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.
Giving the Electrical Safety Authority the mandate to take control of licensing electrical contractors and master electricians has significantly reduced the amount of electric work done by unqualified contractors. Sometimes back licensing was done by municipalities, meaning the standards were quite uneven. Also, a contractor who worked in the northernmost part of the Canada's largest city would need a separate license to take up a job in Thornhill, which is just a 10-minute drive from the city. A whole new licensing system was later introduced.
The new licensing system came up with other requirements to add to the existing ones. For instance, a master electrical contractor is required to pass an ESA exam that covers areas like business practices, workplace safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) issues and permits, among others. He is also required to have the knowledge of safety and approvals of electrical products on the market. While all these will help to avert many electrical problems, homeowners have their role to play as well.
In 2007, the provincial Electricity Act was enacted which required homeowners to hire only licensed electrical contractors. Any homeowner who fails to comply with these regulations can be charged in accordance with the Act. However, you can avoid facing charges by checking the status of your electrical contractor. Names of licensed electrical contractors can be found in the ESA website. You can also locate a certified contractor in your neighborhood using the same online site.
The new regulations will improve electrical safety and the government's economy. However, there are still some challenges as a good number of homeowners take on do-it-yourself jobs, and most of them do not have the knowledge to do it safely. DIY'ers are required by law to have their work inspected. This means there will be an additional cost, the 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.
Giving the Electrical Safety Authority the mandate to take control of licensing electrical contractors and master electricians has significantly reduced the amount of electric work done by unqualified contractors. Sometimes back licensing was done by municipalities, meaning the standards were quite uneven. Also, a contractor who worked in the northernmost part of the Canada's largest city would need a separate license to take up a job in Thornhill, which is just a 10-minute drive from the city. A whole new licensing system was later introduced.
The new licensing system came up with other requirements to add to the existing ones. For instance, a master electrical contractor is required to pass an ESA exam that covers areas like business practices, workplace safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) issues and permits, among others. He is also required to have the knowledge of safety and approvals of electrical products on the market. While all these will help to avert many electrical problems, homeowners have their role to play as well.
In 2007, the provincial Electricity Act was enacted which required homeowners to hire only licensed electrical contractors. Any homeowner who fails to comply with these regulations can be charged in accordance with the Act. However, you can avoid facing charges by checking the status of your electrical contractor. Names of licensed electrical contractors can be found in the ESA website. You can also locate a certified contractor in your neighborhood using the same online site.
The new regulations will improve electrical safety and the government's economy. However, there are still some challenges as a good number of homeowners take on do-it-yourself jobs, and most of them do not have the knowledge to do it safely. DIY'ers are required by law to have their work inspected. This means there will be an additional cost, the 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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