What Property Managers Should Ask a Commercial Electrician

This Guide is a practical checklist for property managers. Electro Group Ltd. serves Toronto and the GTA. For planned commercial work, request a free quote.

1. "Are you an ESA Licensed Electrical Contractor?"

In Ontario, electrical contractors must be licensed by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA). Don't rely on a logo or a line on a quote. Ask for the company's legal name and licence number, then look it up yourself with ESA's public Licensed Electrical Contractor search.

Our Guide How to Verify a Licensed Electrician in Ontario walks through the lookup step by step.

What to verify: the licence number, that the business name matches the company on your quote and invoice, and that the licence is active.

Electro Group Ltd. holds ESA Licence #7017939.

2. "Who takes out the ESA permit?"

Most electrical work in Ontario needs an ESA permit (Notification of Work). Ask who files it, in whose name, and how you will know it was closed out.

What to verify: the permit is in the licensed contractor's name, not the property owner's or a third party's. For more on why this matters, see Fake Rebates and Borrowed Permits: Red Flags When Hiring an Electrician in Ontario.

At Electro Group, we take out the ESA permit and arrange the inspection for the work we do.

3. "What exactly is in the scope?"

A clear written scope protects you, your owners and your tenants. Ask the electrician to spell out:

• Which areas, units or equipment are included.
• What is excluded, such as patching, painting, or work by other trades.
• How changes will be handled and approved before extra work starts.
• Who supplies fixtures, equipment and materials.

What to verify: the scope on the quote matches what you asked for, line by line.

4. "How will you handle scheduling and access?"

Occupied buildings come with tenants, shared spaces and business hours. Ask:

• Whether work can be planned around tenant operations, and how shutdowns will be scheduled and communicated.
• What access is needed: electrical rooms, ceiling spaces, roofs, suites, parking.
• Who on your side needs to be present, and who holds keys or fobs.
• How the site will be left at the end of each workday.

What to verify: a planned schedule in writing before tenant notices go out. Ask for any power shutdown to be confirmed in advance.

5. "What documentation will I get?"

Good records make the next job easier and help with owners, boards and insurers. Ask what you will receive at the end, for example:

• Permit and inspection records from ESA.
• An updated panel directory if circuits were added or changed.
• An itemized invoice matching the approved scope and any approved changes.
• Notes on equipment installed, with manufacturer information where applicable.

What to verify: that panel labels match what was actually done before you sign off.

6. "Can you provide proof of insurance and WSIB clearance?"

Many property management companies require these before a contractor goes on site. Ask for a current certificate of insurance and, where applicable, a WSIB clearance certificate, and check them against your own requirements.

Electro Group Ltd. carries liability insurance and has WSIB clearance. Certificates are available on request.

What to verify: names and dates on the certificates match the contractor you are hiring. WSIB clearance can be checked through WSIB Ontario.

7. "Who is my point of contact?"

Ask who you'll talk to during the job, how updates will be shared, and how questions from tenants or site staff should be routed.

What to verify: one named contact, a phone number and an email, before work starts.

Urgent Commercial Situations

Things don't always wait for a planned schedule. We help with urgent commercial situations, such as warehouse lights out or equipment not working. For urgent work, call first at 289-814-7241. See Urgent Electrical Problems We Handle Across Toronto and the GTA.

Next Steps

Planning commercial electrical work in Toronto or the GTA?

• Request a free quote for planned work
• See our commercial and new construction page
• Call 289-814-7241

Tell us the property address, building type, what you need done, and any access or scheduling limits. We'll review the scope, take out the ESA permit and keep you informed.

Electro Group Ltd. · Toronto and the GTA · 289-814-7241 · ESA Licence #7017939

FAQ

How do I check if a commercial electrician is licensed in Ontario?
Search the contractor's name or licence number in ESA's public Licensed Electrical Contractor lookup. See how to verify a licensed electrician in Ontario.

Who should take out the ESA permit for commercial work?
The licensed electrical contractor doing the work. We take out the ESA permit and arrange the inspection for our work.

What should a commercial electrical quote include?
A written scope with what's included and excluded, who supplies materials, and how changes are approved.

Can electrical work be scheduled around tenants?
Ask your electrician before work starts. Get the schedule and any power shutdowns confirmed in writing so you can notify tenants.

Do you offer free quotes for commercial work?
Yes, for planned work. Request a free quote. Free quotes don't apply to urgent work; for urgent commercial situations, call first at 289-814-7241.