The following was submitted on behalf of Emily Larose, vice-president, regulatory and general counsel, with the Electrical Safety Authority.
As the housing market in Ontario continues to rebound, many new homeowners are eager to renovate to upgrade their new investment. However, when embarking on any type of renovation project, it is essential to carefully consider who you hire for the job, especially for electrical work.
Unqualified or poorly completed electrical work can be extremely dangerous and can lead to severe consequences. In fact, unlicensed electrical work has been found to have four times more safety issues.
To help ensure you hire the right professional to keep you and your new property safe from electrical harm, the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) has three tips to follow.
Always check for licence number before hiring
When choosing who to hire for electrical work, always verify their credentials to ensure they are a licensed electrical contractor (LEC). In Ontario, only LECs can be hired to complete electrical work in your home — it’s the law. These qualified professionals make sure everything complies with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, and they will file for an ESA permit on your behalf.
Verify you are hiring an LEC by looking for their ECRA/ESA licence number, which should be easily found on their work vehicle, invoices, estimates, and print and online advertisements.
Be aware of red flags
When browsing online advertisements, be cautious and review them thoroughly. Fake credentials or even misleading ads could put you and your new home at risk.
Recently, the ESA issued two administrative penalties totalling $6,000 to an Ontario contractor, Johnson Kalistan, for permitting and employing an unlicensed individual to carry out electrical work and for advertising unlicensed electrical services online on Kijiji. Kalistan used different names to advertise electrical services without a licence, from pot light installation to high-risk electrical tasks like working on electrical panels that could cause serious harm.
Misleading online ads can trick consumers into hiring unlicensed and unqualified individuals. That’s why it’s important to watch out for red flags that may indicate your electrician is not licensed, including:
- No ECRA/ESA licence number in their online ad, on their vehicle, invoices or estimates, or reluctance to show their licence number when asked.
- Offering additional contracting services such as drywall, flooring, plumbing or other home improvements.
- Asking you to get the ESA permit or claiming it is not required for the job.
- Offering discounts or savings for paying in cash and not providing a receipt.
- Suggesting you claim to have completed the work yourself.
Request certificate of acceptance to protect your investment
Once the job is finished, request a copy of the ESA certificate of acceptance. This is your record that the electrical work was registered with and has been accepted by the ESA, in line with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. This document is important for your insurance, as well as the potential resale of your home.
Unlicensed electrical work is not only illegal but also a safety risk. By hiring an LEC, you can protect your family and your investment from avoidable dangers of electrical harm.
For more tips and to find or verify you are hiring an LEC, visit HireLicensed.ca.
