In 2013, Toronto was one of the hardest hit by a severe ice storm that struck the central and eastern portion of Canada. As a result, utility poles collapsed under the weight of thick ice accumulation, leaving over 250,000 hydro customers without electricity. Complaints were raised that unlicensed electrical contractors ripped off homeowners desperate to have their power restored in the wake of the storm. Electricians in Toronto are licensed by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). It is crucial to ensure that your contractor has this permit to avoid rip-offs and other safety hazards.
According to yearly statistics, about 20 percent of fires that occur in Canada are caused by electrical work done improperly. This can be attributed to the fact that about 50 percent of Canadian homeowners hire unlicensed contractors to work on their electric systems. Also, a good number of homeowners fix electrical problems on their own. This means that there is lots of electrical work done by unqualified contractors.
As a way of reducing the amount of work done by unqualified handymen, the Canadian government mandated Electrical Safety Authority to control the licensing of master electricians and electrical contractors. Prior to that, municipalities used to give licenses to contractors, a practice which meant that standards were quite uneven. It also meant that an electrician who worked some few miles from the Canada's largest city would need a separate permit to take up a job there.
Under the new licensing system, electrical contractors are still required to pass exams administered by colleges, universities and the Ministry of Training. A master electrician must pass an ESA exam that covers the construction lien requirements, Consumer Protection Act, permits, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) issues, and business practices. A master electrical contractor must also be well-versed in the approvals and safety of the electrical products on the market.
In Toronto, the Electrical Act requires homeowners to hire certified electrical contractors only. You can be charged in accordance with these new regulations for hiring a contractor who is not licensed. With homeowners being able to check the status of their contractor in the ESA website, it makes no sense to hire an unlicensed electrician. You can also use the website to find a licensed contractor located near your home.
The main goal of the new regulations is to boost safety measures when undertaking electrical work. The Act can work even better if the DIY homeowners are made aware of the fact that the law requires their work be inspected. This means DIY'ers will incur inspection cost.
The inspection fee is waived if you hired licensed electricians to replace an existing electrical system. If, on the other hand, a homeowner hires an unlicensed contractor, the inspection fee will apply. Hiring unlicensed contractors come with other demerits including the fact that you will have no redress to bring the tradesman back if something needs to be fixed.
Hiring an unlicensed electrical contractor is not worth the risk. Insured and licensed electrical contractors are the right people to hire. Visit the ESA website to verify that they are certified to do the business.
According to yearly statistics, about 20 percent of fires that occur in Canada are caused by electrical work done improperly. This can be attributed to the fact that about 50 percent of Canadian homeowners hire unlicensed contractors to work on their electric systems. Also, a good number of homeowners fix electrical problems on their own. This means that there is lots of electrical work done by unqualified contractors.
As a way of reducing the amount of work done by unqualified handymen, the Canadian government mandated Electrical Safety Authority to control the licensing of master electricians and electrical contractors. Prior to that, municipalities used to give licenses to contractors, a practice which meant that standards were quite uneven. It also meant that an electrician who worked some few miles from the Canada's largest city would need a separate permit to take up a job there.
Under the new licensing system, electrical contractors are still required to pass exams administered by colleges, universities and the Ministry of Training. A master electrician must pass an ESA exam that covers the construction lien requirements, Consumer Protection Act, permits, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) issues, and business practices. A master electrical contractor must also be well-versed in the approvals and safety of the electrical products on the market.
In Toronto, the Electrical Act requires homeowners to hire certified electrical contractors only. You can be charged in accordance with these new regulations for hiring a contractor who is not licensed. With homeowners being able to check the status of their contractor in the ESA website, it makes no sense to hire an unlicensed electrician. You can also use the website to find a licensed contractor located near your home.
The main goal of the new regulations is to boost safety measures when undertaking electrical work. The Act can work even better if the DIY homeowners are made aware of the fact that the law requires their work be inspected. This means DIY'ers will incur inspection cost.
The inspection fee is waived if you hired licensed electricians to replace an existing electrical system. If, on the other hand, a homeowner hires an unlicensed contractor, the inspection fee will apply. Hiring unlicensed contractors come with other demerits including the fact that you will have no redress to bring the tradesman back if something needs to be fixed.
Hiring an unlicensed electrical contractor is not worth the risk. Insured and licensed electrical contractors are the right people to hire. Visit the ESA website to verify that they are certified to do the business.
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