Electrical Repairs in Windsor, ON: Hiring and Planning

Choose the contractor before setting the repair date

Ask for the business name and ECRA/ESA licence number before accepting an offer. ESA says Licensed Electrical Contractors are the businesses authorized, with certain exemptions, to perform electrical work in Ontario homes and facilities. These contractors carry liability insurance and Workplace Safety and Insurance Board coverage and understand their ESA notification responsibilities. [4]

Use the contractor lookup available through ESA’s hiring guidance, or call ESA at 1-877-372-7233 and choose option 3 for Contractor Licensing. A friend’s recommendation can help you build a shortlist, but check the licence status yourself. If you hire a general contractor, ask which Licensed Electrical Contractor will perform the electrical work. [4]

Describe the fault before requesting a quote: which outlet, switch or circuit you use, what happened before the problem, and whether other rooms lost power. Ask the contractor to separate the diagnostic visit from the proposed repair. Agree on how they will obtain your approval if they discover additional work.

Compare the full scope of the quote

Request a written breakdown for diagnosis, labour, replacement parts, taxes and any return visit. Ask whether the contractor has quoted a completed repair or an initial investigation. For an intermittent fault, explain when it happens rather than choosing a replacement part yourself.

For work involving the panel, main switch, meter base or service attachment, ask who will contact ENWIN and coordinate inspection and reconnection. ENWIN lists these types of maintenance among work that may require a cut/reconnect. It also says modifications to electrical infrastructure require ESA inspection before reconnection. [1]

Ask each contractor to identify exclusions, including wall repairs and any work another trade must complete. Compare offers using the same repair description. Keep a copy of the agreed scope and ask the contractor to explain the completed repair before you settle the invoice.

Budget for utility coordination

ENWIN’s residential rates page lists a meter reconnection charge of CAD 65 and an after-hours meter reconnection charge of CAD 185, plus applicable taxes. These are utility charges. Use them when discussing reconnection arrangements; they do not establish an electrician’s labour charge or the total price of a repair. [3]

ENWIN’s maintenance policy also offers one free regular-time cut/reconnect per service address per year. It excludes generator connections and requests outside regular time. Ask ENWIN which policy applies to your job before adding a reconnection fee to your budget, and ask whether a standby crew will incur additional charges. [1]

Request a job-specific repair estimate after the contractor reviews your symptoms and access requirements. Arrange your household schedule around the proposed power-off window, and ask who will tell you if inspection or reconnection timing changes.

Arrange storm and flood repairs in the right order

ENWIN says customers are responsible for electrical equipment attached to their homes, including stacks, pipes and the wires inside them. The utility is responsible for the meter and the wires that run from the stack to the power lines. If you suspect damage to equipment attached to your house, contact a Licensed Electrical Contractor; after repairs and certification, contact ENWIN for reconnection. [2]

Avoid areas with possible downed lines, including puddles and fences that may touch a wire. If floodwater rises above basement outlets or approaches the panel, ENWIN instructs you to stay out of the basement and call it for power disconnection. Its contact number is 519-255-2727. [2]

Have an electrician inspect electrical equipment that contacted water and replace damaged items. ENWIN warns against using wet appliances until an electrician has checked them. Describe the water exposure when booking the visit; do not treat restored utility power as confirmation that your household equipment is safe. [2]

ENWIN published meter-reconnection charges

Choose the next step for your repair

Your hiring checklist

1. Record the affected rooms, devices and circumstances without opening electrical equipment.
2. Ask for the contractor’s business name and ECRA/ESA licence number; verify them through ESA.
3. Request separate amounts for diagnosis, repair work, parts, taxes and return visits.
4. Ask who will arrange any required ESA notification, inspection and utility coordination.
5. For planned ENWIN disconnection, agree on the power-off window before confirming the repair date.
6. Confirm the applicable utility charge or maintenance allowance with ENWIN.
7. Ask how the contractor will seek approval for additional work.
8. Keep the written scope, invoice and any inspection documentation supplied for the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my general contractor arrange the electrical repair?

Yes, but ESA says the electrical subcontractor must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor. Ask for that business’s name and ECRA/ESA licence number and verify its status before work begins. [4]

How far ahead should I arrange a planned power disconnection?

ENWIN requires cut/reconnect requests at least three days before the required date. Ask your contractor to coordinate the repair, ESA inspection where required, and reconnection rather than booking those steps separately. [1]

Does ENWIN charge for every maintenance reconnection?

ENWIN offers one free regular-time cut/reconnect per service address per year, with exclusions for generator connections and work outside regular time. Its residential rates page also lists meter-reconnection charges. Confirm which arrangement applies to your repair. [1] [3]

Can I use an appliance after it dries following a flood?

ENWIN advises against using appliances that have been wet until an electrician checks them. Have an electrician inspect affected equipment and replace anything damaged by water. [2]