If you’re looking to have electrical work done in your home or business, you are required by law to hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor. This will be the first step in ensuring your work is done safely and up to code. As a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) in Ontario, we are required to employ a Designated Master Electrician, carry WSIB insurance and a minimum of $2 million dollars in commercial liability insurance. But how do you find a licensed electrical contractor? It’s not always easy. Here is some information on how you can protect your number one asset by hiring a qualified professional for your next job.

What is a Licensed Electrical Contractor?

There are 3 different types of Electrical Licenses in Ontario. First, apprentices who are fully licensed to work in the trade while training and going to school to attain their Red Seal License. Second, there are Red Seal Journey-Persons who are licensed to work across the country and qualified to train apprentices. Finally, there are Master Electricians. Getting your Masters License means you have been qualified by a Provincial Crown Corporation, the Electrical Safety Authority, to obtain a license to open a Licensed Electrical Contracting Company. It means you have passed additional testing that deems you qualified to run your own electrical business. It is a well regulated and enforced system which protects home owners and trades within the industry.

Here Are Some Steps You Can Follow:

1. Check for proper licensing and insurance: Before hiring any electrical contractor, you should verify that they hold a valid license and insurance. This is important because electrical work can be dangerous and you want to make sure that the person doing the work is qualified and insured in case of any accidents.
   
2. Look for reviews and recommendations: One of the best ways to find a reputable electrical contractor is to ask for recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues. You can also check online reviews from previous customers to get an idea of the quality of their work and customer service. Some excellent contractors out there only work on “word of mouth” referrals. You can also try searching yelp, google maps or websites like Home Stars.
   
3. Ask about their experience and qualifications: When speaking with potential electrical contractors, ask about their experience and qualifications. How long have they been in business? What types of electrical work have they done in the past? Do they have any certifications or specializations? These questions can help you determine if the contractor has the necessary knowledge and experience to do the job. Some types of electrical installations can be highly specialized. While a well qualified electrician should be able to adapt and understand many various types of equipment, their business may not be set up well for that type of work.
   
   
   
   
4. Get a detailed written estimate: A reputable electrical contractor should be willing to provide you with a detailed written estimate that includes the scope of the work, materials to be used, and labor costs. This will help you avoid any surprise charges and give you a clear understanding of what the job will entail. You can also gauge the quality of their work by how effectively they communicate, wether they are punctual with their timing and responses and the amount of effort they put into their corrospondence.
   
5. Check for warranties and guarantees: When hiring an electrical contractor, you should ask about any warranties or guarantees they offer for their work. This can give you peace of mind knowing that the work is covered in case of any issues down the line. The industry standard for electrical warranties is 1 year past the date of installation on parts and labour. Since electrical devices and products in Canada are certified to rigorous safety standards, the rate of failure is extremely low. NSC Electric, for example, has a less than 1% call back rate for warranties and repairs.
   
6. Ask about their safety protocols: Electrical work can be dangerous, so it’s important to hire a contractor who takes safety seriously. Ask about their safety protocols, including how they plan to ensure your safety and the safety of their workers while on the job. They are required by law to have a safety plan in place should something happen. They are also required by law to have proper licensing and training for working on ladders and aerial platforms. Most importantly you should make sure that they are never working live. There are some cases where troubleshooting live equipment is required, however it is against the law to work on live equipment without proper PPE and protocols.
   
   
   
7. Compare quotes: Once you’ve gathered estimates from a few different electrical contractors, take the time to compare them. Look for any significant differences in price or scope of work and ask the contractors to explain any discrepancies. Contractors break down their prices in many different ways. Some give details for each specific material and some give more broad pricing. It’s important to gauge the quality of their quote. Depending on the level and effort and quality of the quote you receive is likely going to be reflective of the effort and quality of work they put into your job.

In Conclusion

By following these tips, you can find a licensed electrical contractor who is qualified, reliable, and trustworthy. Remember, electrical work can be dangerous, so it’s important to take the time to find the right contractor for the job. Click here to view a list of our available services.