Upgrade the electrical panel or service
"Panel upgrade" and "service upgrade" are often used interchangeably and are not the same work. Replacing the panel changes the distribution equipment inside your house. Upgrading the service changes the capacity coming in from the utility — a larger mast, meter base, and utility coordination. The second is substantially more expensive and involves the local distribution company as well as the ESA. Getting a quote that does not say which one you are buying is the most common problem in this category.
What applies when you upgrade the electrical panel or service in Ontario?
In Ontario, this job can involve two bodies: the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) — notification and inspection; and your municipal building department — permit may apply where the mast, structure, or exterior is altered.
Source: ESA — DIY electrical work (Ontario Electrical Safety Code) · Reviewed 2026-09-10 (reviewer placeholder — not credentialed sign-off)
What applies
Notification and inspection
Who files The licensed electrical contractor, or you if doing the work on your own home.
Mandatory. The ESA inspection record is what proves the work was done properly, and it is what a buyer's lawyer may ask for later.
Permit may apply where the mast, structure, or exterior is altered
Who files The contractor.
Confirm locally.
Who has to be certified
| Trade | What they need | Ask them |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | ECRA/ESA licensed electrical contractor Find a licensed electrical contractor (ESA) |
“What is your ECRA/ESA licence number? I want to check it on the ESA directory.” |
What a complete quote contains
- An explicit statement of whether this is a panel replacement, a service upgrade, or both
- The resulting service capacity in amps
- Coordination with the local distribution company where the service is changing, and who arranges the disconnect
- The ESA notification fee
- How long power will be off
- Whether existing branch circuits are being reused, and what happens if any fail inspection
- Treatment of any knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring found during the work
Questions to ask out loud
Is this a panel change or a service upgrade? Say which.
Good answer Answers plainly and prices them separately if both.
Worrying answer Uses the terms interchangeably.
What is your ECRA/ESA licence number?
Good answer Gives it without hesitation.
Worrying answer Says they work under someone else's, or that residential doesn't require one.
Who coordinates with the utility, and how long is power off?
Good answer Owns the coordination and gives a realistic window.
Worrying answer Hasn't considered it.
What happens if you find knob-and-tube or aluminum behind the walls?
Good answer Explains how it would be priced and that it may affect insurance.
Worrying answer Says it won't come up.
Will I get documentation of the ESA inspection?
Good answer Yes, and explains what it is.
Worrying answer Doesn't think you need it. You do — at resale.
Watch for
high No ESA notification, or an offer to skip it for a discount.
But before you accuse anyone None. An uninspected panel is both a safety and a resale problem, and can affect an insurance claim.
high Can't produce a licence number.
But before you accuse anyone A journeyperson working for a licensed contractor won't have their own contractor number — but the company must. Ask for the company's.
medium Quote doesn't distinguish panel from service.
But before you accuse anyone Sometimes just loose language. Ask them to write down which one it is.
Currency note
If your home still has knob-and-tube or aluminum branch wiring, that is an insurance conversation as well as an electrical one. Some insurers will not write a policy without remediation, and finding out during the work is worse than finding out before.
Systems this job touches
Sources and review
Reviewed Reviewed 2026-09-10 Next review 2027-03-09 Tier A · 180-day SLA Reviewer: Trade reviewer (to be appointed) (placeholder)