SCT_08212025_HomeImprovement

Alpha Structural About the cover sponsor:

By Alicia Venter

Alpha Structural, Inc. is Southern California’s premier structural repair and structural engineering firm. It is a recognized leader in engineering and construction with over three decades of experience in foundation repair, hillside stabilization, structural repairs and upgrades and seismic retrofitting.

Alpha Structural is trusted by homeowners, commercial properties and municipalities alike. In May, for example, the Alpha Structural team completed a pedestrian bridge replacement project in Stanton following the destruction of the previous bridge in a vehicle collision that left a vital pedestrian thoroughfare inaccessible to the community. The firm handled every aspect of the project from its engineering design and full-scale construction.

The firm has inspected 35,000 properties and fixed over 7,500 since it was founded. Furthermore, it is the only firm in Los Angeles licensed to engineer and build any type of repair work, according to its website, and it works with its clients across Southern California through their entire project. There are no unknown subcontractors with Alpha Structural. Its team custom designs and builds the exact right solutions for the client and their budget.

Alpha Structural offers a range of different services, with its attention to detail, skilled craftsmanship, use of the most advanced and innovative repair and construction methods setting it apart from the competition. Its homeowner services include concrete foundation repair, earthquake bolting, foundation replacement, foundation underpinning, grade beam installation, hillside/landslide repair, hillside deck design and building, home leveling, waterproofing and stilt home reinforcement.

Multifamily family housing in a seismic zone creates several construction challenges, which Alpha Structural is trained to address. Services for these properties include basement expansion, balcony repairs, earthquake bolting, sister foundation installation, spalling concrete repair and soft story retrofitting.

A major seismic event in Southern California is just a matter of time,” Alpha Structural said on its website. “One of the best ways of ensuring your home and property are secured against the kind of damage an earthquake can cause is via soft story retrofitting. It can limit structural damage to your home — but most

importantly, it can help save lives! Soft story retrofitting is also mandated by law.”

For commercial clients, Alpha Structural offers several services, including waterproofing, foundation underpinning, spalling concrete repair, retrofitting for non-ductile concrete structures, steel frame buildings, URM building and CMU buildings, among others.

“Alpha Structural is a highly reputed foundation contractor offering services to homeowners in Los Angeles and across the Southern California region,” it said on its website. “Regardless of your budget or design, our team of residential service experts will work with you to deliver on your expectations both in terms of design and cost.”

David Tourjé, the Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Structural, decided to specialize in foundation and hillside repairs in the 1980s after building many custom hillside homes due to the increasing demands for this type of work.

Learn more about Alpha Structural at alphastructural.com or by calling 323-300-2195.

Best Home Improvement Businesses in SoCal, as

Voted for by the Community

Compiled by Picket Fence Media Staff

Earlier this year, Picket Fence Media published three special guides, Best of Dana Point, Best of San Clemente and Best of San Juan Capistrano, each recognizing the dozens of businesses, individuals and groups voted “Best” in town across the past year. Here are some of the best home improvement businesses in your community from 2024, voted for by the community.

From the Best of Dana Point 2024

Best Home Decor and Furnishings: HŌM Dana Point

24452 Del Prado Avenue, Suite A

949-276-6999

homdanapoint.com

At HŌM Dana Point, a home and interiors retail store, customers can find whatever they may need for their “HŌM,” or the home of a friend. The store hosts events and workshops throughout the year, interacting with the community. It boasts a wide range of indoor home décor and furnishings, such as doormats, dishware and pots.

Secondhand/Thrift Store-Home Improvement Store: 2nd Hand Treasures

34272 Doheny Park Road

949-218-7962

facebook.com/availabletreasures

2nd Hand Treasures caters to different generations and types of shoppers, with vintage and designer furniture, home décor, clothing and jewelry, which they sell and buy. They have a selection that includes lamps, dressers, tables, barstools, artwork, vintage coats and jackets, figurines, purses and glassware.

Home Improvement Service: Dana Point Hardware

24366 Del Prado Avenue

949-496-4158

doitbest.com

Dana Point Hardware is a family-owned business, operated by generations of the Sandberg family since the 1970s. It offers products from all the top hardware brands, including Milwaukee, Philips, DeWalt, SharkBite and Moen. It also offers services including key cutting, screen repair, lamp repair and propane exchanges.

From the Best of San Clemente 2024

Best Home Decor and Furnishings: Tuvalu Home Environment

222 N. El Camino Real

949-542-8242 tuvaluhome.com

San Clemente readers shop at Tuvalu Home Environment to get whatever they need to make their home look just the way they want it to appear. The home décor retailer carries a unique inventory of products and collections to suit every homeowner’s taste. Items for sale include candle holders, rugs, floor lamps and bar stools.

Best Thrift Store: La Tienda 510 N. El Camino Real

949-240-0441 latiendathriftstore.com

When readers want a deal, they feel that the best bargains can be found at La

Tienda offers a wide range of reasonably priced used goods such as clothing, electronics, furniture and appliances. Proceeds from sales support Joshua House, a charity that helps men struggling with problems such as addiction and homelessness rebuild their lives.

Best Home Improvement Store: Denault’s Ace Hardware

535 N. El Camino Real

949-492-3801

bit.ly/DenaultAceHardware

The friendly staff at Denault’s Ace Hardware helps San Clemente homeowners find what they need to make repairs and improvements to their residences. The hardware store carries a wide range of high-quality household products. Whether they know which specific paint, door hinge, smoke detector or drywall screws they want, or need some help picking out the right ones, customers can leave the store with the right products to get the job done.

Best Antiques: La Casa Verde de Granada

130 Avenida Granada

949-498-2560

instagram.com/lacasaverdestore

Bargain and treasure hunters alike can find thousands of items to sift through at La Casa Verde de Granada. For 14 years, the antique store has been buying and selling current and vintage brands that might otherwise have been discarded. Whether it is furniture, clothing, jewelry, kitchenware or nearly anything else, La Casa Verde de Granada carries something for nearly every shopper.

From the Best of San Juan Capistrano 2024

Best Nursery: Plant Depot

32413 San Juan Creek Road

949-240-2107

plantdepot.com

Plant Depot has helped customers transform their yards and gardens for over 25 years. The store has California-certified nurserymen and certified pest applicators, arborists and a rosarian on staff. The store offers discounts for seniors and veterans, local delivery and special orders for certain plants. Need a little advice? Its website has several free guides.

Best Home Improvement Store: Denault’s Ace Hardware

31862 Del Obispo Street

949-493-1031

acehardware.com

Hammers, a chop saw and roofing paper are easy to find, but Denault’s Ace is above the rest. The staff is always there with helpful advice or a gentle nudge in the right direction. Visit them when you are befuddled by the latest leak or crack.

Best Home Decor and Furnishings: Plant Depot Nursery and Gift

32413 San Juan Creek Road

949-240-2107

plantdepot.com

Those doggone aphids are eating your prize roses again, and no matter what you do you just can’t get rid of them. If that sounds familiar, it’s time for a visit to the Plant Depot, where there’s a certified pest applicator on staff. There are also arborists, a rosarian and California certified nurserymen. While there, buy a gift, as there’s plenty to choose from. Look for flowers and potted plants (obviously), sun hats, flowerpots (the nice kind), hand towels and doormats to name just a few things. If nothing else, take a walk and enjoy the flowers.

Best Antique/Secondhand Store: Old Barn Antique Mall

31792 Camino Capistrano

949-493-9144

facebook.com/theoldbarnantiquemall

Vintage clothing, jewelry, kitchenware and furniture. They’re all found one block from the Mission San Juan Capistrano in the Old Barn Antique Mall. More than 60 dealers sell their treasures in this 10,000-square-foot antique store.

FFire and Disaster Insurance Becoming Harder to Find Preparing for the

By Kaila Mellos

ire and disaster insurance is becoming increasingly important and increasingly expensive. Since 2022, seven of the top 12 insurance companies in the state have paused or restricted new businesses, citing the rising risk of wildfires. In addition, the updated Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) mapping all over California has made it clearer that insurance may be harder to acquire for some in the higher-risk areas.

Earlier this year, wildfires tore through the Los Angeles area. They destroyed thousands of structures, including businesses and homes, leaving residents worried about the remaining property and the impact the fires would have on insurance.

The scale of property losses is in the tens of millions, deemed one of the worst natural disasters to hit California, coming at a time when thousands of Californians have already found home insurance growing both unaffordable and unavailable.

Out of the embers and ash, the California Department of Insurance claims that over 80% of the state’s homeowner market has paused or restricted new businesses, citing the rising risk of wildfires and changing state regulations.

State Farm General Insurance, for example, is California’s largest property insurer. However, in March, it announced it would not renew 72,000 home and apartment policies statewide.

For those who do not or cannot find a provider for wildfire damage coverage, they can turn to the state’s FAIR Plan, an insurer of last resort.

In the last decade, more Californians have turned to the FAIR Plan as wildfires have devastated throughout the state, and some insurers have pulled back from these markets. While this plan will support homeowners regardless of a property’s fire risk, unlike traditional insurers, its goal is attrition.

For most homeowners, the FAIR Plan is a temporary safety net — there to support homeowners until coverage offered by a traditional carrier becomes available.

The FAIR Plan is a syndicated fire insurance pool comprised of all insurers licensed to conduct property/casualty business in California. The FAIR Plan was established by statute in August 1968 as an insurance placement facility.

All licensed property and casualty insurers that write basic property insurance required by the insurance code are members of the FAIR Plan. The plan issues policies on behalf of its member companies. Each member company participates in the profits, losses, and expenses of the plan in direct proportion to its market share of business written in the state.

As part of community outreach to inform residents of San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, San Clemente and other surrounding communities, city and state officials gathered in April to give residents information on their options and how to better protect their

Worst:

homes in the case a fire were to happen in their vicinity.

The meeting highlighted the recent updates to California’s fire hazard severity zones. To enhance wildfire resiliency measures, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an Executive Order fast-tracking the release of updated FHSZ mapping in Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs).

In South Orange County’s case, LRAs are areas protected by local fire districts, such as the Orange County Fire Department. With the updated fire-zone maps, portions of South Orange County cities are in a high and a very high-rated fire hazard severity zone. New state-directed responsibilities have been shared for residents in homes within these fire hazard severity zones (FHSZ).

“Defensible space” is the most important of those outlined in plans that homeowners can take to protect their homes. Those in Very High FHSZ must comply with stringent defensible space and home hardening requirements. Specifically, homeowners in this zone shall maintain a space within 100 feet of buildings, homes, and adjoining decks. Trees must be trimmed, dead or dying vegetation must be removed, and flammable brush must be cleared. The most significant degree of vegetation control and landscaping must occur within 30 feet of a home or building.

Taking these steps, according to OCFA Division Chief Cheyne Maule, can be used in a homeowner’s case to get insurers to lower rates due to taking action to protect their homes. The OCFA will also come out to check on homes in the community to ensure compliance with the new fire regulations, further providing goodwill towards insurers. Within the community, residents are also taking it upon themselves to come up with ways to protect their homes and possibly work with insurers to lower rates.

Local company Suntrek Solar has developed a system that controls a roof irrigation system used to heat customers’ pools, enabling it to drench a home in a matter of minutes in the event of a fire approaching.

In an experiment, the founder and a neighbor used their houses to test their creation. The system, while tested on these two houses, is a new venture for Suntrek and is expected to roll out within the coming months to protect homes during this year’s fire season.

With so many private home pools in the community, Suntrek has worked with many to install solar for them. It is a simple task to add an extra layer of protection to these homes. Sunktrek hopes to leverage many of these systems, working with their clients to prevent something that could be prevented.

The goal for them is to make this type of system more widespread within the community, as fires are becoming increasingly common each passing year. Those with pools will have a unique opportunity to use them to protect their homes and belongings.

They are also hoping that with this system, they will be able to add another benefit for their customers: homeowners’ insurance benefits.

Landscaping Do’s and Don’ts in Orange County

By Alicia Venter

Throughout Southern California, homeowners have beautified their lawns, taking advantage of the region’s moderate, Mediterranean climate for year-round gardens and foliage.

However, landscaping in Orange County does have its hurdles, as drought season can destroy a perfectly designed front garden and poor design on hillside slopes may lead to landsliding. There are a few crucial landscaping tricks that homeowners in Southern California should utilize, given the climate, including choosing plants wisely and having a plan for watering them.

“People always know that the droughts are coming,” Karsten Yoder of Yoder Family Landscaping said. “They are pretty conscientious of it here.”

Yoder Family Landscaping offers design, installation and hauling services from Costa Mesa to just north of Oceanside, completing hundreds of projects since Karsten and his family moved to Southern Orange County in 2010 from Phoenix, Ariz. In total, he has more than 34 years of experience, and as the owner of Yoder Family Landscaping, he works alongside his wife, Rebekah.

Finding the best plants for the home Orange County has a rich diversity of native plants that homeowners can utilize in their landscape planning, as they are well-suited to the local climate, including some sunflowers, poppies and California fuchsia.

“You got a little bit more varieties that you’re able to play with here, as opposed to

Phoenix, where it gets much warmer,” Yoder said.

But Southern California is getting hotter, and the tropical landscapes that used to dominate the area two decades ago are not as prevalent anymore. They started going away, Yoder said, because of warmer summers making it harder for people to keep tropical plants healthy.

Instead, in acknowledgment that droughts are an inevitability, succulents and other tolerant plants have become a popular choice for homeowners wanting to beautify their lawns.

“If we go through a few years of drought, the trend will be to get rid of the lawns and do drought tolerant gardens, such as a lot of succulent gardens,” Yoder said. “Drought tolerant goes beyond succulents. You’ve got your rosemary and lavenders. You can get into a lot of different colors and varieties with drought tolerant gardens. Even through years that aren’t as harsh, it’s still a very popular route to take here in Southern California.”

Also, people need to think beyond what they see when they first purchase their plants. A problem Yoder often sees is that people overplant their gardens, not expecting them to get as large as they do, and in a few years, they are forced to tear half of them down because it is too crowded.

“It’s always a good idea to bring a plant designer in, or someone who knows about plants and how big they get, and is more appropriately able to help these plants get es

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tablished and keep them distanced from each other,” Yoder said.

Notably, Southern California residents do not have to wait until spring or fall to plant gardens or install landscaping. Though they remain the best seasons to do so, people can begin building their perfect lawns in the winter and spring months as well, Yoder said.

Addressing droughts

Droughts are always around the corner, Yoder said, so alongside being selective when choosing the plant varieties for their lawn, people need to consider how they will water their plants.

“Watering is a huge issue,” he said. “A lot of people tend to overwater, especially when they first plant. You do water more to get it established, but once they’re established, people don’t understand that you can back way off the watering. A lot of these drought tolerant plants are fine with just a little bit of water, as opposed to what people do water around here.”

People should install irrigation systems, if possible, he added. During the hottest parts of the year, people will oftentimes leave their homes for extended periods of time for vacation or a weekend, and without an irrigation system, they can come home to their lawn destroyed. Furthermore, irrigation systems im-

Lighting the Way:

How Outdoor Design Turns Backyards into Living Spaces

Oprove the value of a home.

Hillside Slope Installation

There are a lot of slopes in Orange County, its sprawling hills filled with homes. It is crucial that landscapers are conscious of the impact their projects will have on the environment, as landscapes can happen if too much of the property is disturbed.

However, adding landscaping to slopes is a big business in the area, as homeowners do not want having their homes on a hill to stop them from creating their perfect lawn. For landscapers like Yoder, the trick is addressing the properties carefully and having the right tools for the job.

“You approach the with a lot more caution, even when it comes to irrigating them,” Yoder said. “We do try to do our best to protect our slopes, and there’s ways of doing that. After planting, we’ve got jute netting that we lay across the top to prevent surface erosion. These things can happen easier than what people think when you start digging into your slopes. You can create slides, so you dig with caution.”

Yoder Family Landscaping provides design and installation services across southern Orange County. Learn more about the services the team provides at yoderfamilyinc.com or by calling 949-485-0870.

By Angélica Escobar

utdoor lighting has become one of the most important features in backyard design, turning patios, kitchens and gardens into usable spaces long after the sun goes down. For homeowners, it’s not just about seeing where one is walking — it’s about creating ambiance, adding value and making the outdoors feel like another room in the house.

For Laura Bradburn, an outdoor lighting designer and licensed C7 low-voltage electrician based in Orange County, the foundation of any backyard extension comes down to how it’s lit. She works alongside designers and builders creating patios, kitchens and outdoor amenities, and her role is to make those spaces safe, functional and inviting once the sun sets.

“There are three ways I look at a space — safety, functionality, and beautification,” Bradburn said. “If you can achieve all three, the backyard becomes another room in the house.”

Safety means more than preventing trips and falls. Properly lit pools, steps and pathways protect guests while perimeter lighting discourages intruders. Functionality ensures a grill or dining table can be used comfortably at night. And beautification makes the outdoors as appealing as the indoors — not just for those enjoying the yard, but for anyone inside looking out at it.

“It extends the home,” Bradburn explained. “You don’t want to look out from your kitchen and see a black hole. The right lighting makes it seamless.”

Trends in backyard lighting reflect the way people are using these spaces. Bistro lights strung across patios create intimate gathering spots, while dedicated lighting now allows pickleball courts, putting greens and bocce courts to stay active well into the evening. Permanent roofline lighting is also growing in popularity, giving homeowners the ability to switch colors for holidays or

events from an app.

For those turning their properties into short-term rentals, lighting adds both peace of mind and curb appeal.

“When a renter arrives at a dark front door, it’s not inviting,” Bradburn said. “You need the entry lit, the pathway lit, and the perimeter lit so guests feel safe.”

From there, she tailors designs to highlight key amenities, like fire pits or large yards meant for gatherings, while making sure fixtures are durable enough to handle constant use. She favors brass fixtures with lifetime warranties, a choice that reduces maintenance headaches and transfers value to future homeowners.

Ambiance is another layer altogether. Bradburn avoids stark floodlights or single rows of path lights that can make a yard look like an airport runway. Instead, she relies on “light layering” — combining different sources and using warm tones to create atmosphere. Because nearly all high-quality fixtures today are LED, efficiency and dimming options are built in.

Lighting also provides a chance to showcase what makes a property unique. A towering palm, stone fireplace, sculpture or water feature can become a focal point when properly illuminated. Even without a full redesign, Bradburn suggests simply restoring and maintaining existing systems can dramatically improve a yard.

“Get them healthy again, then design with how you actually use the space in mind,” she said.

For homeowners investing in backyard extensions — whether to enjoy themselves, increase resale value, or make a property more appealing on Airbnb — lighting is what turns a collection of outdoor features into a true extension of the home.

Bradburn is the owner and president of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives. Learn more about the services it provides at outdoorlights.com/ocsouth.

On Outdoor Lighting Local Knowledge:

By Laura Bradburn

very time I walk a client through a finished outdoor lighting project, it feels like one of those perfect “big reveal” moments on HGTV. There’s an almost electric joy in watching their faces light up — literally and figuratively — when they see their home transformed. But as a professional with a degree in landscape architecture and years of hands-on experience, I know that outdoor lighting runs deeper than looks alone.

Take Barbara, for example — a San Clemente homeowner with a charming property that, unfortunately, seemed to vanish into the darkness each evening. “And evening is when I’m most available to enjoy it,” she told me. So I shared my design philosophy with her: every lighting plan should address three key priorities — safety, functionality, and beauty — in that order.

Safety came first. Rusted-out stairway fixtures and a dimly lit side yard created hazards and security concerns. Instead of resorting to harsh, off-the-shelf security lights, I designed elegant plant lighting that both beautified the space and signaled to would-be intruders to keep moving. Good lighting protects your home without compromising its style.

Next came functionality. Barbara’s backyard had a dining area and grassy space for games, but poor lighting meant it went unused after sunset. I integrated lighting into her patio cover for flexible dining illumination, added landscape fixtures to frame the lawn and strung bistro lights overhead to create a warm, inviting glow. The transformation was

Rock Pool Revival

instant — she could already picture hosting her church group and sharing laughter well into the night.

Finally, we focused on beauty. California homes are blessed with stunning plant material that comes alive under carefully layered lighting. From Barbara’s dining room, her view now extends through a softly lit flower bed to a trio of graceful pygmy palms. Every evening, she enjoys her own private resort scene without leaving the house.

As the owner of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, my work blends artistic vision with technical precision. I design lighting not just to showcase a home, but to enrich the lives lived there — to make evenings safer, gatherings more vibrant and moments more memorable.

I would tell readers not to let your home and outdoor space disappear when the sun goes down! With thoughtful, well-maintained lighting, your property can radiate warmth, security and beauty every night, even on a limited budget. As we head into fall’s longer evenings, this is the best time to see how a renewed lighting plan could enhance your home — and your joy.

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives

Laura Bradburn (949) 523-3936

OutdoorLights.com/ocsouth

Home Tax Credits Vanishing Under Passage of Bill

By Kaila Mellos

With the recent passage of the current President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBB) by Congress, many Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) energy efficiency and clean energy tax credits will be sunsetting as soon as Dec. 31. Three include tax credits for homeowners towards heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems, a residential solar tax credit and the end of home EV charging credits.

Changes in tax credit for heat pump water heaters

All households that pay federal income taxes are eligible for up to a $2,000 credit for the installation of qualifying heat pump water heaters, as long as it is purchased and installed by Dec. 31.

The 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement tax credit provides a tax credit for eligible heat pump water heaters up to 30% of project costs, capped at $2,000. Heat pump water heaters are just one of the home improvements that qualify for the 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. Projects like energy-efficient doors, insulation and heat pump heating and cooling may also be eligible.

The 25C tax credit is designed to incentivize high-efficiency equipment. Specifically, qualifying heat pump water heaters must meet or exceed the highest efficiency tier established by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE).

Efficiency standards and ratings can be difficult to evaluate, so it’s best to ask a contractor if the project qualifies for the 25C tax credit. Some manufacturer websites list tax credit eligible equipment, and so does the ENERGY STAR Product Finder. For the most comprehensive list of qualifying heat pump water heater models, see CEE’s directory.

The IRS has noted that to claim the credit, homeowners can rely on the manufactur-

er’s written certification that a product qualifies. So if the manufacturer’s website lists a specific heat pump water heater as eligible for 25C, and the project is completed by the end of 2025, that’s all they need.

To claim the credit with the IRS, homeowners must again purchase and install their heat pump water heater before Dec. 31, 2025. It is a good idea to keep track of the invoice from the contractor. The next step is to fill out IRS Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits, and submit the form along with the homeowner’s annual tax return.

Changes in residential solar tax credits

The solar tax credit is a government incentive that makes solar panels more affordable for homeowners and businesses. It reduces federal income tax liability by 30% of the homeowner’s total system costs. The homeowner claims the credit when filing their taxes for the year the solar panels are installed, allowing them to recoup almost a third of the installation costs shortly after installation.

The residential solar tax credit will now end at the end of 2025, about a decade ahead of schedule. For the credits to count on new installs, the project needs to be fully installed by Dec. 31.

With the news breaking after the law was signed on July 4, solar installations may now be seeing longer wait times for permitting and approvals for those who want to complete them before the credit expires.

Similar to heat pump water heaters, to claim the Residential Solar Tax Credit, homeowners must complete the installation by Dec. 31, and they will then have to file IRS Form 5695 with their 2025 federal tax return. This form calculates the credit based on one;s qualified solar expenses and applies it to their tax liability.

Electric Vehicle (EV) Home Charging Credits

Electric vehicles (EVs) and home EV chargers tax credits will be available for a little longer with a qualifying purchase. Attached to the purchase of an EV, the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit helps people living in low-income and non-urban census tracks get a credit for 30% of the cost to install an EV charger in their homes, up to a maximum of $1,000.

If homeowners are looking to purchase an EV, now might be the best time to do so to maximize savings. Drivers can get a tax credit of up to $7,500 for an eligible new EV and a tax credit of 30% of the sale price up to $4,000 for an eligible used EV.

To qualify for the tax credit, a new electric vehicle must have a battery with a capacity of at least 7 kilowatt hours, have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 14,000 pounds, be manufactured by a qualified manufacturer, undergo final assembly in North America and meet critical mineral and battery component requirements.

For used EVs, the exact requirements follow, in addition to having a sale price of $25,000 or less and being a model year at least two years older than the calendar year it was purchased. For example, a vehicle purchased in 2025 must be a model year of 2023 or older. The EV must also not have already been transferred after Aug. 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.

One must sign a lease or purchase agreement before Sept. 30, 2025 to qualify for an EV tax credit in this case. Once the car is in possession, homeowners have the option of installing a home charger. Homeowners must install the home EV charger before June 30, 2026, to qualify for the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit.

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Excel Electric is your preferred choice when you need electrical work or the help of an electrical contractor. You can rely on our experience to carry and complete any project, including:

• Panel Repairs and Circuit Breaker Installation

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