Golden Rule vs. Integra Electrical — Which Is Right for You?

So… you need an electrician.

And if you’ve started Googling around Des Moines, Iowa, chances are you’ve already come across a couple of big names, maybe even had that “Golden Rule… Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling!” jingle stuck in your head for three days straight. (We’ll admit it, us too. It’s a catchy one.)

At Integra Electrical, we know how overwhelming it can feel to compare service companies, especially when you’re not sure who specializes in what. We’ve spent the last 20+ years helping thousands of homeowners across central Iowa make sense of their electrical systems, especially in older homes where nothing is ever quite to code, or quite what you expected.

If you’re deciding between Golden Rule and Integra Electrical, you’re comparing two well-known names — but with very different approaches. Depending on your home, your budget, and what kind of experience you’re looking for, one may be a better fit than the other.

Our goal with this guide is simple: help you choose the company that’s right for you. When that happens, everyone wins: you get the service that fits your home and your goals, and we get to focus our time and energy on the homeowners who need the kind of specialized work we’re best at. 

Let’s talk about

• Who is Integra Electrical and Golden Rule?
• What each company offers
• How the companies tailor their services
• Comparing the payment options and pricing
• What It’s Like to Work With Each Company

Integra Electrical vs Golden Rule Comparison

Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical is a full-service home provider offering all four trades under one roof. With over 25 years of experience, they’re known for their wide range of services and fast, often same-day, response times. While their electrical department is a newer addition compared to their plumbing, heating, and cooling services, it now operates as part of their full-service team.

Integra Electrical is a residential-only electrical company that’s been serving homeowners in the Des Moines metro for more than 20 years. Unlike companies that cover multiple trades, we focus exclusively on electrical. Our team is made up of licensed electricians who work in homes every day, especially older ones with outdated or unsafe wiring. From safety upgrades to full system evaluations, our goal is to help homeowners feel confident that their electrical system is not only functional but built to last.

What Electrical Services Do Golden Rule and Integra Offer?

Golden Rule

Golden Rule is a full-service company offering electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling under one brand. This “one-stop shop” approach can be convenient for homeowners who want to bundle services or work with the same company for multiple systems. Their electrical department handles a wide range of jobs, from basic repairs to panel upgrades, and is part of a larger team that includes technicians from all their service areas.

Because electrical is just one part of what they do, it may not always be the sole focus of their training, staffing, or day-to-day operations. For homeowners with straightforward needs or newer homes, Golden Rule’s wide availability and cross-trade capabilities may be a good fit.

Integra Electrical

At Integra, we focus exclusively on residential electrical work - it’s all we do, and it’s been our specialty for over two decades. Our team is made up entirely of licensed electricians who work in homes every day, especially older ones where wiring is outdated, ungrounded, or no longer up to code.

Instead of offering HVAC or plumbing, we put all of our resources into electrical safety, diagnostics, and upgrades. That includes services like panel replacements, whole-home rewiring, adding dedicated circuits, and helping homeowners truly understand how their system works, not just fixing the symptom.

If your home was built before 2000 or you’ve noticed signs of aging electrical systems, our focused expertise may be the better fit.

We may not be the right choice if you’re simply looking for a quick, low-cost fix (Solution) without evaluating the rest of your system. We perform a full safety evaluation on every visit (at no cost) because we believe it’s the only way to give you real answers and long-term solutions.

What Electrical Repair Options Do Integra and Golden Rule Offer?

Golden Rule

Golden Rule offers electrical service options based on the type of work needed. Depending on the situation and technician, you may be presented with one main solution or a small range of options. In some cases, their technicians may focus on providing a fast, direct resolution, which can be ideal for homeowners looking for a quick fix or a simple repair.

For larger projects or more complex issues, Golden Rule may offer additional pricing tiers or service recommendations, especially when bundled with other home systems like HVAC or plumbing.

Integra Electrical

At Integra, we believe every home deserves a personalized approach. That’s why we never offer just one solution. On every call, we perform a full safety evaluation to understand how your system is functioning, not just where it’s failing.

Once we’ve diagnosed the issue, we’ll walk you through three to five tailored options that fit your home, your goals, and your budget.

Sometimes, that means fixing just the immediate issue, and we’ll always include an option that does exactly that. But we also provide options that go beyond the surface, with upgrades that can improve safety, efficiency, or help prevent future problems.

Our job isn’t to push one solution — it’s to give you a full picture of your electrical system so you can choose the level of repair that’s right for you. Whether you stick with a single repair or address deeper concerns, we’ll lay out your options clearly and without pressure.

We may not be the best fit if you’re simply looking for a quick patch or a lowest-cost fix without a full system evaluation. We take the time to do things thoroughly, not just because it’s how we work, but because it’s how we believe homes should be cared for.

Pricing and Payment Options: What to Expect Before You Say Yes

Golden Rule

Golden Rule typically charges a service fee of around $70 to come out and assess the issue. If you choose to move forward with the work, that amount should be deducted from your final invoice. For most standard services, you’ll receive a flat-rate price once the technician evaluates the system.

For more complex jobs or bundled services across plumbing, HVAC, and electrical, they may provide tiered pricing or additional recommendations. Their structure can work well for homeowners who value fast, bundled service across multiple systems, though pricing can sometimes vary depending on which department or technician you’re working with.

Integra Electrical

At Integra, we don’t charge to come out and take a look. Your service visit, safety evaluation, and walkthrough are all provided at no cost to you — no trip fee, no diagnostic charge, and no obligation to move forward.
After we evaluate your system, we’ll present a range of 1–5-star options, each with a clear, upfront price. The 1-star option focuses on resolving the immediate issue and taking care of any must-do safety or code-related updates. From there, higher-tier options build on that foundation, offering additional upgrades to improve system reliability, efficiency, or long-term performance.

We focus on delivering solutions that are safe, thorough, and built to last. Whether you choose a basic repair or a more comprehensive upgrade, the price you select is the price that will appear on your invoice. There are no hidden fees, no last-minute changes, and no pressure to spend more than you’re comfortable with.
We’ll give you the full picture, and you decide what makes the most sense for your home and your family.

Customer Experience: What it's like to Work With Each Company

Golden Rule

Golden Rule is known for its quick scheduling, often offering same-day or next-day service depending on availability. With a large team covering multiple trades, your experience may vary slightly depending on which department or technician you’re working with.

Customers often mention how responsive the company is and how the scheduling process is communicated. Golden Rule also offers a Gold Club Membership, which includes perks like priority service, discounts, and bundled maintenance across plumbing, HVAC, and electrical, for just over $8 a month.

With a bigger team and a wider service scope, the level of personalization can vary from one visit to the next. For homeowners looking for speed and a full-service provider, this model can be a convenient fit.

Integra Electrical

At Integra, the customer experience often begins before we ever visit your home. Many homeowners find us through our educational content, where we aim to answer common questions and provide clear, helpful information upfront.

When you schedule a visit, you’ll speak with a member of our team who can walk you through what to expect. Because we focus exclusively on residential electrical work, we take the time to evaluate your full system, explain what we find, and provide several options, all without rushing the process.

Our electricians arrive in professional uniform and follow consistent service practices designed to respect your home and your time. We don’t offer a membership program, but we approach every job with a long-term mindset. Our goal is to earn your trust, not just for today’s project, but as a customer for life.

That said, our process may not be the best fit for homeowners who are looking for a quick estimate or a minimal repair without a full system review. We take a thorough approach because we believe it leads to better, safer outcomes.

So…Which Company is Right for You?

Both Golden Rule and Integra Electrical have solid reputations in the Des Moines, Iowa area, but they’re built to serve homeowners in different ways.

If you’re looking for a one-stop shop that can handle your plumbing, HVAC, and electrical needs all at once, or if you already have a membership with Golden Rule, their full-service model might be the right fit for you.
But if your home’s electrical system needs more focused attention — whether it’s older and outdated, or even if your home is newer but safety and long-term reliability are top priorities — Integra might be the better choice.
At the end of the day, we hope this comparison helped you feel more confident about what to expect and who might be the right fit for your project.

Still weighing your options? Check out our guide to the Top 5 Electricians in Des Moines, a helpful roundup to make your search easier.

Or, if you'd like us to take a look, schedule a no-cost visit here, and we’ll walk you through your options.