Doing electrical work is not a simple task and requires expertise in the matter. Even if you have basic knowledge about wiring and appliance installation, professional electricians know things that you might easily miss. That’s why hiring a qualified electrician in Oshawa is always a better and safer way to complete your electrical projects. As a homeowner in Oshawa, it’s your responsibility to hire a licensed electrical contractor (LEC). These contractors are master electricians who have years of experience, knowledge and all the legally required licenses to perform any type of electrical work.
This Oshawa electrical project cost guide is based on HomeStars homeowner reviews. We have compiled 44 verified reviews from Oshawa homeowners which include costs of various electrical projects. This cost guide will help you to calculate an estimate for your next appliance installation or wiring project.
Cost for Various Electrical Jobs in Oshawa
| Job | Average Cost* | Lowest Reported* | Highest Reported* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceiling Fan Installation | $433 | $200 | $450 |
| Appliance Installation and Wiring | $468 | $134 | $799 |
| Generator Installation | $11,374 | $1,750 | $16,373 |
| Light Fixture Installation | $453 | $135 | $1,770 |
| Knob and Tube Rewiring | $1,814 | $600 | $3,000 |
Costs as of October 2020*
Common Electrical Projects In Oshawa
Ceiling Fan Installation:
- When compared with air conditioning, ceiling fans consume less energy and save money on your utility bills. Be it installing a new ceiling fan or replacing an old one, an expert electrician in Oshawa can complete the installation for you.
- You must hire an electrician who knows how to install a ceiling fan box and brackets without damaging your ceiling and has the right tools to complete the job.
- Based on the type of ceiling fan, dimensions of the room, wiring conditions and the number of ceiling fans to be installed, it may take up to 4 to 5 hours to install multiple ceiling fans. The average ceiling fan installation cost in Oshawa is $433.
Appliance Installation and Wiring:
- After purchasing an expensive appliance, installing it following proper guidelines becomes a huge task. If you miss one connection, one screw or a single electrical panel, it can damage your appliance. An electrician who has expertise in installing different types of appliances can help you with this task.
- Appliance installation may require additional material like extra wires, special tools and some additional parts to fix or mount the appliance in the designated space. Only an electrician can assess these things and provide you with a flawless installation.
- For any type of wiring fixes or small wiring jobs, you will need to hire a journeyman electrician or a master electrician. They have the licenses which allow them to do residential wiring.
- Any type of appliance installation and wiring in Oshawa may cost you from $134 to $799 and it may take up to 5 hours.
Generator Installation:
- Having a backup generator in Oshawa can keep your appliances running in times of sudden power outages. Once you choose the type of generator you want to install, you can get a custom quote from an electrician to get it installed.
- There are four steps involved in generator installation: choosing a location, installing the generator, connecting the fuel and electrical lines and finally checking the outage simulation. Also, you will need to apply for a permit and go through the safety license inspection conducted by the ESA (Electrical Safety Authority).
- An experienced master electrician can help you with all these steps and even with the permit application process. The cost to get the generator installed can go up to $16,373 excluding the permit and labour costs.
Light Fixture Installation:
- Much like generator installation, to complete a light fixture installation you have to follow specific steps. Installing a light fixture might seem easy at first, but if not done with caution, it might damage your walls.
- As per the Ontario Electrical Safety Authority, if your light fixture installation requires major wiring changes, you will need to hire a licensed electrician.
- The electrician will visit your home and then create a plan to install the light fixtures based on the room dimensions, existing wiring positions and the number of light fixtures you want to install.
- The biggest reason to hire an electrician to do this job is that they know the wiring and how to secure and fix them. Attaching the wrong wires to the fixture can lead to electrocution or damaging the lights.
- An expert electrician may charge you an average of $453 to install the light fixtures.
Knob and Tube Rewire:
- Knob and tube wiring is considered a safety hazard as it has exposed metal conductors and the wiring isn’t grounded. If you live in a house that was built before the 1950s and haven’t changed the wiring since we recommend you get it done sooner than later.
- In Oshawa, only a licensed electrical contractor can complete a knob and tube rewiring project. Based on the size of your house and the number of workers needed, it may take up to 2 weeks to replace the old wiring with a contemporary wiring system. The electrical contractor will also help you to apply for the necessary permits and make sure that you receive the safety certification from the ESA upon completion.
- We would highly recommend that you choose the complete rewiring option instead of a partial replacement or a quick fix. This electrical project might be expensive but it will be a one time only job and will give you peace of mind when it comes to electrical safety.
- A team of master electricians may charge you up to $3,000 to get the knob and tube wiring replaced. This excludes the cost of permit applications, safety inspection, extra material and labour.
Factors Impacting Electrician Costs in Oshawa
Types of Electricians
Different types of electricians will provide you with different quotes for the same job based on their experience, expertise and licenses. You can choose the type of electrician you want to hire as per your budget and project requirements.
- You can hire an apprentice to complete any small electrical jobs. An apprentice is a student learning the electrical trade and usually assists a journeyman or a master electrician. Hiring an apprentice is perfect when you have a tight budget and a small task.
- A journeyman electrician is someone who has just completed their official electrician apprenticeship and has all the necessary certificates and licenses to complete the job. A journeyman is perfect to complete small appliance installations or light fixture installations. A journeyman usually works alone or is employed by an electrical contractor.
- If you are planning a big electrical project like a generator installation or wiring, we highly recommend that you hire a master electrician. A master electrician, also known as an electrical contractor, is the most qualified and experienced electrician. In addition to completing the project, they can also help you with permit applications and safety inspections. They may charge you the most compared to an apprentice or a journeyman, but they also get the job done quickly and safely with the highest level of knowledge.
Material and Labour Cost
- Completing electrical projects may require additional materials and assistance. You won’t know these details until you talk to your electrician. Based on the type of project and your timeline, the electricians will be able to plan the workflow to complete the project. This workflow will include all the details of extra materials and labour costs.
- Remember that the budget given by the electrician is an estimate and does not contain final costs. The costs may fluctuate by 10% to 15% based on other overhead charges.
- We recommend that you ask your electrician for the estimated cost before they start the job.
Emergencies and Off-Hour Services
- Electrical emergencies can occur at any time and endanger your life. They may result in heavy damages, electrocution and fire. It’s very important that you hire an expert, verified and trusted electrician in Oshawa to deal with an emergency.
- At HomeStars, you can quickly choose an electrician by browsing through the service provider list in your area, chat with them and hire an available expert without wasting time.
- When you hire an electrician in such situations, remember to tell them the emergency in detail and also ask for their emergency fees.
- Based on your type of emergency and the type of electrician you want to hire, the emergency fees can be double the usual amount. That’s why we suggest being clear about the fee structure before hiring them to avoid any surprises.
Tips to Hire an Electrician in Oshawa
Check the HomeStars Tools
- HomeStars provides you with 3 different tools to make a confident hiring decision when it comes to hiring a local professional. HomeStars will match you with 3 different pros in your area based on your requirements. You can also browse through the list of electricians in Oshawa to choose a pro yourself.
- Once you have chosen a pro, you can chat about the project details with them and ask for a custom quote before booking an appointment. You can compare those quotes with the costs given in this guide. You can also check the service provider’s Star Score, verification badge and homeowner reviews to make an informed decision.
Confirm the Callout Fees
- When you chat with the pro, make sure you ask them specifically for a callout fee. Electricians often visit your house before making the workflow to complete the project. They won’t necessarily start working on your project upon their first visit.
- Electricians charge for a callout fee based on their experience and licenses. This is a common industry practice which is why homeowners are not always made aware of it until they see the charge on the final invoice. To avoid any such surprises, we suggest you ask for the callout fee detail before you invite the electricians for a visit.
Ask for Insurance and Damage Cover
- Be it a small electrical job or a big one, a certain level of risk is always involved. Many licensed electricians offer insurance to their employees and damage cover for homeowners based on the type of electrical project.
- When you hire an electrician and discuss the workflow of your project with them, make sure you ask for insurance and damage cover.
Check for ESA License Number
- The Ontario Electrical Safety Authority or ESA issues license numbers to qualified electricians who want to perform bigger electrical jobs. The license numbers are given only after the candidates have completed the rigorous qualification process designed by the ESA.
- In Ontario, only ESA license number holders are allowed to work on any type of residential electrical projects. As a homeowner, it is in your legal duty to ask an electrician to provide their ESA license number before they start working on the project. If an electrician fails to provide a license number, we highly recommend that you do not hire them for your project.
- It is for the safety and security of your house and family that you hire only legal and licensed electricians.
Click here to get a quote and book an appointment with a licensed electrician in Oshawa.