Backup power in British Columbia
Electricians for generators and transfer switches.
Search by postal code or city
We don’t store what you type.
Cities in British Columbia
Choose your city to see the pros.
What applies across British Columbia
Technical Safety BC says that when you hire a licensed contractor, the contractor applies for the electrical permit on your behalf; owners of a strata unit or a non-strata duplex, and people running a business from home, can't get a homeowner permit and must hire a licensed contractor.
Technical Safety BC requires licensed electrical and gas contractors to show their Technical Safety BC licence number on all digital and print advertising, and anyone can check a licence in its online Find a Licensed Contractor tool.
Technical Safety BC lists connecting permanently installed electrical equipment such as a heat pump as work needing a homeowner electrical permit. Owners of a strata or non-strata duplex, and those running a business from home, cannot get homeowner permits and must hire a licensed contractor.
BC Hydro's report on the December 20 windstorm says more than 750,000 customers lost power, and nearly 350,000 (about 80 per cent of customers) were on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. It also notes the 2006 windstorm hit Vancouver Island.
Before you hire
A generator wired into your home needs an approved transfer switch, fitted under a permit, so it can’t feed power back into the lines. Plan it before you buy.
Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.
Put it in a written contract: the work, price, deposit, start and finish dates, warranty, permits and clean-up. Paying cash to skip it leaves you no recourse.