How long does it take to get an ESA inspection after my electrician finishes the work?

After your electrician notifies the ESA that work is complete, you can typically expect an inspection within 3 to 7 business days, though during peak season it can stretch to two weeks or more. The timeline depends on how busy the ESA's inspection schedule is in your region of the GTA, and summer months — when renovation activity spikes across Toronto — tend to have the longest wait times.

The process works like this: your licensed electrician completes the permitted work, then submits a "notification of completion" to the ESA, either online through their contractor portal or by phone. The ESA then schedules an inspector to visit your property. You or someone over 18 needs to be home during the inspection window, and the electrician should ideally be available by phone in case the inspector has questions about the installation. Most residential inspections take 30 to 60 minutes depending on the scope of work — a simple outlet circuit addition is quicker than a full panel upgrade or rewire.

If the inspector finds deficiencies, your electrician will receive a deficiency notice outlining exactly what needs to be corrected. Common deficiencies in GTA homes include improper box fill calculations, missing anti-short bushings on AC90 cable entries, inadequate bonding at the panel, or AFCI protection not installed where the Ontario Electrical Safety Code requires it. Your electrician corrects the issues and requests a re-inspection. The re-inspection typically comes faster than the initial visit — often within a few business days — because the ESA prioritizes clearing open permits. There is usually no additional fee for the first re-inspection, but repeated failures can incur charges in the $50 to $100 range.

Once the work passes inspection, the ESA issues a Certificate of Inspection. This document is critically important — keep it permanently with your home records. You will need it if you sell your home, if you file an insurance claim related to electrical systems, or if future electrical work is done and the electrician needs to understand what was previously permitted. Many Toronto real estate lawyers now specifically ask for ESA certificates during the closing process, and missing certificates on recent electrical work can delay or complicate a sale.

One practical tip: if your project is time-sensitive — for instance, you need the inspection to pass before drywall goes up during a renovation — have your electrician communicate this to the ESA when submitting the notification. The ESA does accommodate construction schedules when possible, and your electrician's relationship with the local inspection office can help expedite things. If you need help finding a licensed electrician who handles ESA permits and inspections as part of their service, Toronto Electrical Repair can match you with local professionals through the Toronto Construction Network.