Not every job at home needs a licence. Hanging a shelf does not. Running a new circuit, moving a gas line or replacing a drain stack does, and the difference matters more than most people realise until something goes wrong.
Which jobs need a licensed trade
In Ontario, three kinds of work are tightly regulated.
- Electrical. Anyone you pay to do electrical work must be a Licensed Electrical Contractor. The licence comes from the Electrical Safety Authority and shows as an ECRA/ESA number.
- Gas. Furnaces, gas water heaters, stoves and fireplaces must be worked on by a gas technician certified by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA).
- Plumbing, heating and renovation. The City of Toronto licenses plumbing contractors, heating contractors and building renovators.
What can go wrong without one
The obvious risk is bad work: a joint that leaks inside a wall, or a connection that overheats behind a switch plate. The less obvious risks are about money. An insurer may question a claim if the damage traces back to unlicensed work. A home inspector may flag it when you come to sell. And if someone without workplace insurance is hurt on your property, you can be drawn into the claim.
How to check in two minutes
- Ask for the licence number before the visit. A licensed trade gives it without any fuss.
- Look it up. The Electrical Safety Authority has a contractor search, and the City of Toronto has a business licence lookup. You can also call 311.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and WSIB coverage.
- Get the quote in writing, with the licence number on it.
Where a handyman fits
A good handyman is the right call for plenty of work: patching, hanging, assembling, adjusting doors and small carpentry. What a handyman should not do is open your electrical panel or touch a gas line. An honest one will tell you so before you ask.
How ServiceTo handles it
Every provider on ServiceTo is screened and background-checked before taking a job, and where the trade needs a licence we check it. When part of your request needs a licensed trade, that part goes to one. Send a request and ask us about the licence for your job. We are happy to tell you.