Question 1

Does the electrical contractor licence number belong on my Surrey quote?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and in Surrey it matters more than most people realise. Surrey runs its own electrical permit and inspection program, not Technical Safety BC, so the contractor you hire needs to be in good standing with both Surrey's building department and Technical Safety BC. A quote that omits the licence number is a yellow flag worth following up on before you sign anything.

Every electrical contractor in BC is licensed by Technical Safety BC, and that licence number should appear on any written quote

Question 2

Can a Vancouver electrician handle strata paperwork on my behalf?

Accepted Answer

Strata paperwork is mostly your job as the unit owner, but a good electrician can make the process much easier by providing the technical documents the strata council needs to say yes.

What the Strata Process Actually Looks Like

Under the Strata Property Act, any work that touches common property (in-wall wiring, the electrical room, parkade conduit, the building's main panel) requires council approval before work starts. For most electrical projects in a strata, that means submitting a writt

Question 3

Is a written scope of work normal from a Burnaby electrician for small jobs?

Accepted Answer

For small jobs in Burnaby, a written scope of work is not always standard practice, but it is reasonable to ask for one and a good electrician will not hesitate to provide it.

For a single-outlet repair or a breaker swap, many electricians will quote verbally on-site and follow up with an invoice. That is normal. Where a written scope becomes genuinely useful, and where you should push for it, is any job that involves a permit, multiple circuits, or work that will be hidden inside walls once it

Question 4

Why does one North Vancouver electrician want a deposit before ordering a charger?

Accepted Answer

Deposits for EV charger installations are completely normal in Metro Vancouver, and a request for one before ordering hardware is a reasonable business practice, not a red flag on its own.

Why Electricians Ask for a Deposit on EV Charger Jobs

The short answer is that EV charger hardware is a significant, non-returnable special order. A Level 2 home charger (the 240V unit that actually lives on your wall) typically costs $600–$1,000 for the unit alone, before any installation labour. An electr

Hiring & Quotes

Does the electrical contractor licence number belong on my Surrey quote?

Can a Vancouver electrician handle strata paperwork on my behalf?

Is a written scope of work normal from a Burnaby electrician for small jobs?

Why does one North Vancouver electrician want a deposit before ordering a charger?