What do you do when your next door neighbour is having their addition renovated
and their addition is connected to your addition?

First of all, It rained really heavily the other day and water came into our kitchen
after they redid their roof that is connected to our roof.

I'm not even sure if they have a building license to do the reno job,
I couldn't see a license number for their company on their truck either.

What would you do?

Our neighbour that is having the addition redone isn't even home,
We tried calling them but there is no answer.

What do you do when your next door neighbour is having their addition renovated
and their addition is connected to your addition?

First of all, It rained really heavily the other day and water came into our kitchen
after they redid their roof that is connected to our roof.

I'm not even sure if they have a building license to do the reno job,
I couldn't see a license number for their company on their truck either.

What would you do?

Our neighbour that is having the addition redone isn't even home,
We tried calling them but there is no answer.

In St.John's, there is a legal limit of a building being no closer than 3-5 feet (I am not sure which) of the property line. So, at least here, nothing can get closer than 6-10 feet of your house.

I would call your insurance broker, your municipal council re their permit, and, if need be, a lawyer. Bonne chance, mon ami.

Call Toronto Buildings.
City of Toronto: Building Division (http://www.toronto.ca/building/)

Even if they have a permit, they should not be working in such a way that it causes problems for your property.

EDIT to ADD: If they have a permit, it should be visible from the street. It's possible that the work they are doing does not require a permit, but it still should not be creating problems for you.

In St.John's, there is a legal limit of a building being no closer than 3-5 feet (I am not sure which) of the property line. So, at least here, nothing can get closer than 6-10 feet of your house.

In the City of Toronto we have similar restrictions about lot-line setbacks (although they are highly variable across the city) however, many of the actual buildings and structures predate the zoning, and so they are grandfathered in.

If you do actual permit-requiring work on these things, sometimes they will make you remove the structure to comply with zoning, but more often you need to apply for a variance to legalize the zoning.... removal is seldom practical.

For example, in order to comply with zoning, for one of my properties, I would have to tear down the entire thing and rebuild something half the size--this is simply impractical.

Call Toronto Buildings.
City of Toronto: Building Division (http://www.toronto.ca/building/)

...

It's possible that the work they are doing does not require a permit, but it still should not be creating problems for you.

Good advice. I'd call right away. Also, it's highly unlikely that the work does not require a permit; nearly everything does.

Good advice. I'd call right away. Also, it's highly unlikely that the work does not require a permit; nearly everything does.

You should call your insurance to make sure their insurance pays yours for the damages now and in the future. Because water penetration now could lead to mold in the future.

Roof repairs like shingles do not require a permit. If they are changing the structure that is a different story.

Good advice. I'd call right away. Also, it's highly unlikely that the work does not require a permit; nearly everything does.

That's not true. In general, if you aren't changing anything structural, you don't require a permit.

That leaves a very wide open category of substantial renovations that don't need a permit.

That's not true. In general, if you aren't changing anything structural, you don't require a permit.

That leaves a very wide open category of substantial renovations that don't need a permit.

Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC all need permits. If you don't put in enough insulation they can put a stop on the work site. In general you need a building permit to makes changes in the home.

Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC all need permits. If you don't put in enough insulation they can put a stop on the work site. In general you need a building permit to makes changes in the home.

Generally speaking:
- Plumbing only if you are adding something or moving something more than 2 ft, though there are ways around that.
- HVAC only if you move or change it.
- Electrical, I'm less sure about, since I tend to leave that to my electrician to sort out with the ESA, particularly since the building I do the most renovation at has knob and tube (which requires a permit to replace; less sure about what you do with modern electrical systems.)

Doing anything not to code, even if a permit is not required, can get a you a stop work order.

I previously had a tenant who would call the City on us weekly while we were entirely gutting and re-building apartment units... we took everything down to the studs, made layout changes, and built it back up again. Aside from electrical (to replace the knob and tube) permits were not required so long as we didn't move the devising wall between apartments.

Mind you, my knowledge may be more applicable to multi-res rather than single res.

I'll know tomorrow, I found out my neighbours are coming back from holidays,
That's why they weren't answering their phone, Buggers.

I'll at least give them a chance to remedy the problem before taking drastic steps.

If you are living in two separate detached residences, how exactly is their addition connected to your addition?

If you are living in two separate detached residences, how exactly is their addition connected to your addition?

In the original post he indicated their addition is connected. So likely a semi-deatched.

The neighbours will likely be responsible ultimately for any damage. Which is why you should always use companies with proper insurance, reputation and permits.

For example, recently I had a quote from a good foundation waterproofing company, the house on my right side is quite close, they told me that if their foundation is exposed in the dig which it likely will be, I am responsible for any leaks they will have, even if it was there previously. By law. So they said generally will always waterproof the neighbours foundation as a precaution.

So if their work has caused water problems, on your side (even if it may have existed previously) I'll guess your neighbours are on the hook. Look into this.

Mind you, my knowledge may be more applicable to multi-res rather than single res.

Interesting... I wouldn't have thought that the permit requirements for multi-residential units would be different from other residential units. Frankly, I would have thought that the requirements for multi-residential would be more stringent.

In any case, this is a list of what does require a building permit (http://www.toronto.ca/building/pop_permit.htm) and this is a list of what does not require a building permit (http://www.toronto.ca/building/pop_no_permit.htm) and it's a pretty inclusive list of projects that would require a permit. That's for Toronto... the list might be different for other municipalities.

Interesting... I wouldn't have thought that the permit requirements for multi-residential units would be different from other residential units. Frankly, I would have thought that the requirements for multi-residential would be more stringent.

In any case, this is a list of what does require a building permit (http://www.toronto.ca/building/pop_permit.htm) and this is a list of what does not require a building permit (http://www.toronto.ca/building/pop_no_permit.htm) and it's a pretty inclusive list of projects that would require a permit. That's for Toronto... the list might be different for other municipalities.

Put together, this is not an exhaustive list of home construction jobs.

For example, you'll note that while "structural alterations" is on the "requires permit" list, they neglected to put "non-structural alterations" on the "does not require a permit" list.

A non-structural alternation leaves open quite a wide number of things you can do that does not require a permit.

The biggest difference that I'm aware of between single-res and multi-res is maintaining fire separation between units--that is very strict. But beyond that, I'm not sure if they are more stringent, less stringent or exactly the same.

Put together, this is not an exhaustive list of home construction jobs.

For example, you'll note that while "structural alterations" is on the "requires permit" list, they neglected to put "non-structural alterations" on the "does not require a permit" list.

A non-structural alternation leaves open quite a wide number of things you can do that does not require a permit.

The biggest difference that I'm aware of between single-res and multi-res is maintaining fire separation between units--that is very strict. But beyond that, I'm not sure if they are more stringent, less stringent or exactly the same.

I also see no mention of electrical work on either list. We can neither confirm not deny this category.

you don't need a permit for electrical afaik in toronto, but there is a requirement to have it inspected. Not sure who or what requires it, but I bet your insurance company would if you want coverage if there was a fire.

I also see no mention of electrical work on either list. We can neither confirm not deny this category.

Electrical permits are separate from building permits, and required for any work done by a home owner working on their own home. Electrical contractors require permits for any wiring that is new or any existing wiring that is altered or added to.

you don't need a permit for electrical afaik in toronto, but there is a requirement to have it inspected. Not sure who or what requires it, but I bet your insurance company would if you want coverage if there was a fire.

Anyone installing new wiring requires a permit and inspection. As mentioned, homeowners may only work on heir own home and no one unlicensed can work legally on electrical wiring anywhere. If found working without a license and/or permit is looking at fines and much trouble. Electrical contractors should be the only ones working on your electrical system.

Anyone installing new wiring requires a permit and inspection. As mentioned, homeowners may only work on heir own home and no one unlicensed can work legally on electrical wiring anywhere. If found working without a license and/or permit is looking at fines and much trouble. Electrical contractors should be the only ones working on your electrical system.

Actually, you don't require a permit, but a notification, which, for all intents and purposes acts like a permit, but, is in fact not a permit. Homeowners may legally work on their own electrical without being licensed, and can do so up to the box without notification, but beyond that do need a notification and inspections.

I also see no mention of electrical work on either list. We can neither confirm not deny this category.

Electrical permits are handled by the ESA, which is an entirely separate body from Toronto Buildings.

Actually, you don't require a permit, but a notification, which, for all intents and purposes acts like a permit, but, is in fact not a permit. Homeowners may legally work on their own electrical without being licensed, and can do so up to the box without notification, but beyond that do need a notification and inspections.

I never said homeowners needed to be licensed, only someone who works on a home that is not theirs needs to be licensed. Please explain what you mean by 'can do so up to the box'. Any new wiring must be inspected, period. There are code rules that must be followed no matter what part of the electrical installation. The only work that does not require a permit is when licensed electricians replace same for same meaning replacing something with the same and there are even limits on that. For example replacing a light fixture, ballast or switch, r&r appliances etc.

Actually, you don't require a permit, but a notification, which, for all intents and purposes acts like a permit, but, is in fact not a permit. Homeowners may legally work on their own electrical without being licensed, and can do so up to the box without notification, but beyond that do need a notification and inspections.

Visit the ESA website for more information about permits/inspections.

Electrical Safety Authority Inspection Requirements (http://www.esasafe.com/GeneralPublic/ir_001.php)

I never said homeowners needed to be licensed

Certainly reads that way to me...

homeowners may only work on heir own home and no one unlicensed can work legally on electrical wiring anywhere... Electrical contractors should be the only ones working on your electrical system.

---

Please explain what you mean by 'can do so up to the box'.

Homeowners can make changes up to the electrical box in the wall without having to get a notification or inspection. E.g. if you wanted to change a light switch to a rotary dimmer switch, or a light switch to a timer or motion sensor, or change an plug to a decora.

Visit the ESA website for more information about permits/inspections.

Electrical Safety Authority Inspection Requirements (http://www.esasafe.com/GeneralPublic/ir_001.php)

Where's the bit about permits? There isn't, because you don't pull an electrical permit, you get an ESA Notification and notification number. I do 2 - 3 houses a year, so, I'm pretty familiar with the process.

For example, you'll note that while "structural alterations" is on the "requires permit" list, they neglected to put "non-structural alterations" on the "does not require a permit" list.

A non-structural alternation leaves open quite a wide number of things you can do that does not require a permit.

However, they do include projects that "Install, change, or remove partitions..." on the list of what does require a permit. That covers a lot of non-structural work.

Electrical permits are separate from building permits, and required for any work done by a home owner working on their own home. Electrical contractors require permits for any wiring that is new or any existing wiring that is altered or added to.

no permits are required and you are not required to be licensed.

The esa wants to inspect your rough in, and then do a final inspection. (Often for a known licensed company they only do the rough in)

However, they do include projects that "Install, change, or remove partitions..." on the list of what does require a permit. That covers a lot of non-structural work.

Well then you should let the building inspectors know that they weren't doing their job when they were coming by regularly while we were in the process of substantially renovating a dozen apartments or so. (We had a tenant who kept calling them because she didn't like the noise.)

They came many times, over several months, they walked around everywhere, they saw what we were doing in all stages, and they told us we were fine.

It's either they screwed up, or you have it wrong.

G-mo, I take it you are a very handy person, working on homes for people, question is do you have an electrical license or an electrical apprenticeship that qualifies you to work on electrical wiring? Call 1-800-ESA-SAFE and ask any of the representatives what a home owner can work on in their own home without a PERMIT and you may be surprised what you hear. You will also be told that you will receive a NOTIFICATION NUMBER for your PERMIT when you apply. When a home owner decides that a plug needs to be changed or a dimmer installed, ESA is to be called, a PERMIT applied for and then you receive NOTIFICATION NUMBER associated with your electrical PERMIT, as mentioned, that allows you to complete the work. Once the work is completed you call for an INSPECTION, giving the NOTIFICATION number for the PERMIT taken out and the inspector will look at it on his next scheduled day in your area. If it is the final inspection then you will receive an outcome summary of the inspection. If the home owner then decides that his neighbour could use a hand wiring his home, and helps out, he is then in violation of the Ontario Electrical Code rules as he is not a licensed electrician and if he is then a permit should be taken out.
If you do 2-3 houses a year then you should know the REAL process and that if you have no license then you should not be doing electrical work unless these are your own dwellings not rentals you happen to own. If you are licensed then you are talking out the side of your mouth and know that permits are required on ANY NEW wiring installations (not talking plugs etc.) . The only time any one can legally do any electrical work without a permit is when a licensed electrician is doing maintenance work and replacing like for like e.g. replacing ballasts, lights, plugs, etc. New wiring or alterations required a permit.
Where's the bit about permits? If you read, it tells you an inspection is required, you honestly think that ESA is going to do an inspection without a permit taken out for the work? Wait, you said "I do 2 - 3 houses a year, so, I'm pretty familiar with the process." Ok that makes all the difference to them.

"no permits are required and you are not required to be licensed." Groovetube, who told you this misinformation? I reiterate, homeowners may work on their OWN homes but must be inspected by the ESA by applying for a permit and receiving a notification number. Then they will inspect the work performed. If it is rewiring or new that will be covered up, a rough in is called and inspected and once the job is complete a final is called. The rough in is to make sure all hidden wiring is safely installed and the final is to make sure all wiring is safely covered. (there is more to it than that but to save time...)
Yes, often a known licensed company will be passed on either the rough in or the final but only in rare occasions and only at the discretion of the inspector if not within ACP status. ESA has a program for these "known" contractors called ACP which stands for Authorized Contractor Program. This is a program developed with the contractors in mind that have proven themselves in the past to do things by the book, they must pay a yearly fee to stay in the program, they must keep their defect ratio below 4% and they must not fall behind in their account payments. These contractors are not inspected but are audited at the discretion of the inspector on that job. The inspector may look at the rough in or the final or neither if he decides. Anything else just call 1-800-ESA-SAFE for answers or visit their website at Welcome to ESAsafe (ESA) is a stand-alone, financially self-sustaining not-for-profit corporation (http://www.esasafe.com)

Well that certainly ANSWERS the question.

If you are living in two separate detached residences, how exactly is their addition connected to your addition?

We have a "Party Wall" with our neighbours,
I just hope they aren't using that party wall to support their new roof.

If we decide to redo our kitchen in the future,
I'd hate to run into surprises.

(They still aren't home yet)

Call 1-800-ESA-SAFE

LOL! I suggest you call them yourself, get a PERMIT and then scan it and post it here. Go ahead.

LOL! I suggest you call them yourself, get a PERMIT and then scan it and post it here. Go ahead.

Obviously you are not an electrical contractor, nor even an electrician are you? A handyman maybe? Or maybe a Cowboy Renovator yourself?
Are you speaking from experience? Is this a normal everyday thing for you? Wait you do what, 2-3 homes a year so you understand these things right?
Answer my question, are you a licensed electrician? Then we can move on.

We have a "Party Wall" with our neighbours,
I just hope they aren't using that party wall to support their new roof.

If we decide to redo our kitchen in the future,
I'd hate to run into surprises.

(They still aren't home yet)

Do you know if the 'party wall' is two independent walls side by side sharing a footing each supporting the individual unit or one single support wall shared by each side?

It's either they screwed up, or you have it wrong.

It could very well be both. The City and its inspectors aren't well-renowned for their competence.

Do you know if the 'party wall' is two independent walls side by side sharing a footing each supporting the individual unit or one single support wall shared by each side?

They told me that when they took down all their lathe and plaster they saw our outlet
for our kitchen in the wall, I'm hoping that they built a new load bearing wall for their roof.

It's kind of scary though, Considering our wall is on top of the brick tiers in the crawl space,
If they didn't put in new tiers, Then what would their new wall be sitting on?

That's if they built a new wall for their roof.

They told me that when they took down all their lathe and plaster they saw our outlet
for our kitchen in the wall, I'm hoping that they built a new load bearing wall for their roof.

It's kind of scary though, Considering our wall is on top of the brick tiers in the crawl space,
If they didn't put in new tiers, Then what would their new wall be sitting on?

I'm hoping for your sake that they fire rate that wall before they finish, if not they could be in for a rude awakening if discovered.

G-mo, I take it you are a very handy person, working on homes for people, question is do you have an electrical license or an electrical apprenticeship that qualifies you to work on electrical wiring? Call 1-800-ESA-SAFE and ask any of the representatives what a home owner can work on in their own home without a PERMIT and you may be surprised what you hear. You will also be told that you will receive a NOTIFICATION NUMBER for your PERMIT when you apply. When a home owner decides that a plug needs to be changed or a dimmer installed, ESA is to be called, a PERMIT applied for and then you receive NOTIFICATION NUMBER associated with your electrical PERMIT, as mentioned, that allows you to complete the work. Once the work is completed you call for an INSPECTION, giving the NOTIFICATION number for the PERMIT taken out and the inspector will look at it on his next scheduled day in your area. If it is the final inspection then you will receive an outcome summary of the inspection. If the home owner then decides that his neighbour could use a hand wiring his home, and helps out, he is then in violation of the Ontario Electrical Code rules as he is not a licensed electrician and if he is then a permit should be taken out.
If you do 2-3 houses a year then you should know the REAL process and that if you have no license then you should not be doing electrical work unless these are your own dwellings not rentals you happen to own. If you are licensed then you are talking out the side of your mouth and know that permits are required on ANY NEW wiring installations (not talking plugs etc.) . The only time any one can legally do any electrical work without a permit is when a licensed electrician is doing maintenance work and replacing like for like e.g. replacing ballasts, lights, plugs, etc. New wiring or alterations required a permit.
Where's the bit about permits? If you read, it tells you an inspection is required, you honestly think that ESA is going to do an inspection without a permit taken out for the work? Wait, you said "I do 2 - 3 houses a year, so, I'm pretty familiar with the process." Ok that makes all the difference to them.

"no permits are required and you are not required to be licensed." Groovetube, who told you this misinformation? I reiterate, homeowners may work on their OWN homes but must be inspected by the ESA by applying for a permit and receiving a notification number. Then they will inspect the work performed. If it is rewiring or new that will be covered up, a rough in is called and inspected and once the job is complete a final is called. The rough in is to make sure all hidden wiring is safely installed and the final is to make sure all wiring is safely covered. (there is more to it than that but to save time...)
Yes, often a known licensed company will be passed on either the rough in or the final but only in rare occasions and only at the discretion of the inspector if not within ACP status. ESA has a program for these "known" contractors called ACP which stands for Authorized Contractor Program. This is a program developed with the contractors in mind that have proven themselves in the past to do things by the book, they must pay a yearly fee to stay in the program, they must keep their defect ratio below 4% and they must not fall behind in their account payments. These contractors are not inspected but are audited at the discretion of the inspector on that job. The inspector may look at the rough in or the final or neither if he decides. Anything else just call 1-800-ESA-SAFE for answers or visit their website at Welcome to ESAsafe (ESA) is a stand-alone, financially self-sustaining not-for-profit corporation (http://www.esasafe.com)

If you want to be a contractor and work for other people professionally, then you do need to be licensed just as contractors should licensed. But if you want to rewire your home, or on your friends house, you don't have to be licensed.

And from my understanding, it isn't permits, you apply for an inspection, the rough in and the final. I've owned 3 houses and in all 3 cases, this was what I have seen.

If you want to be a contractor and work for other people professionally, then you do need to be licensed just as contractors should licensed. But if you want to rewire your home, or on your friends house, you don't have to be licensed.

And from my understanding, it isn't permits, you apply for an inspection, the rough in and the final. I've owned 3 houses and in all 3 cases, this was what I have seen.

Yes if you want to work for other people professionally, you need a license for the trade you choose, a contractors license to be legal as a business and insurance for liability as well as comp. If you decide to work on your own home, no license required but a PERMIT is required for ANY electrical work performed, which leads into an inspection when the work is performed. If you decide to not help but do the work for a friend or neighbour you are now stepping into the contractors seat no matter how you look at it and requires a license for the person performing the work.
From your understanding you can say what you will, but lets get the terminology correct. The word permit means "give authorization or consent to (someone) to do something" and the word notification means "the action of notifying someone or something" and inspection means "careful examination or scrutiny". So put it together, you notify that your are doing the work, your are given authorization and then the work is carefully examined. You call to notify, your are given a permit (with a notification number for when you notify) that gives you the go ahead and then you call with your notification number to receive an inspection date to examine the work. Understand, yes?
If you happen to find an Ontario Code book laying around, check Section 2, it explains everything in plain english, the definitions and what is and isn't required according to the Electrical Safety Code.

Sorry if this thread got hijacked, wasn't meant to be.

It could very well be both. The City and its inspectors aren't well-renowned for their competence.

I have dealt with many building inspectors, and of those many are genuine and many are on a power trip.
Many times the city and it's inspectors are not on the same page and the engineers are sometimes in a different time zone altogether.

Yes if you want to work for other people professionally, you need a license for the trade you choose, a contractors license to be legal as a business and insurance for liability as well as comp. If you decide to work on your own home, no license required but a PERMIT is required for ANY electrical work performed, which leads into an inspection when the work is performed. If you decide to not help but do the work for a friend or neighbour you are now stepping into the contractors seat no matter how you look at it and requires a license for the person performing the work.
From your understanding you can say what you will, but lets get the terminology correct. The word permit means "give authorization or consent to (someone) to do something" and the word notification means "the action of notifying someone or something" and inspection means "careful examination or scrutiny". So put it together, you notify that your are doing the work, your are given authorization and then the work is carefully examined. You call to notify, your are given a permit (with a notification number for when you notify) that gives you the go ahead and then you call with your notification number to receive an inspection date to examine the work. Understand, yes?
If you happen to find an Ontario Code book laying around, check Section 2, it explains everything in plain english, the definitions and what is and isn't required according to the Electrical Safety Code.

Sorry if this thread got hijacked, wasn't meant to be.

If you look on the ESA site, you will notice that you are supposed to apply for the inspection 48 hours after the work commences. You keep using the word, "permit". There is no mentions of "permits" anywhere for electrical work, you must have the work inspected by the ESA.

From the ESA site:
Homeowners who are doing their own electrical installations should contact the Electrical Safety Authority at 1-877-372-7233 to arrange for an electrical inspection. These arrangements should be made up to 48 hours after the commencement of work. - no mention of a permit, "granting someone permission to do the work.

And yes, any contractor especially electrical are supposed to be licensed. But there are no, electrical "permits" that I'm aware of, certainly none were available when I've done any rewiring, just inspections. And the contractor I hired for a house, also no permits, just inspections.

If there are "permits" granted, can please show me where tis is on ESA site?

They told me that when they took down all their lathe and plaster they saw our outlet
for our kitchen in the wall, I'm hoping that they built a new load bearing wall for their roof.

It's kind of scary though, Considering our wall is on top of the brick tiers in the crawl space,
If they didn't put in new tiers, Then what would their new wall be sitting on?

That's if they built a new wall for their roof.

perhaps they simply redrywalled the shared wall. The water problem though, perhaps they didn't properly seal things where their roof matches yours, or created a leak. That's my guess. They have to get the contractor to come back and fix it right away. End of story.

If you look on the ESA site, you will notice that you are supposed to apply for the inspection 48 hours after the work commences. You keep using the word, "permit". There is no mentions of "permits" anywhere for electrical work, you must have the work inspected by the ESA.

From the ESA site:
- no mention of a permit, "granting someone permission to do the work.

And yes, any contractor especially electrical are supposed to be licensed. But there are no, electrical "permits" that I'm aware of, certainly none were available when I've done any rewiring, just inspections. And the contractor I hired for a house, also no permits, just inspections.

If there are "permits" granted, can please show me where tis is on ESA site?

Electrical Safety Authority Certificates of Inspection (http://www.esasafe.com/GeneralPublic/ci_001.php?s=7)

The Certificate of Inspection is sent to the permit applicant -- ask your contractor for a copy of the Certificate.

Electrical Safety Authority Certificates of Inspection (http://www.esasafe.com/GeneralPublic/ci_001.php?s=7)

The Certificate of Inspection is sent to the permit applicant -- ask your contractor for a copy of the Certificate.

There is though, no permit. Is there an application for a 'permit' that I have missed?

All I have been aware of, is the requirement to apply for the inspections. As mentioned, you're supposed to do this by 48 hours AFTER you start the work.

Where is the app for a 'permit'?

There is though, no permit. Is there an application for a 'permit' that I have missed?

All I have been aware of, is the requirement to apply for the inspections. As mentioned, you're supposed to do this by 48 hours AFTER you start the work.

Where is the app for a 'permit'?

One thing I would like to point out, if you are doing electrical work on the side, are not licensed, have a full time job employed somewhere else, you sir are what we in the industry call a cowboy renovator or trunk slammer. You take the work away from the ones who rely on it for a living.
In the past 25 years I have been in this business I have seen many changes in the electrical industry, and in those 25 years I have worked on many homes and commercial/industrial businesses and have dealt with electrical inspectors who have come and gone, I have even seen one inspector start and now recently retire. Inspection used to be controlled by Ontario Hydro before it was Hydro One now it is a non profit company called the ESA. I have worked from the Toronto area to Stratford and from Peterborough to Niagara Falls and I knew/know many of the inspectors and they know my company. The terminology may have changed over the course of time but everyone in the electrical industry, the utility companies, the ESA office, every inspector I deal with, all the general contractors and all the other electrical contractors I know, say permit because it is a permit. Whether you want to call it a notification, a permit, an inspection, a rip off, what ever, it still compares to the building department and their terminology - permit. You pay, you do, they inspect. I am not saying anything further about the subject, you are disputing terminology that has been in place longer than you or I have been around. Since knob and tube wiring it has been called a permit. Cheers.

Edit, Sorry crawford for ruining your thread, I will only sit on the sidelines now or discuss your issue.

Not my thread, I was one of the original hijackers ;)

right!, sorry lawrence, heres to you!

One thing I would like to point out, if you are doing electrical work on the side, are not licensed, have a full time job employed somewhere else, you sir are what we in the industry call a cowboy renovator or trunk slammer. You take the work away from the ones who rely on it for a living.
In the past 25 years I have been in this business I have seen many changes in the electrical industry, and in those 25 years I have worked on many homes and commercial/industrial businesses and have dealt with electrical inspectors who have come and gone, I have even seen one inspector start and now recently retire. Inspection used to be controlled by Ontario Hydro before it was Hydro One now it is a non profit company called the ESA. I have worked from the Toronto area to Stratford and from Peterborough to Niagara Falls and I knew/know many of the inspectors and they know my company. The terminology may have changed over the course of time but everyone in the electrical industry, the utility companies, the ESA office, every inspector I deal with, all the general contractors and all the other electrical contractors I know, say permit because it is a permit. Whether you want to call it a notification, a permit, an inspection, a rip off, what ever, it still compares to the building department and their terminology - permit. You pay, you do, they inspect. I am not saying anything further about the subject, you are disputing terminology that has been in place longer than you or I have been around. Since knob and tube wiring it has been called a permit. Cheers.

Edit, Sorry crawford for ruining your thread, I will only sit on the sidelines now or discuss your issue.

None of the licensed electrical contractors I know call it a permit. I asked. Perhaps some do. The reason for the distinction, if you were following in this thread, was the talk about whether you need to go and get a permit for doing work on your house, and if so, for what. There's a huge difference between having to get a permit, -before- you start the work, and the process that requires, and not having to get a permit, starting the work, and scheduling to have the inspections on the work. To the average person wondering what does and doesn't require a permit, it's confusing. So much misinformation out there.

As for doing electrical work without a license professionally, that's a no no as already mentioned. But there are lots of unlicensed contractors out there, and as a homeowner it's up to you to do your homework and ensure the person doing the work is.