There are certain projects you never want to attempt to do yourself. When it comes to electrical work, you always want to hire a well-trained pro. In fact, it is your legal responsibility as a homeowner in Barrie to only hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC). Failing to do so can put your home and your family at risk. Electricity is powerful and dangerous, which is why you want someone who knows what they’re doing. Read on to learn more about the proper training and licensing required so that you know how to safely hire an electrician in Barrie.
Proper Training and Licensing
Electricity can be unpredictable to work with. One wrong move can cause drastic damage to your home or even put your life at risk. For even small projects like adding a dimmer switch, there is risk involved. This is why the government of Ontario requires homeowners to only hire licensed electricians to work on their homes. To become properly licensed, an electrician must go through four to five years of schooling, on the job training and pass various exams. Only then can they apply for their license from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). Once this licence is obtained an electrician is legally allowed to work on residential electrical projects in Ontario.
Types of Electricians
You may be surprised to learn that there are different types of electricians for hire. Each type comes with their own level of experience, knowledge and skills. Depending on the type of electrician you hire, your final cost will be different. In general, the more experienced an electrician is the more they will charge for your project.
Apprentice
An electrical apprentice is actively in school, learning all about the trade. They will be in school for four to five years while also gaining some on the job experience. Typically an apprentice is overseen by a more experienced electrician, which means they can legally do small electrical projects. If you have a small project, hiring an apprentice to do it for you can be more cost-effective. Just be sure that the electrician who will supervise them is licensed by the ESA.
Journeyperson
After successfully completing their apprenticeship and the required exams, the next title they will receive is journeyperson. A journeyperson should be licensed by the ESA and able to do larger and more complex electrical projects. They may choose to work for themselves or to be employed by a company. A journeyperson is more expensive than an apprenticeship but less expensive than a master electrician to hire.
Master
The most knowledgeable and experienced electrician you can hire is a master. A master electrician can handle any size electrical project and ensure it is done right the first time. For example, if you need to replace the old knob and tube wiring in your home, you should hire a master electrician. While their fees will be higher as compared to a journeyperson, you want to entrust a complicated project like this with a master. They will typically have journeypersons and apprentices working under them.
Tips for Hiring an Electrician
Now that you understand why it’s necessary to hire a licensed electrician, the next step is to learn how to hire safely. Your biggest takeaway from this article is that you are the one responsible to ask about licensing. If a company is not willing to provide you with their license, this is a red flag to not hire this company. A company with a valid ESA license will prominently display it on their website and invoices and will have no issue providing you with it. You can double-check that their license is valid on the ESA website. Remember, failing to ask about proper licensing can put you and your home at risk. Be sure to ask for proof of proper licensing from any company you are considering to hire.
HomeStars provides homeowners with tools to help them hire safely, no matter the project. Whether you’re browsing through a list of electricians in Barrie, or you’re deciding between the companies HomeStars has matched you with, it’s important to look into them. Look for a Verified Badge on an electrician’s profile. This badge means the company has passed our rigorous background checks and has confirmed they have the proper licensing. You also want to look at the company’s Star Score and past customer reviews. Both of these tools will tell you more about the company and the quality of work they provide to their customers. By looking at a company’s reviews, Star Score, and ensuring they have a Verified badge, you can feel confident in your hiring decision.
Now that you understand the importance of only hiring licensed electrical contractors, it’s important to put it into practice. When you’re ready to get started on your next electrical project, be sure to ask each and every electrician you speak with to provide proof of licensing. Failing to do so is not only irresponsible but it is against the law. Remember that as a homeowner in Barrie, it is your job to safely hire a licensed electrician. Use these tips to help you do just that.
