If you're having electrical work done in Ontario, you'll be dealing with the ESA — the Electrical Safety Authority. I'm Sam from City Power Electrical Services (ECRA/ESA #7015314), and I've gone through hundreds of ESA inspections over the years. Here's what you need to know so there are no surprises.
What is the ESA? The Electrical Safety Authority is an Ontario government-delegated regulatory authority responsible for administering and enforcing electrical safety legislation. They license electrical contractors, approve products for the Ontario market, and inspect electrical installations. If you're having electrical work done in your home, the ESA is the organization that ensures the work is safe and code-compliant.
When is an ESA inspection required? An ESA inspection (technically, an inspection following a "notification") is required for virtually all electrical work in Ontario. This includes panel upgrades, new circuit installations, rewiring, EV charger installations, generator hookups, pool and hot tub wiring, pot light installations, and essentially any modification to the permanent electrical system. The only things that don't require an ESA notification are basic maintenance tasks like replacing a light bulb, a faceplate, or a plug-in appliance.
How the process works. Your Licensed Electrical Contractor files a notification with the ESA before starting the work (or within 48 hours of starting). The notification includes details about the work being done, the contractor's licence number, and the property address. After the work is completed, the ESA assigns an inspector to visit the property. The inspection typically happens within 3 to 7 business days of the notification being filed. You (the homeowner) or someone over 16 years of age must be present at the property during the inspection to provide access.
What the inspector looks for depends on the scope of work. For a panel upgrade, the inspector will check that the panel is properly installed, the bus bar connections are tight and correct, the grounding and bonding are complete, the wiring is properly terminated, breaker ratings match wire sizes, the panel is labelled, and that proper working clearances are maintained. For new circuits, they'll check wire gauge, routing, protection (in studs, through joists), box fill calculations, device installation, GFCI protection where required, AFCI protection where required, and proper connections.
The inspector will only inspect the work covered by the notification. They're not doing a full home inspection — they're specifically verifying the work that was filed on the notification. If you had a panel upgrade done, they won't be checking the outlets in your bedrooms (unless those outlets were part of the notified work).
How to prepare for the inspection. The most important thing you can do is ensure access. The inspector needs to see all the work, which means access to the panel, access to junction boxes, and access to any newly installed devices. If you're mid-renovation and the work is behind drywall, the inspection must happen before the drywall goes up. Once the wiring is covered, the inspector can't verify it meets code.
Leave the panel cover off or easily removable so the inspector can see inside. If there are access panels to junction boxes in the attic or ceiling, make sure they're reachable. Clear any obstructions around the panel area. Have the notification confirmation number available (your electrician should provide this).
What happens during the inspection. The inspector arrives within the scheduled window (usually a 4-hour window — morning or afternoon). They'll introduce themselves, show identification, and ask to see the work. A typical inspection takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on the scope. They may use test equipment to verify circuit continuity, grounding, and GFCI function. They'll document their findings.
What happens if you pass. You receive a Certificate of Inspection, either physically or electronically through the ESA's online portal. This certificate is an important document — keep it with your home records. It proves the work was done by a licensed contractor and met code at the time of inspection. You'll need it for insurance purposes and if you ever sell the home.
What happens if you fail. If the inspector finds deficiencies, they'll issue a deficiency notice listing the specific issues that need to be corrected. Common deficiencies include missing box covers, improper bonding, wrong wire gauge, missing GFCI or AFCI protection, and inadequate labelling. Your electrician has a defined period (usually 30 days) to correct the deficiencies, and then a re-inspection is scheduled. Minor deficiencies might be correctable during the inspection visit itself.
Failing an ESA inspection doesn't mean the work is terrible — sometimes it's a minor issue like a missing label or a box cover left off. However, serious deficiencies (like improper grounding or wrong wire sizing) are genuine safety issues that must be corrected.
Cost of the ESA notification. The ESA notification fee varies based on the scope of work. For a simple single-circuit installation, the fee is approximately $100 to $150. For a panel upgrade, it's around $150 to $250. For a full house rewire, it can be $250 to $500. Your electrician typically includes this fee in their quote. You can verify the exact fees on the ESA's website (esasafe.com).
Can I file my own notification? Homeowners can file a homeowner's notification if they're doing the work themselves on their own home. However, I strongly advise against doing your own electrical work for anything beyond the basics. The code is complex, the safety risks are real, and the work still needs to pass the same inspection that a licensed contractor's work would.
How to verify your electrician's licence. You can verify any electrical contractor's licence on the ESA's online contractor validation tool at esasafe.com. Enter the contractor's name or ECRA/ESA licence number and confirm it's active and in good standing. If a contractor can't provide a licence number or tells you a permit isn't needed, that's a major red flag.
For any electrical work in your GTA home — with full ESA permits and inspections handled for you — call City Power Electrical Services at 416-877-3048. We file the notification, coordinate the inspection, and make sure everything passes the first time.