At Trigon Electrical Inc., we know that hiring an unlicensed electrical contractor can lead to electrical hazards of your home and significant risks to you and your loved ones. Spotting an unlicensed electrical contractor can be viewed as a difficult task due to their masterful camouflaging skills into licensed electrical contractors. However, with a little insight, it will enable you to identify these masked contractors and avoid being a victim of these anonymous electrical companies.

As expert and licensed electrical contractors, we’ve created a handy checklist to help you deal with such individuals with as little stress as possible. Follow our checklist of spotting an unlicensed electrical contractor accurately so that you can get back to the other important things in life.

1. Invalid bill
Working with an unlicensed or fly-by-night electrical contractors means trapping yourself with fraudulent electrical work. It’s easy to identify such electrical contractors as they first arrive with no ECRA or ESA license number on their work vehicle. Secondly, they have documentation such as an estimate which omits an ECRA or ESA license number or any mention of ESA fees. Also, they hesitate to provide you with their ECRA or ESA license number when asked.

2. They don’t follow ESA (Electrical Safety Authority) standards
As you communicate with them, they may insist that ESA involvement is not necessary. They may say that you do not require any notification and may ask you (the homeowner) to take out the notification with the Electrical Safety Authority.

3. Insufficient references
While researching these individuals, you cannot find any reference to the company name on the ESA website under ESA’s find a licensed electrical contractor near you.

4. Insist homeowners purchase supplies
When it comes to purchasing materials, they’ll be reluctant to invest in the project and request that you buy or provide all supplies.

5. Jack-of-all trades
They often provide multiple services beyond electrical. For instance, they may offer plumbing, drywall, flooring, and other maintenance and renovation services.

6. Unsafe suggestions
They suggest you do not need to contact your local hydro (electric utility) when changing your electrical panel or to upgrade your electrical service.

7. Limited paper trail
They are difficult to reach. There may be no mailing address, and the only way to contact them is through a general email, and they respond to any inquiry by phone.

8. Disguised service
They show up in a labeled work van but operate under a different name!

9. No receipt, only cash payments
They accept only cash, actively encourage cash-only work, and refuse to provide a receipt for completed work. Which leaves you, the homeowner, with no protection or warranty or proof of transaction.

10. Avoids involvement
They suggest that if anyone inquires, you tell them you did the work yourself (DIY) to avoid any liability or responsibilities of the project.

If you have any concerns about while looking for a reliable electrical contractor, reach out to Trigon Electrical Inc. serving in Brampton, ON. We are a licensed and insured electrical contractor that you can trust with your home’s electrical requirements. We are a team of experienced electrical contractors that continually undergoes training so that you receive the latest and advance electrical service for your home.

We offer residential electrical services, industrial, commercial, institutional (ICI) electrical services to clients across Haliburton, and Gravenhurst, Ontario.

To learn more about our services, please click here. Have a question? We’d love to hear from you. Contact us here.