certain rooms, or dislike the builder-grade light fixtures contractors propose or have installed. That shouldn’t come as a surprise—most architects and builders think about the overall function and design of homes, not the lighting on its own. In contrast, electrical contractors have more experience with strategically placing lighting so rooms look and function optimally.

Lighting can be added and made more user-friendly at any stage, but it’s best modified during the planning stages of a remodel rather than after the home is completed. That’s especially true when it comes to lighting location. From central lighting to canned lights, task lighting, accent lighting and even outdoor lights, having built-in fixtures and electrical outlets in the right places can take a home from routine to outstanding.

Experts suggest thinking about what you do in each area of your home. Knowing how you use rooms and areas can help you identify the amount of light and types of fixtures that will best suit your needs. For example, if you do a lot of reading or play a lot of games, consider adding lights to your living room. If you like to entertain, exterior lighting may be a good investment. Enjoy cooking big dinners? Under-cabinet lighting can make it easier to read recipes and serve.

Q: Can you help me with lighting design?
A: Yes, we can help you go over your lighting design options. If you pick the style that you want, we can give you recommendations on where the lighting should go to give your home a certain look.

Q: Is automated lighting a possibility for my home?
A: Yes. There are lots of automated products on the market, all of which vary in terms of functionality and price point. For example, we can install smart switches so you can control the lights in your home by voice command.

Q: Are LED lights still a good investment?
A: Yes, because LEDs keep getting more energy-efficient. When they first came out, you could replace a 50-watt bulb with a 15- to 18-watt lamp, but now you can get that same lighting output with 2 watts.

Q: What do I need to know before installing an electric vehicle charging station in my home?
A: Some homeowners are under the impression that they can buy a electric vehicle charger on the internet and just plug it into the wall, but there are different levels of charging, so you have to understand the differences. For example, if you want to charge your car quickly, we can look into the vehicle manufacturers’ recommendations for the fastest charging available and install that system so you get the best value.

Q: Do you install home power generators?
A: Yes. There are multiple options for generators, including automatic backup and manual transfer switch. Some systems power the entire house while others just power the main circuits. There are even products that are easy to install and cut down on labor and overall cost. We can give you different options for price points, types of installations and generator systems.