Quick Answer
Three things most Toronto homeowners don't know about ESA inspections:
- The inspector only looks at electrical work — not your plumbing, structure, or finishes.
- You control when the inspection is scheduled. It happens when the work is ready.
- The electrician does not have to be present. The inspector reviews the completed work.
Almost every electrical job in Ontario requires an ESA permit. Most homeowners understand that part. What they're less clear on is what actually happens during an inspection — who shows up, what they look at, and what they're allowed to ask about. Here's a straight answer from someone who pulls these permits regularly.
What Is the ESA?
The Electrical Safety Authority is Ontario's independent electrical safety regulator. They're not a city building department — they operate across all of Ontario under provincial authority. When electrical work is done in your home, the ESA ensures it meets the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
The ESA is separate from your municipal building department. An ESA permit is not the same as a building permit. Some larger projects — home additions, finished basements, new garages — may require both. They're filed separately and involve different inspectors.
What Does the ESA Inspector Actually Look At?
The ESA inspector reviews electrical work only. This is a common point of confusion — some homeowners expect a general home inspection and are surprised at how focused the review is.
On a typical residential job, the inspector is checking things like:
- Wiring methods and wire gauge. Correct wire type for the application, properly sized for the circuit amperage.
- Box fill calculations. Electrical boxes can only hold a certain number of wires and devices before they're considered overloaded.
- Grounding and bonding. The system is properly grounded and all metal components are bonded together.
- Breaker sizing and type. Breakers match the circuit wire gauge. AFCI or GFCI breakers are used where the code requires them.
- GFCI and AFCI protection. Required in kitchens, bathrooms, garages, unfinished basements, and outdoor locations.
- Panel condition and connections. On panel work — proper wire terminations, no double-tapping, correct breaker brands for the panel.
- EV charger circuits. Dedicated circuit, correct wire sizing, disconnect requirements where applicable.
- Overall code compliance. The installation meets the Ontario Electrical Safety Code as a whole.
What the ESA inspector does not check: your plumbing, your HVAC, your roof, your foundation, your structural work, or anything else in the house that isn't electrical. They're in and out quickly because they have a defined scope.
Who Schedules the Inspection — and When?
The inspection happens when you're ready for it. There's no set timeline imposed on you.
When a licensed electrical contractor files an ESA permit, the ESA is notified that work is planned. The inspection is then scheduled based on the job type:
- Simple jobs (a single circuit, EV charger, or outlet upgrade) typically require one final inspection after the work is complete.
- Larger jobs (panel upgrades, full rewires, basement renovations) may require inspections at multiple stages — before walls are closed, before circuits are energized, and a final review.
Your contractor usually coordinates the inspection request. You can also contact ESA directly at 1-877-ESA-SAFE (372-7233) to request a specific inspection time.
Does the Electrician Have to Be at the Inspection?
No. This surprises a lot of homeowners. The ESA inspector is reviewing the completed work — not quizzing the electrician. As long as the work is accessible and the permit is on file, the inspection can proceed without the contractor present.
In practice, we're sometimes on-site because we're already doing other work in the area or because the homeowner prefers it. But there's no requirement for us to be there. The inspector has everything they need from the permit filing and the installed work itself.
If the inspector has a specific question about something — a non-standard installation method, a material choice — they may request that the contractor be available by phone or in person. But for routine residential work, this is uncommon.
What Happens if the Inspection Finds an Issue?
If the inspector finds something that doesn't meet code, they'll flag it for correction. You or the contractor addresses the deficiency and requests a re-inspection. This isn't common when work is done by a licensed contractor who knows the code — but it happens occasionally if there's an unusual site condition or a missed requirement.
If the work passes, the ESA closes out the permit. On final completion, ESA can issue a Certificate of Acceptance — a document confirming the work was inspected and meets the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
Why the Certificate of Acceptance Matters
The Certificate of Acceptance is worth keeping. Here's why it matters beyond the inspection day:
- Home resale. Buyers' lawyers and home inspectors look for documentation on electrical work. Missing ESA records for past work can become a negotiating point or require remediation before closing.
- Insurance. If there's ever an electrical fire, your insurer will investigate whether the work was permitted. Unpermitted work can result in a denied claim.
- Permanent record. ESA keeps a record of all notifications. If you can't find your certificate, ESA can verify the permit was pulled and the work passed inspection.
- Peace of mind. An independent inspector confirmed the work is safe. That matters for high-amperage installations like EV chargers and panel upgrades.
Do Small Electrical Jobs Need a Permit?
Often yes. ESA's guidance says even small electrical jobs require a notification before work starts. The threshold for "permit required" is lower than most homeowners expect. Adding a circuit, replacing a panel, installing a bathroom fan with new wiring, adding outdoor receptacles — all of these require a permit.
Simple replacements — swapping an outlet or switch for an identical one — typically don't require a permit. But if you're adding, extending, or modifying a circuit, assume you need one.
As a licensed contractor, we file the permit before work starts on every job that requires one. We don't offer "no-permit" work because we've seen what happens when homeowners find out later that the work wasn't done properly.
Portman Electric
Every job we do is ESA-permitted. We handle all the paperwork.
We file the permit, coordinate the inspection, and give you the documentation when the work is accepted. You don't have to deal with ESA directly.
Common Questions About ESA Inspections
Do I need an ESA inspection for electrical work in Ontario?
Yes. Almost all electrical work in Ontario requires an ESA permit (called a Notification of Work) to be filed before work starts. An inspection follows to confirm the work meets the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
Who files the ESA permit — the homeowner or the electrician?
The person doing the work files it. If you hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor, the contractor files the permit. If a homeowner does their own DIY electrical work, they file it themselves. ESA specifically says not to file a notification on behalf of someone else.
Is an ESA permit the same as a building permit?
No. An ESA electrical permit is separate from a municipal building permit. Some jobs require both — for example, a home addition may need a building permit from the city and an ESA permit for the electrical work.
How much does an ESA permit cost?
ESA's minimum residential notification fee is $88. The actual fee depends on the scope of the work — larger jobs with more circuits or panel work cost more.
Does the electrician need to be present for the ESA inspection?
No. The ESA inspector reviews the completed electrical work — not the electrician. As long as the work is accessible and the permit is on file, the inspector can complete the review without the contractor present, unless they have a specific question that requires the electrician to attend.
When does the ESA inspection happen?
You or your contractor schedules the inspection when the work is ready. Simple jobs may need only a final inspection after the work is complete. Larger jobs — like a full panel upgrade or a basement renovation — may require inspections at multiple stages before walls are closed or circuits are energized.
What does the ESA inspector check?
The inspector reviews only the electrical work — wiring methods, box fill, grounding and bonding, breaker sizing, GFCI and AFCI protection, panel work, and whether the installation meets the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. They do not inspect plumbing, structure, HVAC, or anything else.
Do I get a certificate after the ESA inspection?
Once the work is reviewed and accepted, ESA issues a Certificate of Acceptance. This creates a permanent record of the work and is important for home resale, insurance documentation, and proof the work was done to code.
Can I sell my house without an ESA certificate?
You can sell, but missing ESA documentation for electrical work can come up during buyer due diligence, home inspections, or insurance underwriting. A clean ESA record gives buyers confidence and removes a potential negotiating point.
Do EV charger installations need an ESA inspection?
Yes. A new EV charger circuit or NEMA 14-50 outlet installation requires an ESA permit and inspection because it involves new dedicated high-amperage electrical work.
How do I book an ESA inspection?
Your contractor typically requests the inspection when they file the permit. You can also contact ESA directly by calling 1-877-ESA-SAFE (372-7233) or submitting a Request for Inspection form through the ESA website.