Electrical Contractor Licensing

Who can do electrical installations?

Apart from doing electrical work in your own primary residence, in Ontario no one can perform any electrical work or have work inspected apart from a licensed electrical contractor. ESA, or the Electrical Safety Authority, is the body with the authority to set the rules governing all electrical installations. They have a very informative website that explains the reasoning behind regulating the trade.
http://www.esainspection.net/

Some small renovation contractors feel comfortable doing their own electrical installations, and at one time any licensed electrician could take out a permit. No any longer; ESA lists builders who have been taken to court for attempting electrical work without being qualified.

How do you become a contractor? First, you must serve an electrical apprenticeship and once licensed, keep your annual fees paid up. Then, you take a masters course for about a thousand dollars, and pay $60.00 annually to keep your masters active. Then pay in excess of a thousand dollars annually for liability insurance. Then you may apply for and meet the conditions of a contractors license, at about $400. annually in advance. Then, apart from personal injury insurance, WSIB, GST, Revenue Canada, Vehicle costs, etc, you are ready to start doing electrical installations.

I can not tell you if contractor licensing has had the desired effect of controlling the electrical trade, dealing with unqualified people doing electrical work. If the amount of material being sold by big box stores is any indication, the answer is no. Either way, my overhead as a contractor doubled and the costs must be passed on by me and every other legitimate contractor in Ontario. I do, though, strongly encourage using a reputable contractor. Your brother-in-law might very well be a handy person, but if he isn't a licensed contractor who has paid his dues and has an ESA/ECRA number in the format of 700****, he doesn't have the right to help you with your wiring.

Electrical Advice Orillia

Welcome to Electrical Advice Orillia!

Here's a brand new blog where I can pass on to you the local homeowner the benefits of my 35 years in the trade. It won't be a DIY advice forum, but will aim at helping you plan your projects wisely, and decide on service upgrades, home re-wiring or new home projects. We'll also discuss choosing a contractor and the pros and cons of various choices you may be challenged with. I hope you find it informative and welcome yoou questions and comments.

Once you are ready to go ahead with you project, give me an email or a call. I'll be glad to discuss it with you.

Dave Armishaw
Armishaw Electric

Choosing an Electrician

Electrical work, whether repairs or new installations doesn't come cheap. Certainly, for a homeowner it is important to be able to find an electrician who can come when needed, but also be trustworthy.

Most advice for dealing with any tradespeople for work beyond a service call insists on getting three written quotes with references, which in turn should be checked out before signing on the dotted line. I participate in an online forum for U.S. renovation contractors, and the discussion on this matter is exactly what I find here in Orillia.

In larger centers like Toronto, homeowners depend on the Yellow Pages, where three prices makes sense. Even in a similar sized community to Orillia, nearer to Toronto, I had good success in growing a contracting business by advertising. Although Orillia has long had city status, it behaves much more like a small town, I've learned in the twenty years I've done business here. I've advertised, with little result. Orillia, like any small community,operates on "word of mouth" and personal recommendations. This can be frustrating for people new to the community, but keeps costs down. For the contractor, pricing three or four jobs for every one you get is costly, it takes time to investigate a proposed project or pricing; it's time you aren't earning. Also, if you get a job through the recommendation of a long-time customer, you can be fairly sure you will be paid promptly.

Lastly, there is always the issue of availability. Established renovation contractors in Orillia get considerable repeat business,and can be booked ahead for many months. Electrical work is somewhat different, but it can still be a choice of waiting or planning ahead, or accepting whatever price or workmanship is available.

Recommendations are best. I've built a good reputation, as have many other electrical contractors here in town. A good contractor will explain what options you as a customer may have, make an effort to accommodate your schedule, work neatly and respectfully while in your home and try to complete the work in reasonable time.

Any more questions? Contact me at davearmishaw@live.ca and I'll try to help you out.