Whether it's upgrading an outdated.
Got questions about electrical work in your Mississauga home or business? You’re in the right place. I’m Asif Alam Khan, a licensed electrician with over 22 years of experience in Ontario. Below are the questions I get asked most often answered honestly, without the runaround.
Yes. Azan Electric Inc holds ECRA/ESA License #7018244, issued by the Electrical Contractor Registration Agency and recognized by the Electrical Safety Authority of Ontario. You can verify this number directly on the ESA's online contractor lookup. Every job we complete is done by a licensed electrician and meets the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
In Ontario, most electrical work beyond simple fixture swaps legally requires an ESA permit. This includes panel upgrades, EV charger installations, new circuit additions, basement wiring, rewiring, and most renovation electrical. The permit ensures an ESA inspector verifies the work meets code protecting your home, your insurance, and the future sale of your property. As a licensed contractor, we pull all required permits. We never do unpermitted work on jobs that need it.
Several things all bad. First, your home insurance may deny claims for damage caused by unpermitted electrical work. Second, when you sell your home, a buyer's inspector will flag missing ESA Certificates of Inspection, which can kill the deal or require costly remediation before closing. Third, unpermitted work doesn't get inspected, which means mistakes go undetected until something fails. It's not worth the risk.
The Certificate of Inspection (COI) is the document ESA issues after an inspector verifies that your electrical work meets Ontario code. It's proof the work was done legally and safely. You need it for your insurance records, for rebate applications (like Alectra's EV charger rebate), and when you sell your home. We coordinate the ESA inspection and provide you with the COI after every permitted job.
Homeowners can legally perform some minor electrical work in their own home under Ontario's Homeowner Permit program such as replacing devices, fixtures, and similar work. However, major work like panel upgrades, EV charger installation, new circuits, and rewiring requires a licensed electrical contractor. Even when homeowners are permitted to do certain work, ESA permits and inspections may still apply. If you're unsure, ask us we'll tell you honestly what requires a contractor and what doesn't.
Visit the Electrical Safety Authority's website (esasafe.com) and use their contractor lookup tool. Enter the contractor's name or license number. Azan Electric's ECRA/ESA license number is #7018244. If a contractor can't provide a license number or their number doesn't appear in the ESA database, don't hire them.
Yes. We provide free on-site estimates for all residential and commercial electrical projects across the GTA. We visit your property, assess the work, and provide a written quote free of charge, no pressure, no obligation. We don't quote over the phone for jobs that require a proper site assessment because we'd just be making numbers up. An accurate quote requires seeing the actual job.
Pricing varies by job type. For reference: service calls and diagnostic visits typically run $150-$250. Outlet or switch replacements are $150-$300. Panel upgrades range from $1,800-$5,500+ depending on scope. EV charger installations range from $800-$2,500 for typical setups. Pot light installations run $100-$200 per light installed. Every project gets a written quote before work begins no surprises.
Because separating permit costs from labour costs is a common way contractors make quotes look cheaper than they are. When we quote you a price, that price covers the complete, legal job: labour, materials, ESA permit, inspection coordination, and the Certificate of Inspection. What we quote is what you pay.
Yes. We offer financing through Financeit for larger projects like panel upgrades, whole home rewiring, and EV charger installations. Qualified applicants can spread payments over 24-60 months. Ask us about financing options when we do your estimate.
A few reasons. Some leave out the ESA permit (illegal, and bad for you). Some use cheaper off brand components. Some are quoting a scope of work that doesn't include everything the job actually requires they add it back as change orders later. Some plan to subcontract the work to an unlicensed helper. When comparing quotes, make sure every quote includes the same scope: ESA permit, materials, labour, inspection. An apples-to-apples comparison almost always narrows the gap.
Common signs include: breakers that trip frequently or won't stay reset, lights that flicker or dim when appliances run, a burning smell near the panel, a 60-amp fuse box, a Federal Pioneer or Zinsco panel, or plans to add an EV charger, hot tub, or major appliance. If your home was built before 1990 and you've never upgraded the panel, it's worth having an assessment. For a full breakdown of warning signs, see our dedicated guide linked below.
A standard 100-amp to 200-amp upgrade typically takes 4-6 hours of on-site work. You'll be without power during that window. If the meter base also needs replacement, add 1-2 hours. The ESA inspection happens separately, usually within 1-2 weeks after installation your power is on during the inspection.
In 2026, the typical range is $2,500-$4,500 for a standard 100A-to-200A upgrade including ESA permit and inspection. If the meter base needs replacement, add $300-$700. If the service entrance cable is undersized, add $400-$900. Every home is different — we'll give you an accurate written quote after an on-site assessment.
Not always. Many homes with existing 200-amp service can support a Level 2 EV charger without any panel work. Homes with 100-amp service can sometimes support EV charging with load management. Homes with 60-amp fuse service typically need a full upgrade before EV charging is possible. We do a load calculation during the free estimate to give you a definitive answer for your home.
It's a legitimate safety concern. Federal Pioneer Stab-Lok breakers have a documented history of failing to trip during overloads in some units, which can lead to overheating and fire. Multiple independent studies have found higher-than-expected failure rates. We recommend replacing Federal Pioneer panels regardless of whether they're currently 'working.' A working Federal Pioneer is still a risk it's the ones that stop working at the wrong moment that cause problems.
Yes, in Ontario, Level 2 (240V) EV charger installation legally requires a licensed electrical contractor and an ESA permit. This applies to Tesla Wall Connectors, ChargePoint, FLO, Grizzl-E, JuiceBox, and all Level 2 chargers. Beyond the legal requirement, professional installation protects your home insurance coverage, your vehicle warranty, and your eligibility for rebates like Alectra's home EV charger program.
For a typical home installation with an existing 200-amp panel: $800-$1,500. With a longer wire run (30-60 feet): $1,200-$1,900. If load management is needed: $1,500-$2,500. If a panel upgrade is also required: $3,500-$5,500 total. These ranges include ESA permit and inspection.
Mississauga is in Alectra Utilities' service territory. Alectra has historically offered up to $1,000 back on eligible Level 2 home EV charger installations (50% of purchase and installation cost). Installation must be by a licensed electrician with ESA permit and inspection. On the vehicle side, the federal EVAP program offers up to $5,000 rebate on eligible new EV purchases. Rebate programs change — we verify current eligibility during your free estimate.
Yes — Ontario's Condominium Act gives condo owners the right to request EV charger installation in their parking stall. The corporation must consider your application and can only refuse for legitimate reasons. We help prepare the technical application (drawings and specifications) and handle installation after approval. The process takes longer than a house install but it's very much doable. We've completed multiple condo EV charger installs across Mississauga.
Level 1 uses a standard 120V outlet — adds 5-8 km of range per hour. Fine for plug-in hybrids, very slow for full EVs. Level 2 uses a 240V dedicated circuit — adds 30-50 km of range per hour. The standard for home EV charging. DC Fast Charging (Level 3) uses direct current at much higher power — adds 100-300 km in 20-30 minutes. These are commercial/public charging stations, not practical for home installation. We install Level 2 chargers for residential and commercial clients.
We install all major Level 2 charger brands: Tesla Wall Connector (Gen 3), ChargePoint Home Flex, FLO Home G5 and X5, Grizzl-E Classic and Smart, JuiceBox 40 and 48, Enphase IQ EV Charger, Emporia Level 2, and Wallbox Pulsar Plus. If you've already bought a charger from another brand, we can typically install it if it meets ESA and Alectra requirements.
Knob-and-tube (K&T) is an older wiring method used in Canadian homes roughly between 1900 and 1950. It uses separate hot and neutral wires (no ground) supported by ceramic knobs and run through ceramic tubes in wall studs. It's not inherently dangerous when it's original and undisturbed — but it becomes a problem when it's been extended with modern wire (creating mismatched connections), when insulation has been blown over it (K&T needs air circulation to dissipate heat), when it's been modified by non-professionals, or when breakers have been upsized beyond the wire's capacity. Most Canadian home insurance companies refuse coverage or charge very high premiums for homes with active K&T wiring.
Full replacement requires running new copper wiring throughout the home — a significant project. For a typical Mississauga home built pre-1950, budget $8,000-$15,000 for full rewiring, including ESA permits and inspections. The timeline is usually 5-14 days. We work room-by-room to minimize disruption and fish wiring through walls wherever possible to reduce drywall damage. After completion, you receive an ESA Certificate of Inspection to give your insurance company.
Aluminum wiring was common in Canadian homes built in the 1960s and 1970s as an alternative to the then-expensive copper. The problem is aluminum expands and contracts more than copper with temperature changes, which gradually loosens connections — creating heat and potential fire risk. Connections to outlets, switches, and light fixtures are the highest-risk points. Remediation involves installing special connectors (COPALUM or AlumiConn) at every connection point, or rewiring the home with copper. We assess aluminum wiring systems and recommend the appropriate remediation approach based on the home's specific situation.
Yes — and we do it regularly. For most rewiring projects, we work room-by-room, restoring power at the end of each workday. We use drop cloths to protect your floors and belongings, minimize drywall damage by fishing wires through walls where possible, and communicate our schedule clearly so you can plan around work areas. The exception is the main panel work, where power to the whole home is off for 4-6 hours — we schedule that window with you in advance.
Not always. We use a combination of techniques to minimize drywall work: fishing wires through wall cavities from the attic or basement, using flexible drill bits to navigate around obstacles, and accessing wiring through outlet and switch boxes. In some homes (especially those with very dense structure or finished basements above), some limited drywall cutting is unavoidable. We tell you upfront during the estimate how much drywall work to expect and whether a patch is straightforward. We don't do drywall repairs ourselves, but we can recommend trusted trades.
For a typical finished ceiling, pot lights run $150-$250 each installed, including the LED fixture and labour. In a basement with an open ceiling, it's closer to $90-$130 each. A living room with 6 pot lights and a dimmer typically costs $900-$1,400 installed. A full basement with 14-16 pot lights and dimmers is usually $1,600-$2,500. These ranges include the LED fixtures.
Adding pot lights to an existing circuit typically doesn't require a permit. Adding new circuits for lighting does. During your estimate, we identify whether permits are needed for your specific project and include them in the quote if so.
It depends on the room. For living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms, 2700K (warm white) is most popular — it's similar to incandescent and feels cozy. For kitchens and home offices, 3000K or 3500K (neutral white) improves task visibility. For basements and garages, 4000K (cool white) provides good visibility. We carry multiple color temperatures and can mix them based on your preference. All our pot light installations are dimmable-compatible by default.
Yes. We offer 24/7 emergency electrical response across Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Etobicoke, Milton, Burlington, and the GTA — including weekends and holidays. For genuine emergencies (burning smell, sparks, power loss, buzzing panel), call (647) 570-3533 directly. Don't email for emergencies — call.
Call us immediately for: any burning smell near outlets, switches, or your panel; visible sparks from any electrical component; warm or hot outlets, switches, or panel; buzzing or crackling sounds from your panel; breakers that trip instantly when reset; power out at only your home while neighbours have power; discoloration or scorch marks near outlets; water near electrical equipment. These are fire or electrocution risks. Don't wait for morning.
If you smell burning or see sparks, turn off your main breaker if you can do it safely (it's the large switch at the top of your panel). If you can't access the panel safely, leave the area and call us. Don't touch any electrical components. Keep others away from the affected area. If there's actual smoke or fire, call 911 first, then us. For power-only issues (no smell, no sparks), leave the breaker off if it's tripped and wait for us.
Yes. After-hours, weekend, and holiday service includes an emergency dispatch fee that reflects overtime labour — typically $200-$450 depending on the time of day. This is applied transparently before any repair work begins. We don't price-gouge in emergencies, but we're honest that urgent response at 2 AM costs more than a scheduled daytime visit.
Yes. We handle commercial electrical for restaurants, banquet halls, dental clinics, barber shops and salons, offices, warehouses, retail spaces, and condo buildings across the GTA. Commercial work is a significant part of our business — Asif has 22+ years of commercial project experience including full tenant improvements, equipment installations, LED retrofits, and commercial panel upgrades.
Yes. We regularly schedule commercial electrical work in the evenings, overnight, or on weekends to avoid business disruption. We understand that an electrician pulling cables through your restaurant during lunch service isn't acceptable. Scheduling flexibility is part of how we work.
Yes. We provide our ECRA/ESA license certificate, liability insurance certificate, and WSIB clearance certificate on request. These are standard requirements for most commercial landlords, property management companies, and corporate clients. We have them ready to provide before work begins.
Our primary service area is Mississauga, where we're based. We also serve Brampton, Oakville, Etobicoke, Milton, Burlington, and Toronto's west end regularly. For larger commercial projects, we travel further within Ontario. Call (647) 570-3533 to confirm service in your specific area.
Yes. We serve all of Brampton including Castlemore, Vales of Castlemore, Springdale, Bramalea, Fletcher's Meadow, Credit Valley, and surrounding areas. Brampton is one of our most active service areas.
Yes. We serve all of Oakville and Burlington regularly. Oakville work often involves premium homes and smart home electrical, while Burlington work spans older heritage homes to newer subdivisions. Both areas are within our regular service radius from Mississauga.
Every home and project is different. If your question isn’t answered here, call us directly we’ll give you a straight answer. Licensed Electrician, Mississauga & GTA ECRA/ESA License #7018244
Licensed electrical contractor serving Mississauga and the GTA since 2003. 22+ years of ESA certified electrical services residential, commercial, and emergency.
ECRA/ESA License #7018244
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