Los Angeles Electricians Suggest Ontario Homeowners Hire Licensed Contractors

Last Updated: Thursday, September 24, 2009 | 3:25 PM ET Comments41Recommend13
CBC News

Almost half of all homeowners in Ontario permit unlicensed contractors to do electrical wiring in their homes, a survey suggests.

A survey conducted by Leger Marketing found that:

* 45 per cent of those surveyed do not check whether the contractors who do electrical work for them are licensed.
* 70 per cent report that they would allow a neighbour, friend or handyman to install new light fixtures in their homes.
* 47 per cent would allow them to repair an electrical outlet.
* 43 per cent would let them wire an outdoor light timer.

On Jan. 1, 2007, provincial legislation came into effect requiring all electrical work to be performed by licensed electrical contractors.

Lucy Impera, registrar for licensing and certification of the Electrical Safety Authority, which oversees licensing laws in the province, says awareness of the new legislation — and the dangers of not abiding by it — is low.
Serious hazards

"We know there's an awful lot of work being done by unlicensed contractors," she told CBC News on Thursday. "In some instances, consumers don't understand the seriousness of electrical hazards."

Instead, many hire family members or unlicensed contractors to save money. But it's against the law, says Impera. "We will lay charges against an unlicensed person."

Failing to hire a licensed professional can lead to electrical accidents, such as fire and electrocution, says Impera. "Even though it's working today," she says of an electrical installation, "doesn't mean hazards aren't lurking behind the walls that could lead to fire or electrocution."

According to the Office of the Fire Marshal, in the past decade, 108 Ontarians have died by electrocution. There have been 33,739 electrical fires, a figure Impera says has stayed constant, year after year.

To reduce electrical risks in the home, Impera says consumers should hire a licensed contractor who's listed with www.pluginsafely.ca, a site maintained by the Electrical Safety Authority, a stand-alone not-for-profit corporation under the auspices of the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services.

She also suggests checking contractors' references, getting quotes and having a detailed electrical wish list of all the electrical projects that need work. And once the projects are completed, she recommends having an inspector coming to check out the quality of work.

The survey was conducted using Leger Marketing's web panel between July 20 and 23. A totla of 1,042 online surveys were completed by adults living in Ontario.

The margin of error is deemed to be three percentage points, plus or minus, 19 times out of 20.