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.
Requirements of the new system incorporated the old and new ones. The old requirements include that the student must pass exams administered by universities, colleges and Ministry of Training. In the new package, a master electrician should pass an exam administered by ESA. This exam covers topics like Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), business practices and the Consumer Protection Act, among others. That aside, homeowners have their part to play as well in minimizing occurrences of electrical problems.
According to the provincial Electricity Act effected in 2007, homeowners are required to use licensed electrical contractors only. This means that those who fail to do so could be charged in accordance with the Act. However, you can check the status of your contractor on the ESA website to verify they are certified. It is also possible to search for a qualified contractor in your area in their website.
The new Act came with many benefits including the improvement of safety and the economy. Safety is still a challenge because most inexperienced homeowners, perform DIY electric tasks. All do-it-yourself work should be inspected by experts from ESA. This means that you will incur an inspection fee.
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.
Requirements of the new system incorporated the old and new ones. The old requirements include that the student must pass exams administered by universities, colleges and Ministry of Training. In the new package, a master electrician should pass an exam administered by ESA. This exam covers topics like Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), business practices and the Consumer Protection Act, among others. That aside, homeowners have their part to play as well in minimizing occurrences of electrical problems.
According to the provincial Electricity Act effected in 2007, homeowners are required to use licensed electrical contractors only. This means that those who fail to do so could be charged in accordance with the Act. However, you can check the status of your contractor on the ESA website to verify they are certified. It is also possible to search for a qualified contractor in your area in their website.
The new Act came with many benefits including the improvement of safety and the economy. Safety is still a challenge because most inexperienced homeowners, perform DIY electric tasks. All do-it-yourself work should be inspected by experts from ESA. This means that you will incur an inspection fee.
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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