Frequently Asked
Real answers, in plain language.
The questions homeowners and businesses in Waterloo Region ask us most often. If your question is not here, call us. We will tell you the truth.
General Questions
Are you a licensed electrical contractor?
Yes. Cameron Electric Inc. is a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) under the Electrical Safety Authority of Ontario. Our ECRA/ESA Licence number is on every quote and on the footer of this site. We are also fully insured and WSIB-compliant.What areas do you serve?
Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, New Hamburg, Elmira, Wellesley, Baden, Breslau and Ayr. If you are within about 30 minutes of our Kitchener shop on McBrine Place, we are your contractor.Do you do free quotes?
Yes. For most residential and commercial projects we provide a free, written, fixed-price quote. For straightforward repairs we can sometimes quote over the phone after a few questions and a couple of photos.Do you handle emergency calls?
Yes. We offer 24/7 emergency service for power outages, sparking outlets, burning smells from panels, and other safety-critical issues. Call our regular line at 519-465-4614 and follow the after-hours prompt.Do I need an ESA permit for the work I'm planning?
Probably yes. Almost any wiring change in Ontario beyond a simple like-for-like fixture or device swap requires an ESA notification. As a licensed contractor we file the permit, schedule the inspection, and deliver the Certificate of Inspection to you. You should never pay an electrician who does not pull permits.Why does my insurance company care about my electrical panel?
Several panel brands (most notably Federal Pioneer / Stab-Lok) and older 60-amp services have a documented history of fire risk. Many Ontario insurers will not renew home policies until these are upgraded and an ESA Certificate of Inspection is on file.How quickly can you get to me?
Standard service calls are usually scheduled within 2 to 5 business days. Emergencies are same-day or next-day. Larger projects (renovations, panel upgrades, generator installs) we book based on your timeline and the lead time of the equipment.Do you take credit cards?
Yes, we accept Visa, Mastercard, e-transfer and cheque. Most jobs are invoiced after completion and ESA inspection.Will you put it in writing?
Always. Every job over a basic service call gets a written quote with the scope of work, fixed price, ESA permit costs, materials, and target completion. No surprises on the invoice.Can you work on knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring?
Yes. Replacement of knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring is a regular part of our work in older Kitchener, Cambridge and Guelph neighbourhoods. We do partial replacements where the rest of the system is sound, and full rewires where needed.
By Service
Residential
Do I need a permit for residential electrical work?
Almost any wiring work in Ontario beyond a like-for-like fixture swap requires an Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) notification. As a licensed electrical contractor we file the permit, schedule the ESA inspection and hand you the Certificate of Inspection at the end.How long does typical residential work take?
A few outlet replacements take an hour or two. A whole-home rewire on a small bungalow runs three to five days. We give you a clear written quote with a target completion date before any work begins.
Commercial
Can you work after hours so we don't have to close?
Yes. Most of our commercial work happens evenings, early mornings or weekends so your customers and staff are not affected. We confirm the schedule with your manager before any tools come out of the truck.Do you handle Save-on-Energy lighting rebates?
We help you scope retrofit projects to qualify for IESO Save-on-Energy incentives where they apply, and we document fixture counts and wattage for the rebate application.
Panel Upgrades
How long is the power off during a panel upgrade?
Most panel upgrades take six to eight hours of off-power time. We start in the morning, hydro disconnects, we swap the panel and circuits, ESA inspects, hydro reconnects. You sleep with the lights on the same night.Why does my insurance company want my panel upgraded?
Federal Pioneer / Stab-Lok panels and 60-amp services are flagged because of fire-risk history and inadequate capacity for modern loads. Many insurers will not renew without an upgrade. We provide the ESA Certificate of Inspection your insurer needs.
EV Chargers
Do I need a 200-amp panel for an EV charger?
Not always. A standard 100-amp panel can support most Level 2 chargers if your existing loads are typical. We do a load calculation before quoting. When the panel is tight, a load-management device like the DCC-9 lets us add a charger without a service upgrade.How long does a charger install take?
Most installs are a single half-day, four to six hours, including the ESA notification. Longer runs through finished basements or upper-floor garages add time.
Generators
What size generator do I need?
It depends on what you want running. Essential-circuits backup (furnace, fridge, sump, a few outlets) usually needs 8-12 kW. Whole-home backup including AC and electric range typically needs 18-22 kW. We do a load survey before recommending a model.How loud are standby generators?
Modern air-cooled units run around 65 dB at the unit, similar to a quiet conversation. We site them in compliance with municipal noise bylaws and recommend placements that minimize what your neighbours hear.
Lighting
Will pot lights damage my ceiling?
We cut clean holes, run cables through joist bays without removing drywall sheets where possible, and patch and paint any access holes. In most rooms the only marks are the pot light openings themselves.What is the right color temperature?
Most homes look best at 2700K-3000K (warm white) for living spaces and 3500K-4000K (neutral) for kitchens and bathrooms. Garages and shops want 4000K-5000K (cool white). We bring samples so you can compare in your own space.
Renovations
Can you work directly with my contractor?
Yes. We have ongoing relationships with several Waterloo Region builders. Your GC handles the schedule and we slot in for the rough-in and the finish, the same way we would on any of our other sites.When in the renovation should I bring you in?
Before drywall. Once the framing is up and inspected, we walk through with you and mark switch and outlet locations. The wrong time to call us is after the drywall is up.
ESA & Inspections
How is your inspection different from the home inspector's?
Home inspectors are generalists. We are licensed electricians. We open the panel, test grounds and circuits, identify hidden knob-and-tube and aluminum wiring, and tell you exactly what an electrical safety authority would flag and what it would cost to fix.What is an ESA Certificate of Inspection?
It is the document the Electrical Safety Authority issues after they inspect work that was done under permit. It proves the work meets the Ontario Electrical Safety Code. Insurance underwriters and home buyers' lawyers ask for it.
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Call us, fill out the form, or email Greg directly. We respond within one business day. Emergencies are answered 24/7.