Greenwood Electric, Inc. is a full-service electrical contractor that offers repairs, reworks, and new installations to residential and commercial clients throughout the Greater Bay Area. Its services include indoor and outdoor lighting design and installation, and it can also install solar systems, telephone and network cabling, and wiring for hot tubs and spas.
Owner and founder Joseph Greenwood’s industry experience dates back to 1978. Mr. Greenwood started Greenwood Electric in 1991 to lend his expertise to electrical projects and work directly with local homeowners and other contractors. He says his San Rafael-based business prides itself on delivering professional, reliable and courteous electrical service.
Greenwood Electric’s commercial services cover everything from restaurant and retail space remodeling to pipe bending. The company’s repertoire also includes tenant improvements, safety inspections, troubleshooting, complete wiring for new construction and rewiring for existing structures. For the convenience of its customers, it offers free estimates and accommodates work schedules as much as possible.
“We strongly believe in the concept of ‘service after the sale.' We make it a point to follow up with our customers to ensure everything meets their expectations. We quickly return calls and resolve any problems that arise. We want our customers to know they can rely on us to keep all our promises, even after the job is done.”
To find a good electrical contractor, talk to people who have had work done on their homes or businesses. “Ask if they liked the company and if they’d hire it again,” advises Joseph Greenwood, owner of Greenwood Electric, Inc. “If they say they would, I’d make the call.”
Check with objective ratings services to determine if the company has a good reputation. “Take a look at businesses that have been around for a while,” says Mr. Greenwood. “The ones that have their names on their trucks are usually legitimate.” Always check with the California State Licensing Board to make sure the company you’re hiring holds an active license and is bonded and insured.
Once you choose an experienced electrical contractor with whom you feel comfortable, consider them a valuable source of information regarding household safety, conserving energy and saving money on your electric bill. Take the following tips as a starting point:
• Schedule a professional electrical audit to determine ways to save energy and money and uncover any safety hazards before they become a problem.
• Always check to make sure the GFI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) receptacles in your kitchen and bathroom are operating correctly. GFIs are designed to prevent electrical shocks in wet locations.
• Change the batteries in your smoke detectors twice a year—during Daylight Savings Time in the spring and Pacific Standard Time in the fall.
• Use plug strips for phantom loads. For example, if you have a stereo or television that’s plugged into a strip, you can simply turn the strip off and eliminate phantom loads. Over time, this can add up to significant savings on your electric bill.
• In each room of the house, install one switch that controls all the phantom loads in that room.
• Put a dimmer on a light switch to save 10 percent on the light’s energy output.
Greenwood Electric, Inc. is a full-service electrical contractor that specializes in lighting design and electrical installation for small businesses and residential clients. "We do everything from installing light switches in receptacles to rewiring 100,000-square-foot buildings," says owner Joseph Greenwood. Because of its expertise and reputation, Greenwood Electric has been cited by several communities for excellent work and has been nominated as a preferred contractor in Ross, Piedmont, Fairfax, and San Anselmo.
Service and quality control are cornerstones of Greenwood Electric's business philosophy. "I was raised with old school values," says Mr. Greenwood. "I understand people are spending money to buy our services, so I want to make sure they're as satisfied as they can possibly be."
Mr. Greenwood says his company takes good care of its clients. "We show up on time and follow up throughout projects. Clients know I'm always around–I may have another electrician on a particular job, but I'll make regular calls to check in on the customer and make sure the work is going smoothly." After a project is finished and an invoice goes out, Greenwood Electric continues its follow-up to make sure clients are pleased with the job in every way.
Mr. Greenwood believes in providing personalized customer service that transcends normal expectations. "I'll provide free designs for clients," he explains, "and I can steer them in the right direction if they need other consultants. I've been in the construction business since 1978, and I have a wide array of contacts who are all good people."
