Electrical work, done by licensed pros.
Electrical is the one category where doing it yourself can void your insurance and, in the worst case, burn the house down. Ontario requires an ESA-licensed electrical contractor for most work, and the paperwork matters as much as the wiring.
Tell IzDon what you need — a panel upgrade, pot lights, an EV charger, or a breaker that keeps tripping — and we connect you with licensed local electrical contractors.
DIY or pro? Changing a light bulb, a plug-in fixture or resetting a breaker is fine. Anything inside a panel, any new circuit, and anything involving aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring needs a licensed electrical contractor and an ESA notification.
What this covers
Pick the closest match and we'll start your request with it filled in.
What usually goes wrong
The electrical issues GTA homeowners ask about most — and what they typically mean.
A breaker that keeps tripping
Usually an overloaded circuit, but it can also be a failing breaker or a ground fault. Repeated tripping is the panel doing its job — don't keep resetting it.
Flickering or dimming lights
Loose neutral, a failing connection, or an undersized service. Whole-house flicker when the furnace or dryer starts deserves a same-week look.
Warm outlets, scorch marks or a burning smell
Stop using the circuit and shut it off at the panel. This is an emergency call.
Two-prong outlets and no ground
Common in pre-1960s GTA homes. GFCI protection is the usual code-compliant fix short of rewiring.
Knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring
Many insurers will refuse or surcharge coverage. Remediation or pigtailing by a licensed contractor is what they want to see documented.
100-amp service with a heat pump or EV on the way
Load calculations usually push you to 200 amps. Do this before you buy the charger, not after.
Outdoor outlet or pool equipment tripping in the rain
GFCI doing its job, a damaged cover, or water in the box.
What electrical costs in the GTA
Typical Greater Toronto Area price bands for residential electrical work in 2026. ESA fees are usually included in a contractor's quote — confirm.
| Job | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Service call / diagnostic | $120 – $250 | First hour usually included |
| Install or replace an outlet or switch | $150 – $350 | Per device, less for multiples |
| Pot lights (installed) | $150 – $300 each | Cheaper on an open ceiling |
| Ceiling fan or fixture install | $180 – $450 | More if no existing box |
| EV charger (Level 2) install | $1,200 – $3,000 | Distance to panel is the driver |
| Panel upgrade 100A → 200A | $2,500 – $5,000 | Includes ESA and utility coordination |
| Whole-home rewire | $12,000 – $30,000+ | Knob-and-tube removal sits at the top |
| Standby generator install | $8,000 – $20,000 | Gas hookup priced separately |
| Aluminum wiring pigtailing | $1,500 – $4,000 | Per home, varies by outlet count |
Estimate ranges for the Greater Toronto Area, not quotes. Actual pricing depends on your home, access and scope — always get it in writing.
What moves the price
- Distance from the panel — every extra metre of wire pulled through finished walls adds labour.
- Finished vs. open walls — fishing wire behind drywall can double a quote.
- Panel capacity — if the service can't carry the new load, the upgrade comes first.
- ESA notification and inspection fees.
- Older wiring — aluminum, knob-and-tube or cloth wire found mid-job changes the scope.
Want a real number for your electrical job? Tell us what you need and local pros will quote it.
Get It DonePermits, licences & Ontario rules
In Ontario, electrical work is regulated by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), not by your municipal building department. The contractor files a notification and ESA inspects.
An ESA notification is required for
New circuits, panel changes and upgrades, service changes, EV charger installs, rewiring, hot tub and pool wiring, and most new fixtures on new wiring.
Use an ECRA/ESA licensed contractor
Only a licensed electrical contractor can legally take on electrical work for hire in Ontario. Their ECRA/ESA licence number should appear on the quote, invoice and vehicle.
Get the Certificate of Acceptance
After inspection, ESA issues a Certificate of Acceptance. Keep it — insurers and buyers ask for it, especially after a panel upgrade or knob-and-tube removal.
Building permits can also apply
If the electrical work is part of a renovation that moves walls or adds a bedroom or basement suite, a municipal building permit is required in addition to the ESA notification.
Before you hire: a quick checklist
- Ask for the ECRA/ESA licence number and check it on the ESA website before hiring.
- Confirm general liability insurance and a valid WSIB clearance certificate before work starts.
- Get the scope, materials, timeline and total price in writing — not a number over the phone.
- Be cautious with large upfront deposits. In Ontario a deposit of roughly 10–30% is normal; full payment up front is not.
- Ask who is actually doing the work — the person quoting, an employee, or a subcontractor.
- Hold back final payment until the work passes any required inspection and you've seen it finished.
- Insist that the ESA notification is filed and get a copy of the Certificate of Acceptance at the end.
This is the same bar we use when we look at who to send your request to — read The IzDon Standard.
Electrical near you
Common problems — and who to call
Electrical guides & how-tos
Want to try it yourself first? Start here — and hand it over when the job gets bigger.
Electrical FAQs
How much does an electrician cost in Toronto?
Roughly $100–$180 per hour, or a flat rate per job, with a $120–$250 diagnostic or minimum call-out. Panel upgrades and EV chargers are almost always quoted as a fixed price.
Do I need an ESA permit for electrical work in Ontario?
Most electrical work beyond swapping a fixture on existing wiring requires an ESA notification. Your licensed electrical contractor files it and ESA inspects; you should receive a Certificate of Acceptance.
Can I install my own EV charger?
A homeowner can do work in their own single-family home if they take out a homeowner permit with ESA and pass inspection, but most people hire a licensed contractor because the load calculation, panel capacity and rebate paperwork all hinge on it being done correctly.
Do I need to upgrade to 200 amp service?
Usually only when the load calculation says so — typically when adding an EV charger, heat pump, electric range, hot tub or a basement suite to an existing 100 amp service. An electrician can run the calculation before you commit.
Is knob-and-tube wiring a problem?
It isn't automatically unsafe, but it has no ground, degrades with age and is frequently spliced badly. Many Ontario insurers will not write a policy until it's removed, so it usually gets remediated at sale or renewal time.
Why do my lights dim when the furnace starts?
A brief dip is normal on motor start-up. Persistent dimming, flickering across the whole house or dimming that worsens over time can indicate a loose neutral or an overloaded service — have it inspected.
One Request. IzDon.
Submit once instead of calling contractor after contractor. We aim to connect you with up to 3–5 relevant local service providers.
Get It Done