Here’s a concise guide to residential electrical services in Toronto — what they do, legal/safety rules in Ontario, typical prices, how to hire safely, and next steps.

What residential electricians in Toronto commonly do

• Install, replace or repair wiring, outlets, switches, light fixtures, ceiling fans and panels (service upgrades).
• Install/add electrical circuits, subpanels and breakers.
• Install or repair smoke/CO alarms and whole-home surge protection.
• Install EV chargers, exterior/security lighting, pool/Hot Tub wiring and standby generators (may require permits/inspections).
• Troubleshoot flickering lights, tripped breakers, frequent nuisance trips, hot outlets, and other safety issues.

Key legal / safety points (Ontario)

• Only a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) may be hired to perform electrical work for pay in Ontario; they have an ECRA/ESA licence number and must arrange any required ESA notifications/inspections. (esasafe.com)
• Many projects (wiring changes, new circuits, service changes) require an ESA Notification of Work and an inspection; your LEC will normally file this and provide the ESA Certificate of Acceptance. (esasafe.com)
• Ask to see the contractor’s 7‑digit ECRA/ESA licence number and proof of insurance; confirm the number via ESA’s “Find a Contractor” tool. (esasafe.com)

Typical costs (ballpark)

• Small jobs (replace outlet, light fixture, switch): often one-off service call + labour — many consumer surveys show typical small jobs averaging a few hundred dollars.
• Hourly rates vary by experience: apprentices lower, journeypersons and master electricians higher. Industry data/example surveys show wide ranges (projects $125–$1,000+; overall typical projects around several hundred dollars). Use multiple quotes for larger projects. (Yelp.ca)
  (Note: exact pricing depends on scope, materials, whether a service upgrade or permit/inspection is required — prices in Toronto can be higher than smaller towns.)

How to hire an electrician in Toronto — practical checklist

1. Confirm they are a Licensed Electrical Contractor (ask for their ECRA/ESA licence number) and verify it on ESA. (esasafe.com)
2. Ask for proof of insurance (min. liability coverage) and written estimate (break out labour, parts, permit/inspection fees). (dev.esasafe.com)
3. Confirm who will file the ESA Notification of Work and that you’ll receive the ESA Certificate of Acceptance when work is complete. Don’t let an unlicensed person ask you to file in your name. (esasafe.com)
4. Get 2–3 quotes for larger jobs. Ask for timeline, permits required, and warranty on workmanship. (Yelp.ca)
5. Check local reviews (Google, HomeStars, BBB, Yelp) and ask for recent references for similar work.
6. Require a written invoice/receipt showing the contractor’s licence number and the ESA certificate number once inspection is complete.

Questions to ask when you call

• “What is your ECRA/ESA licence number?” (verify on ESA).
• “Will you file the Notification of Work with ESA and arrange the inspection?”
• “What’s included in the written estimate? Any permit or inspection fees?”
• “What warranty do you provide on parts and labour?”
• “Can you provide references for similar work done in Toronto?”

Where to find/verify contractors

• ESA “Find a Licensed Electrical Contractor” (verify licence and search by area). (esasafe.com)
• Local review sites (Google, HomeStars, Yelp) — read recent reviews and look for consistent, specific feedback.
• Referrals from neighbours, property managers or real estate agents (confirm the licence regardless).

If you’d like, I can:

• Search and list several licensed residential electricians/LECs servicing Toronto with licence numbers, contact info and recent ratings; or
• Draft an email/template you can send to contractors asking for quotes and the checklist items above.

Which of those would you prefer?