Choosing an electrician is not the same as choosing a painter or a landscaper. Electrical work is regulated, inspected, and — when done incorrectly — genuinely dangerous. In Ontario, the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) oversees all electrical installations and requires licensed contractors for virtually all wiring work. Yet every year, homeowners hire unlicensed individuals and pay the price in failed inspections, insurance disputes, and unsafe wiring hidden behind drywall.
This guide walks you through exactly what to check before hiring an electrician in Ontario — whether you need a simple outlet replacement or a full home rewire.
Verify their ECRA/ESA licence
Every electrical contractor in Ontario must hold a valid ECRA/ESA licence number. This is non-negotiable. You can verify any contractor's licence status directly on the ESA website (esasafe.com) by searching their name or licence number. If a contractor cannot provide their licence number or gets defensive when you ask, walk away immediately.
A valid licence means the contractor carries proper insurance, employs certified electricians, and is authorized to pull ESA permits. Without it, any work done on your home is technically illegal under the Electricity Act — and your homeowner's insurance may not cover damages resulting from unlicensed work.
Red flags to watch for
- No written quote — verbal estimates protect the contractor, not you
- Cash-only pricing with a discount for skipping the permit
- No ESA permit pulled before work begins
- Unable or unwilling to provide their ECRA/ESA licence number
- No Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) coverage
- Pressure to commit immediately or lose a special price
- No references or online reviews from verifiable customers
What a professional quote should include
A proper electrical quote should be written, itemized, and include the scope of work, materials, labour, ESA permit fees, and a timeline. It should also state the contractor's ECRA/ESA licence number and confirm that all work will be performed to the current Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC). If the quote is a single line — "rewire basement: $4,000" — that is not a professional quote.
Get at least two or three quotes for any significant project. Be wary of quotes that are dramatically lower than others — the difference usually comes from skipping permits, using substandard materials, or cutting corners on labour that you will not see until something goes wrong.
The cheapest electrician is almost never the best value. A failed ESA inspection means rework at your expense. Unpermitted work can void your insurance. Hire for quality and compliance — the cost difference is far less than the risk.
Questions to ask before hiring
- What is your ECRA/ESA licence number?
- Will you pull the ESA permit for this work?
- Do you carry liability insurance and WSIB coverage?
- Can you provide references from recent similar projects?
- What is your warranty on labour and materials?
- Who will be doing the actual work — you or a subcontractor?
At Safer Electric, our ECRA/ESA licence number is on every quote, every invoice, and our website. We pull permits on every job that requires one — no exceptions. Ask us anything.
Safer Electric Team
Licensed Electricians · Toronto, ON
Our team of licensed GTA electricians writes these guides to help homeowners make informed decisions. Every article is reviewed for technical accuracy.