Electrical repairs in Burnaby: Hiring and Permit Guide

Choose a contractor who can handle the proposed work

Ask for the business name and electrical contractor licence number before comparing offers. Technical Safety BC’s registry identifies the licence type, authorized work scope and enforcement actions since 2022. Its public registry shows active licences. If a name search fails, request the licence number and search again before committing. [3]

Read any enforcement entry in context. Technical Safety BC says an enforcement action may or may not relate to unsafe behaviour. Ask the contractor to explain an entry that concerns you rather than treating the presence of an entry as a complete assessment of their work. [3]

Describe the symptom instead of prescribing the repair: which outlets or lights lose power, what you were using, and whether the problem affects one room or the whole home. Ask the contractor how they will diagnose it and obtain your approval before expanding the work. Request proof of insurance and a written description of the proposed scope.

Confirm permits and condo consent before scheduling

Direct permit questions to the City’s Building Division. Burnaby handles electrical permits and assessments within its municipal jurisdiction, while Technical Safety BC oversees licensing and certification. The City lists a residential electrical permit route for licensed contractors working in new or existing single-family homes, duplexes, row housing, cottage courts and multiplexes. [1] [2]

For an apartment or condo, ask the contractor which application applies. The City’s multi-family, commercial and industrial electrical permit listing requires the Electrical Consent to Construction form for Strata Buildings for all stand-alone electrical applications. Ask your strata manager who must complete the consent and arrange any access to shared electrical rooms. [1]

The City’s permit listings do not explain whether your particular repair needs a permit. Ask your contractor to confirm your exact scope with the City before work begins. Include responsibility for any permit application and inspection in the quote. [1]

Compare diagnosis and repair costs separately

Ask what the initial visit includes: travel, a minimum charge, diagnostic time and a written finding. Then ask how the contractor prices additional time and replacement parts. Set an amount they must seek your approval to exceed. For an intermittent problem, agree on what happens if they cannot reproduce the fault during the visit.

Compare offers against the same scope. Ask each contractor to identify parts, labour, permit handling, inspection attendance, taxes and any wall repairs they include. Also ask about return visits and the warranty on their work. Keep the diagnosis and your approved repair scope with the final invoice.

For service-connection work, request a separate utility cost estimate. BC Hydro publishes minimum charges for connections, upgrades and alterations involving new wire or cable. Those charges cover the wire or cable between existing BC Hydro infrastructure and your meter base, and exclude meter installation. BC Hydro may add extension fees when suitable secondary service is unavailable. [4]

BC Hydro says eligible customers may receive its maximum contribution to offset service connection costs when wire or cable charges apply. Confirm eligibility and the contribution amount with BC Hydro before treating a published minimum as the amount you will pay or setting a utility allowance in your repair budget. [4]

Check whether you need an electrician or outage support

For a loss of power, check BC Hydro’s outage information before arranging a repair visit. BC Hydro tells customers to report an outage that does not appear in its listings at 1 800 224 9376 or *49376 on a mobile phone. [5]

If BC Hydro removes the outage from its listing but your home remains without power, its guidance says to check the circuit breaker or fuse box. If you find no tripped breakers or other issues at your end, call the utility to report that power has not returned. Leave electrical disassembly to the contractor. [5]

For a downed power line, stay at least 10 metres away and report it to 911. BC Hydro treats a downed wire as live and dangerous. Do not approach it to take a photograph for a repair quote. [5]

BC Hydro connection minimums: single-phase service up to 200 amps

Choose the next step for your repair

Your hiring checklist

1. Write down the affected rooms, devices and circumstances without opening electrical equipment.
2. Get the contractor’s business name and licence number, then check the registry scope.
3. Agree on the diagnostic charge and an approval limit for additional work.
4. Ask who will confirm permit requirements, submit the application and arrange inspections.
5. For condo work, discuss strata consent and shared electrical-room access before scheduling.
6. Separate electrician charges from utility costs, and ask BC Hydro to confirm any contribution eligibility.
7. Keep the approved scope, invoice and any permit or inspection records together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Technical Safety BC issue my electrical permit?

Burnaby issues its own electrical permits and performs electrical assessments. Technical Safety BC continues to oversee contractor licensing and certification of qualified individuals. Start permit questions with the City Building Division. [1] [2]

Does every minor electrical repair require a permit?

The City’s permit listings do not explain whether your particular repair needs a permit. Ask your contractor to confirm the requirement for your specific scope with the City before work begins, and record who will handle any application and inspection. [1]

Can I use the chart to budget for a panel repair?

Use the chart for the specified BC Hydro connection work. Its figures exclude meter installation and do not price the electrician’s panel work. Eligible customers may receive a contribution toward connection costs when wire or cable charges apply. Confirm eligibility with BC Hydro and request separate electrician and utility estimates. [4]

How do I check a contractor’s licence?

Use Technical Safety BC’s contractor search with the company name or licence number. Remove spaces and dashes from the number. Review the authorized scope and any enforcement entries. The public registry displays active licences. [3]