Ontario Electrical Inspection and Permits

Hello,

I was wondering if there's anyone on this forum that lives in Canada is a non-professional Electrician who has called the ESA to have an inspector check out their work? If so, what kind of advice and info can you offer?

Here's my dilemma, I've converted the basement of a new house into liveable space for myself (bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen, etc. When I started, everyone I talked to (friends, family, people who have been doing electrical work on houses for years) told me NOT to get an Electrical permit for my work as long as I'm comfortable in doing it myself. Which I was and it's all finished and working now. The problem is, that I've been getting kinda paranoid about it and would like to get someone to look it all over and say Yes, this will not burn your house down in the next couple months! I've followed the Ontario Electrical Safety Code book to a T and like I said, everything's been working fine to this point. One of the main reasons I was told not to get a permit, is that I've heard the ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) can be really strict and once they find out I am not a professional contractor or have no prior experience in doing all this, that they might just deny me without even looking at it (or worse, tell me I have to rip it all out and get a qualified electrician to redo it). I would like to know if anyone know's if these rumours are true! Also I guess the bigger question is that is it possible to even get an inspection AFTEr I've done all the work?

Thanks, I would appreciate any info on this! Stress is a terrible thing!

 

Not true in my limited experience. Usually very friendly and will just come back and check that you fixed your mistakes. Can't remember if you need to pay for a second inspection.

ESA Ontario

 

For the most part; anytime I had work inspected, most of the inspection consisted of asking questions on how I did the work.
They do not check every connection you made and usually the inspection takes about 5 minutes. They may raise an eyebrow that you covered the wiring so they can't see how you secured the cable etc. but they are not three-headed brutes out to skin you alive.
Just be truthful and a little apologetic for not having them in for a rough-in inspection and everything should be OK.
I'm in the same position as you in that I am not a licensed electrician although I was an Operator with Ont. Hydro for 35 years. In Ontario, you are allowed to do the electrical work in your own home but not in other people's homes. When I do rec. rooms etc. in other people's houses they apply for the permit and I brief them on what the inspectors are looking for and what to tell them and we've never failed an inspection yet.
Have a good day and let us know how you made out.

 

Thanks very much Lew! I appreciate all your input and you won't believe how much I needed to hear that. I will keep you posted with my outcome! Thanks again!

 

One other question...do I need a building permit first to get an electrical permit (If it's a single family only living in the entire house)?

 

Good evening. No you do not need a building permit for the electrical inspection. They won't even ask if you have or intend to get one.