The worst ice storm that has ever struck Toronto occurred in 2013, leaving 250,000 homes that use hydro-electricity without power. It was reported that unlicensed electricians took the advantage of the catastrophe to rip off the affected homeowners of their hard-earned money in order to have their power restored. This is something common in the Canada's largest city, but you can save yourself from such rip-offs by hiring licensed electricians in Toronto certified by Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).
Almost a half of homeowners in the Canada's largest city either hire unlicensed contractors to do electrical wiring or fix electrical problems themselves. This explains why twenty percent of all fires happening in Canada annually are due to unstable wiring systems and improper connections. The amount of work done by unlicensed contractors can be reduced by hiring electrical professionals do the work.
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.
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.
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 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.
One of the benefits of hiring a licensed electrician is that the inspection fee will be waived. You will be required to pay the fee if you hired an unlicensed contractor. Also, you will not have any redress to call back a contractor who is not licensed should there be something that needs fixing.
While the initial cost of hiring an unlicensed contractor is low, the overall cost is quite a huge chunk of money. Cheap is expensive. It is, therefore, advisable to always hire contractors who are insured, bonded and licensed.
Almost a half of homeowners in the Canada's largest city either hire unlicensed contractors to do electrical wiring or fix electrical problems themselves. This explains why twenty percent of all fires happening in Canada annually are due to unstable wiring systems and improper connections. The amount of work done by unlicensed contractors can be reduced by hiring electrical professionals do the work.
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.
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.
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 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.
One of the benefits of hiring a licensed electrician is that the inspection fee will be waived. You will be required to pay the fee if you hired an unlicensed contractor. Also, you will not have any redress to call back a contractor who is not licensed should there be something that needs fixing.
While the initial cost of hiring an unlicensed contractor is low, the overall cost is quite a huge chunk of money. Cheap is expensive. It is, therefore, advisable to always hire contractors who are insured, bonded and licensed.
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