About Us
Building Trust for Over 30 Years
Family-led and built on union-trained craftsmanship, Padilla Electric Builders continues to grow while honoring the values that built our name.
We are a second-generation electrical and general contractor with deep roots in California’s utility and commercial construction landscape. Our team is led by owners who still walk the jobsite, stand behind their work, and take pride in doing things right.
The Padilla Standard
Our Commitment in Every Project
Safety First
Every project begins and ends with safety. From daily jobsite briefings to strict adherence to Cal/OSHA, NEC, and NFPA 70 standards, we make sure our crews, our clients, and the public are protected at all times. Safety is not a box to check — it’s a mindset that drives our planning, our execution, and our training.
Our workforce maintains certifications in underground safety, shoring, confined space, fall protection, hot work, forklift operation, gas detection, H2s, traffic control, and more. WCIRB EMR 0.92. Prequalified with ISNetworld, Veriforce, Ariba, DOT, and Pipeline Testing.
Owner-Involved Leadership
When you hire Padilla Electric Builders, you work directly with the people who make the decisions. Our leadership is in the field, not hidden in an office. That means questions get answered quickly, problems get solved on the spot, and you always have a direct line to someone who knows your project inside and out.
This hands-on approach ensures accountability, stronger communication, and a team that takes ownership of results from start to finish.
Union-Trained Skill
We are proudly signatory with IBEW Locals 11, 47, 413, and 441. Our electricians and tradespeople are trained to the highest standards in the industry, combining technical skill with real-world experience. This ensures every project meets strict quality benchmarks while delivering on time and on budget.
Union affiliation also means ongoing education, safety certifications, and access to a scalable workforce ready to meet the demands of complex industrial projects.
1962
Joe Padilla immigrates to the United States.
1965–1967
U.S. Army service.
1970s–1992
Electric Craft Shop, SoCal Gas. Skill and discipline forged.
1993
General construction license.
1994
Electrical license. Padilla Electric founded.
1995
P.E.B., Inc. is born.
2013 – 2019
Harley leads operations, then acquires the business.
Today
Expansion into concrete, rebar, and carpentry through union partnerships.
Our History
A Legacy of Hard Work
The story of Padilla Electric Builders begins with Joe Padilla. Born in Nicaragua, he came to the United States in 1962 and proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967. After his military service, Joe spent nearly two decades at the Southern California Gas Company, working his way up from Building Maintenance Mechanic to the Electric Craft Shop. His talent for electrical work, combined with his passion for building, led him to launch his own general construction company in 1993. One year later, he earned his electrical license and founded Padilla Electric. By 1995, P.E.B., Inc. was born.
From One Generation to the Next
Joe’s son, Harley Padilla, has been part of the trade since high school. With a sharp eye for mechanical systems and an early talent for problem-solving, Harley began working in the field immediately after graduation in 1994. By 2013, he had taken over company operations, and in 2019, officially acquired the business.
Under Harley’s leadership, Padilla Electric Builders has grown more than 7-fold. Today, the company continues to expand its reach, its team, and its trade capabilities — all while honoring the same values Joe built the company on: precision, responsibility, and pride in the work.
Where We Are Now
Padilla Electric Builders is now a proud union-signatory contractor, state-certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), fully licensed as both a C-10 Electrical Contractor and a Class B General Building Contractor, allowing us to manage entire scopes from structural coordination to full electrical builds. That flexibility means fewer subcontractors, tighter schedules, and better control over projects from day one.
We specialize in industrial electrical construction and infrastructure across Southern California, serving clients in sectors like public works, utilities, industrial, and education. Our specialization in industrial and utility projects has built a strong reputation for handling high-compliance, large-scale scopes across Southern California. Trusted by repeat clients including Southern California Gas Company, Siemens Energy, BNSF Railway, Petrell Electric, and multiple water districts. As of 2025, we are expanding our workforce and partnerships to include concrete, rebar, and carpentry trades through additional union affiliations.
Our Founding and Future
Hands-on leadership that stays close to the job site.
Joe Padilla, Founder
Army veteran. Builder. Joe launched the company after nearly two decades in the Electric Craft Shop at SoCal Gas. He set the standard for craftsmanship, responsibility, and pride in the work.
Harley Padilla, President
Harley grew up in the trade and took over operations in 2013. He acquired the business in 2019 and has since grown it more than seven‑fold while expanding union partnerships and multi‑trade capabilities.
Memberships & Prequalifications
We back our legacy with modern accountability. Padilla Electric Builders is prequalified and verified through leading compliance networks, ensuring safety, reliability, and transparency on every project.
Affiliations Include:
ISNetworld
Veriforce
Ariba
DOT
Pipeline Testing
Proven by the Numbers
The Padilla Difference
We don’t overpromise. We don’t cut corners. We bring decades of earned experience and union-trained talent to every project, no matter the size or scope. Our leadership stays hands-on, our crews are certified, and our approach is built on one principle: Get it done right the first time.
We’re here to deliver power, precision, and professionalism, all under one roof.
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30+ Years
of family-led experience.
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4 IBEW Locals
represented
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2 State Licenses
C-10 + Class B (CSLB #723149)
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100%
Cal/OSHA-Certified Workforce
Built on Legacy. Driven by Results.
Ready to Talk About Your Project?
From electrical systems to full general contracting, Padilla Electric Builders delivers with safety, precision, and accountability. Contact us today to see how we can help move your project forward.