Finding the Right Contractor

It might be difficult to decide who to hire when there are so many people offering to handle electrical repairs. To make sure you only choose a qualified professional to conduct electrical work in your home, heed these suggestions.

What’s the Difference?

The only companies in Ontario that are legally permitted to perform electrical work in your house are Licensed Electrical Contractors (LECs). Master electricians and qualified electricians are not allowed to work for pay.

 

How to recognize the distinctions:

The only company you can hire is a licensed electrical contracting business.

    • You can hire the electrical contractor company in Ontario to handle electrical work in your house.
    • To guarantee the safety of the work, they might ask ESA for a notification (Permit).
    •   Their seven-digit ECRA/ESA license number serves as proof that they are permitted to provide electrical services to the general public in Ontario. It can be seen on their estimates, business cards, and cars.
    •   Before hiring someone to do electrical repair in your house, always request to see this number. 

 

Certified Electricians – Do not hire.

  • Trades persons who have been trained and certified to do electrical work.
  • Employed by Licensed Electrical Contracting Businesses to do electrical work in your home.
  • Have certification from the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT), proving that they are trained to do the job safely, but they cannot be hired directly to do electrical work.

Master Electricians – Do not hire.

  • Individuals licensed by ESA to manage and supervise the work performed by the Licensed Electrical Contracting Business.
  • Employed by Licensed Electrical Contracting Businesses.
  • They ensure all business requirements (labour laws, health, and safety regulations) are followed.
  • Have their own unique Master Electrician licence, but it is not the same as an ECRA/ESA licence, so they cannot be hired directly to do electrical work.

Unlicensed Electrical Contractors

Many unlicensed electrical contractors may offer their services at a lower rate, but there are consequences:

  • Their work has been found to be up to four times faultier than work done by licensed electrical contractors.
  • If an unlicensed contractor gets hurt on the job, the homeowner may be responsible as the unlicensed contractor may not be insured.
  • Insurance claims linked to work performed by an unlicensed contractor may be denied by your insurance company.

Note: General Contractors are not licensed to do electrical work. Make sure that your General Contractor hires a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) to do any electrical work. Learn more about working with General Contractors.

https://esasafe.com/compliance/finding-the-right-contractor/