Some of the most common residential electrical projects in Calgary include rewiring of the house, appliance installation, generator installation and emergency electrical services. Completing these projects successfully requires professional help from licensed electricians. To install, alter, repair or maintain an electrical project in Alberta, a professional electrician must have certificates recognized by the Apprentice and Industry Training Act and Electrician Trade Resolution of Alberta. An apprentice in Alberta goes through 4 years of industry training, education and numerous workshops. This training makes sure that the electricians are capable of handling any types of residential electrical projects.
In the following cost guide, you will find the average, lowest and highest reported costs for the most common electrical projects in Calgary. These costs are based on 125 verified homeowner reviews from HomeStars which also includes costs to complete the particular jobs. When planning your next electrical project you can refer to these estimates or get in touch with a licensed electrician to get a custom quote.
Cost for Various Electrical Jobs in Calgary
| Job | Average Cost* | Lowest Reported* | Highest Reported* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceiling Fan Installation | $358 | $100 | $950 |
| Appliance Installation and Wiring | $1,946 | $120 | $9,500 |
| Generator Installation | $3,583 | $400 | $16,000 |
| Light Fixture Installation | $1,175 | $100 | $24,000 |
| Knob and Tube Rewiring | $5,255 | $175 | $14,000 |
Costs as of October 2020*
Common Electrical Projects in Calgary
Ceiling Fan Installation:
- Though Calgarians enjoy moderate summer temperatures, having a ceiling fan installed can be very helpful throughout the year. Ceiling fans help to control indoor humidity, help you save on electricity bills and can add visual appeal to your home. Whether you are installing a new ceiling fan or replacing an old one, an electrician in Calgary can provide you with safe and efficient service.
Based on the number of ceiling fans to be installed, it may take an electrician around 2 to 4 hours to complete the installation. An experienced and licensed electrician in Calgary will charge you up to $950 for ceiling fan installation.
Appliance Installation and Wiring:
- Appliance installation and wiring of a residential property is an expert’s job. The job must be done carefully, following all of the proper guidelines, to ensure there are no hazardous situations in the future.
- An electrician can safely install an appliance in your home and can also fix any pre-existing wiring problems. You might also need some additional parts to install the appliance and specialized tools to secure the connection, which can be arranged by a professional electrician.
- To complete any major or minor wiring work around the home you will need to hire a certified apprentice or journeyman electrician. Be it installing a new security system or rewiring the access to the electrical box, we recommend you hire only a licensed electrician.
Generator Installation:
- A residential generator becomes an asset to support your electrical needs should there be a power outage. A generator is ideal for houses located in a flood area. This way you will have a backup generator that will provide stable electricity in case of an emergency.
- Electricians in Calgary will not only help you install but also to repair and maintain residential standby generators. Installing a generator includes securing the fuel source, installing transfer switches and most importantly fixing it in a safe area as per its size. An electrician who has a license to install electrical systems in Calgary will charge you approximately $400 to $16,000 for generator installation. This does not include any extra material or labour costs.
Light Fixture Installation:
- Modern light fixtures are designed to be more energy-efficient and aesthetically pleasing. Whether you’re installing motion detectors or dimmer switches for indoor lighting, or solar lights for outdoors, an electrician in Calgary can help you with all types of light fixture installations.
- Hiring an electrician to install a light fixture is important as they can complete the job with minimum chances of damages. Imagine if you decide to fix an expensive chandelier by yourself and in the process, you drop it, can’t find extra wiring or are unable to access the junction box! These damages or problems can be easily solved by hiring an experienced electrician.
- Based on the number of light fixtures it may cost you $1,175 on average to complete the installation.
Knob and Tube Rewire:
- Knob and tube wiring can be found in Calgary houses built between the years of 1880 and 1940. As this is an old wiring system with improper modifications and no ground wiring, it is considered as dangerous and obsolete. If not changed to the contemporary wiring, it can result in fire and electrocution.
- As per the Alberta Electrician Trade Regulation, only a licensed electrician can be hired to do a knob and tube rewiring project. If not done with precision and caution, it can result in exceeding damages. You can hire an experienced electrician to replace the old knob and tube wiring who can complete the work in a maximum of two weeks. Based on the size of your house and considering the overhead costs you may have to pay up to $14,000 for this rewiring project.
Factors Impacting Electrician Costs in Calgary
Material and Labour Cost
- Overhead costs like extra materials and labour are associated with almost all types of electrical projects. These costs vary based on the type of project and your timeline.
- For any extra material or replacement parts, you can pay the electrician upfront or purchase the parts yourself. An electrician can assist you with purchasing the parts. You can compare prices with online and local stores before making a purchase.
- An electrician will need extra help for bigger projects like rewiring the house or installing a large generator. We recommend you talk to the electrician about these overhead costs before they start working on the project. Ask them for an estimate for these overhead costs so you can be prepared when you receive the final invoice.
Emergencies and Off-Hour Services
- Electricity is a powerful source of energy. It can be hazardous if not maintained properly. Some types of electrical emergencies should be attended without any delay to save your house from major damages.
- Exposed wires, sudden power outages, water touching electrical systems, and even sparks or smoke coming from electrical outlets are red flags that you should be concerned about. You can hire an electrician to fix these problems at any time of the day. When you get in touch with the electrician, make sure you ask them for their off-hour or emergency service charges.
- Electricians in Calgary may charge you double the usual amount for treating these emergency red flags. To avoid being surprised by your final invoice, be sure to ask the electrician about additional fees for emergency services.
Tips to Hire an Electrician in Calgary
Check the HomeStars Tools
- HomeStars offers you three different tools to make an informed and confident hiring decision to complete your next electrical project. You can fill out a service request form and HomeStars will connect you with three local electricians in your area. You can chat about the details of your project with these electricians, ask for a custom quote and hire the best pro for your project.
- Before hiring an electrician, you can use HomeStars tools such as Star Score, verification badge and homeowner reviews to check the credibility of the electrician.
- After the electrician has completed the project, you can also submit a review of their work on HomeStars to help other homeowners make better informed hiring decisions.
Check for Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Certificate
- To install, alter, repair and maintain electrical systems designed to provide heat, light, power, control, signal or fire alarms for all types of buildings, structures and premises in Calgary, an electrician must have two types of licenses or certifications. A qualified electrician should have a Calgary Business License and a certificate recognized by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act.
- Electricians who have this certification have completed four years of formal electrical training and education. They are considered to be industry-ready and specialize in modern electrical trends.
- For any type of residential electrical project, we highly recommend that you hire only a licensed electrician. It is wise considering the safety of your house and family.
To hire an electrician in Calgary for your next electrical project click here.