The Top 6 Things to Look for in an Electrical Contractor

You’re doing a home reno and everything is falling in to place. Fresh drywall and paint on the walls, new unscratched flooring, dining room table and couch ready for family time, but wait…it’s very dark in here. Right…the electrical. The new kitchen island pendants need to be put up (do we go with or without dimmers?), the dining room chandelier sits in the corner, and somebody has to install these pot lights! It’s time to call in the electrician.

Here are some things to look for when hiring an electrical contractor.

They’re ESA / ECRA Certified (applies to the province of Ontario)

What does this mean? ESA stands for Electrical Safety Authority, and ECRA is the Electrical Contractor Registration Agency. These are the governing bodies of electrical contractors within Ontario, Canada and your electrician is required to be licensed through these entities in order to work as an independent contractor.

Not sure if an electrician is licensed? Electrical contractors are required to display their license number on all of their marketing materials and company vehicles.

The standard format is “ECRA / ESA” followed by 7 numbers (Ours is ECRA / ESA 7012795). When an electrician is licensed, it means that they have fulfilled all safety and code requirements necessary to legally become an electrical contractor. Also, don’t be afraid to ask a potential electrical contractor for their license number. You can also find a list of licensed electrical contractors on the ESA website

They Have a “Safety First” Attitude

A skilled and trust-worthy electrician will not cut corners. Not only will they take their time to make sure that the job is done right, but they will also make sure that it’s done safely. After all, this is your home and family. A good electrician takes this into consideration with every single project.

They’re a Good Communicator

Not everyone is a skilled tradesperson. That’s why we call in the pros! A good electrician will walk you through the process of your project, give you updates and clearly explain what things mean. Not only does a good electrician have the technical skills, but they can also listen to your needs and answer your questions in a clear and helpful way. You should never be hesitant to ask your electrician questions if you don’t understand something or if a project is not going the way you expected. A good electrician will also be able to make recommendations on certain products and ideal lighting for a given space. They are a great resource, so keep those lines of communication open!

They’re Organized

This may sound like a given, but we’re not necessarily talking about how they do paperwork or schedule projects (although this is also super important!); we’re talking about the work itself.

It’s easy to admire a beautiful chandelier or trendy pot lights, but the guts of electrical work are hidden in the walls.

A good electrician won’t take this as an opportunity to get lazy with their work. Nope – their work is clean. Ever move into a new home, open up the panel for the first time and see a mass of wires all over the place? Or perhaps, you’ve taken down old drywall to find a confusing path of random cables in random colours going in random directions with no rhyme or reason? Stop the madness!

They work with a Permit

Although not all electrical work carried out by an electrical contractor requires a permit issued through ESA, the majority of it does. A good electrician will explain to you why a permit is or isn’t necessary. It’s an inexpensive process that assures your home is safe and meets your home insurance policy requirements. Your contractor isn’t pulling a permit? Ask them why. Don’t like their answer? Consult with ESA to verify. Remember, a building permit and an electrical permit are not the same thing.

They’re Willing to Introduce You to Other Contractors and Industry Professionals

It’s all about who you know, and some electricians have gained a lot of connections over the course of their careers. As a result, an electrician who is willing to share some of these contacts with you is an added bonus. Looking at getting some new HVAC in the next few months, or perhaps your plumbing is on the fritz? Don’t be afraid to ask your electrician if they know a guy…or girl 🙂