Like anything in your house, electrical panels have a lifespan of their own. In due time, it needs to be upgraded or replaced to ensure that your home still runs as expected while guaranteeing that your house is safe against electrical fires.

What does it cost to replace or upgrade your electrical panel in Calgary? We break down the factors that impact the cost while offering insight into the final figures.

What Affects The Cost of Replacing Electrical Panels in Calgary?

Multiple factors can impact the final cost of your electrical panels, including:

The Type of Circuit Breaker – There are two distinct types of circuit breakers: Single and Double Pole. Each has its own volts system, which can determine how much energy it can produce to support your home. Depending on your electrical output, you will have to decide on which breaker works for you.
The Brand of the Electrical Panel – The better the brand, the more you’ll have to pay for it. Manufacturers such as Square D, General Electric, Siemens and Leviton might be more on the costly side but will guarantee you years of quality and protection.
Upgrading to Higher Amps – Upgrading an electrical panel to support more power might be required to ensure your home system works as expected. Like the circuit breaker, you have to consider the number of amps needed to support your household.

Residential Circuit Breaker Panel with Service Writing

Moving the Electrical Panel – If you plan to move the electrical panel, it will cost you more in labour costs and wiring, as it means you’ll have to shift the focus of your power source. You can choose between indoor and outdoor panel boxes.
The Labour Costs – The type of system you install, coupled with your current model’s outlay, will impact the amount of work the Calgary electrician has to do. The more work they have to do, the more it will cost you.

What Are The Advantages to Electrical Panel Upgrades?

Opting for replacing or upgrading your electrical panels in Calgary means more power in your home with the ability to run all appliances and electronics safely while increasing the safety and value of your property. You will also be able to reduce the number of electrical repairs you need for your home, saving you money and time.

The Cost of Electrical Panel Replacement in Calgary

According to Home Advisor, “the cost to replace an electrical panel averages $1,140, with a typical range of $496 and $1,786”.

Home Guide offers similar prices, stating that “the average cost to replace an electrical panel ranges from $850 to $2,500 depending on the amperage,” noting that “a service panel upgrade to 100 amps costs $850 to $1,600, a 200-amp breaker box replacement costs $1,800 to $2,500, and a 400-amp electrical service upgrade costs $2,000 to $4,000.”

Contacting our Calgary electricians can ensure that you get a hard figure on the cost of electrical panels upgrades in Calgary.

Colz Electric is the master electrician that you can trust. Our team of highly trained Calgary electricians has all the hands-on skills and experience required to handle all types of residential and commercial jobs. With 24-hour service, we are ready to come out to your home or business for Calgary electrical services or urgent after-hours electrical needs. Our professional results, client trust and superb value showcase our commitment to providing our customers with 100% satisfaction. Speak to one of our Calgary electricians at 403-770-3030.

Notice that your lights are flickering, your panel is struggling, or your electricity isn’t operating as it should be? Don’t know why it’s happening? Let’s drop a little spoiler for you: it might be the cold weather…

Can the cold weather cause electrical problems?

In the short answer, yes, extremely cold weather can instigate plenty of electrical problems for homeowners and businesses.

There is no need to panic. In fact, during the winter months, such is the commonality of electrical problems, most people assume that it’s the cold weather.

However, in many situations, these problems are not due to the cold but other issues. They are merely exacerbated during the cold, as it triggers them.

Let’s take a look at the common electrical problems that can happen during winter and how you prepare your home for it.

Electrical Repairs For Your Cold-Infused Problems

Tripping Circuit Breakers & Power Outages

The cold weather can wreak havoc on your electrical panel, particularly with the overuse of energy through heaters and general electrical use. Therefore, the large emphasis on these kinds of devices will put your system on edge. In turn, this results in breaker trips and flickering lights.

How to get around this problem? Electric panel upgrades or installing a home generator can prove beneficial, safeguarding your home against any tripped breakers. You should also schedule electrical maintenance to ensure your system is ready for the winter.

(Learn the Cost to Upgrading Electrical Panels here)

Out of Date Equipment

Old and heavily used equipment can be problematic for your electrical system. Everything from space heaters to electric blankets can put too much pressure on your system, resulting in it crashing later on. This is due to most of these older items being incompatible with modern homes.

As a precaution, you should remove all old, used equipment from your home (anything more than five years) and get your system checked regularly to avoid an electrical fire.

Static Electricity

A charge imbalance in dry materials (such as wires) can result in static electricity, ultimately making it dangerous in certain conditions.

If you suspect a damaged or unmonitored electrical current or flammable substance near your system, either buy a humidifier to prevent it or get professional electric repairs in Calgary to prevent fires.

(Want to know “How to Prevent Snow & Ice Buildup on Your Home”? Read this!)

Frayed Wires

Frayed wires can be problematic any time of year but become noticeable during the wintertime. Harsh elements such as snow and ice can do major damage to wiring if it isn’t properly maintained.

If they are left too long unnoticed, they risk catching fire, putting your home and lives at risk. Therefore, it is important to ensure that all wires are clean with no opening, and most importantly, are in perfect working condition.

Hire A Calgary Electrician To Prepare Yourself

The best way to prepare your electrical systems for winter is simple: hire a qualified Calgary electrician. Only with an expert pair of eyes to evaluate your systems can you determine whether or not you need extensive repairs or minor adjustments. They’ll also prevent potential problems occurring in the winter if these safeguards are put in place.

Maintain and enjoy a comfortable home throughout the winter season by taking proactive measures with a professional.

When it comes to electrical wires, nothing lasts forever. Eventually, you will need to rewire your home to maintain the quality of your electrical systems. Whether you are remodelling your home, require electrical renovations, or want to improve your property’s safety, it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your wiring.

Understanding the costs of the rewiring project then is essential. People are shocked to see the price when the work starts and are unwilling to undergo the changes. But if they were provided with the right information – and the reasons for it – they could see why it is a worthwhile investment.

What Affects the Cost of Rewiring?

The Square Footage of the Home

This shouldn’t be a surprise: the larger the home is, the more the rewiring job will cost. As the remodelling will require more materials and work to be completed, the price to the labour will raise the overall cost.

Methods Used to Access Wiring

Depending on the process in which you rewire your home, it will impact the cost of the project. One option, such as removing the drywall to access the wires, can be expensive and time-consuming. Making strategic cuts and fishing for the cables is a cost-effective alternative. You will have to speak to a Calgary electrician to determine what method is best for your home.

The Quality of the New Materials

Wiring is also a factor that can enhance the cost of the project. As with all electrical repairs in Calgary, the quality you choose does affect the price. For wiring, it is advisable to use high-quality materials that can support a wide range of appliances.

electrician at work with tools, puts the bulbs on a lamp at home, electric circuits, electrical wiring

The Calgary Electrician

The labour costs and the rates of Calgary electricians will affect the rewiring price in your home. The more experienced and better the professional, the more likely they will charge for their work, as they will guarantee results and value. Make sure that you do your research and that the electrician you bring in has experience doing rewiring and electric renovations. It can save you money in the long-term.

How Much Does it Cost to Rewire A House?

On average, the cost to rewire a 1,200 square feet house is at least $10,000 for a new home and as much as $30,000 for an old house. It, once again, depends on the factors above and how they impact the process and project. You should conduct research and speak to different Calgary electricians to find a price that suits your budget.

Colz Electric is the master electrician that you can trust. Our team of highly trained Calgary electricians has all the hands-on skills and experience required to handle all types of residential and commercial jobs. With 24-hour service, we are ready to come out to your home, or business for Calgary electrical services, or urgent after-hours electrical needs. Our professional results, as well as trust and value, is how we can provide our customers with 100% satisfaction. Please speak to one of our Calgary electricians at 403-770-3030

If you are looking to upgrade your electrical panel through the help of Calgary electrical services, you should understand the reasons and costs associated with this activity. Of course, it is equally likely that if you are currently searching for this service, it is because you know why you should seek an upgrade, but what about those who don’t know whether or not they need an electrical panel upgrade?

For people who don’t know why they need an upgrade, there are many reasons for you to seek one. For instance, Calgary electrical services are continually changing, and older homes may have outdated or potentially dangerous fuse boxes. However, this is not the only reason that an electrical panel upgrade is necessary…

Reasons to Upgrade Your Calgary Electrical Panel

Fuse-to-Breaker

One of the more common reasons that people seek an upgrade for their electrical panels is to transition from fuses to breakers. Many people prefer the breaker system because it doesn’t require replacement parts, as opposed to fuses that will break when overloaded and must be replaced, and therefore kept in stock around your home. A licensed electrician can complete this change with the appropriate permits.

This type of upgrade will be more expensive than the others listed here. Typically, the cost will range between $1,500-$2,000, but it will depend on the number of circuits requiring the change and a variety of other factors.

Increased Amperage

Another popular reason for electrical panel upgrades is due to a desire for an increase in the amperage. For instance, if you are residing at an older home and the amperage is designated to 100 amps, you may have trouble running modern appliances such as central vacuums, computers, or others. Plus, some appliances require unique voltage outlets and additional electrical draw to function correctly, and if there is not enough amperage for them to work, you could face serious inconvenience. Usually, these outlets are installed during the building of your home, but if you want to renovate or move those locations, it may be necessary to upgrade your electrical panel at the same time.

In general, this type of upgrade will have a varied cost. Depending on the increase to your amperage, the price can rise from $1,300 for 200 amps up to $4,000 for 400 amps.

Moving the Panel

Some people may wish to move their electrical panel from its current position. For instance, if they are going through basement renovations and want to put a new room in the current location of the panel, or if they are worried about potential flooding and wish to raise the panel out of the danger zone.

This type of panel upgrade will typically range in cost from $1,500 to $2,000, but it will depend on the distance the panel moves and the amount of rewiring that is required.

Talk to the Calgary Electrical Service Experts

For more complete information related to your electrical panel, or to get a quote, you should seek the advice of a master electrician. They are the only electricians who can get permits for changes to electrical systems, and will be able to advise you on the proper steps and costs for your situation.

Colz Electric is the master electrician that you can trust. Our team of highly trained Calgary electricians has all the hands-on skills and experience required to handle all types of residential and commercial jobs. With 24-hour service, we are ready to come out to your home, or business for Calgary electrical services, or urgent after-hours electrical needs. Our professional results, as well as trust and value, is how we can provide our customers with 100% satisfaction. Please speak to one of our Calgary electricians at 403-770-3030.

A Calgary electrician can offer many benefits to your home or business. Not the least of which is the ability to add electrical outlets and rewire existing ones with ease. Of course, another major benefit of master electricians, in particular, is the ability to get permits for electrical work during construction projects or renovations.

However, Calgary electricians are considered among the big 3 trades. Along with carpenters and plumbers, electricians are some of the highest-paid tradespeople, and they have the availability of work that seems never-ending.

This can be concerning for some, as it gives electricians the ability to set their hourly rate however they feel is necessary, based on an industry average. However, it should not concern you overly, as electricians are qualified professionals who take pride in their work, and in offering affordable rates that people will enjoy. After all, repeat business is the best business.

Steps to Hiring a Calgary Electrician

Therefore, if you are looking for a Calgary electrician the first step you should take is doing research. Look the prospective company up on Google and see how their customers review them and take some time to browse through their gallery of completed projects so you can better understand what type of work they are accustomed to doing.

This step does a good job of narrowing down your choices as companies that don’t have a good grasp on customer service will be immediately noticeable on their review page. Similarly, if they do not have a gallery of completed work, it is a strong indication that they don’t value the work they perform, and both of these should be selected out.

Next, assemble a shortlist of 3-5 prospective companies, and call for a quote. Most of the time they will be able to provide you with a rough estimate of the cost over the phone, and you can get an even better feel for the company by speaking with a representative.

Just remember the tips above, and take your time selecting the right company. This will help you choose someone who will not leave you with regrets, and give confidence to your project being completed successfully and quickly.

Colz Electric is the master electrician that you can trust. Our team of highly trained Calgary electricians has all the hands-on skills and experience required to handle all types of residential and commercial jobs. With 24-hour service, we are ready to come out to your home, or business for Calgary electrical services, or urgent after-hours electrical needs. Our professional results, as well as trust and value, is how we can provide our customers with 100% satisfaction. Speak to one of our Calgary electricians at 403-770-3030.

A master electrician is the only person who is certified to have electric permits in Alberta. They have proven themselves through a rigorous tradesperson training program and received certification to perform electrical work unsupervised and professionally.

The Master Electrician Program

A master electrician is subject to the same process as all other certified trades in Alberta. This means they begin as an apprentice and must complete the mandatory training and work experience to gain their journeyman certification. The term of apprenticeship for an electrician is 4 years including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training in each of the first three years, and a minimum of 1350 hours of on-the-job (OTJ) training and 12 weeks of technical training in the fourth year.

After completion of the training described above, they will be certified as a journeyman electrician. From there, another 3 years of work experience in an electrician-related field will be required, at which point they are eligible to challenge the master electrician test. This requires no extra formal training, but it is strongly recommended. There is, roughly, an 85% failure rate for journeyman electricians who challenge the master electrician exam without engaging in further vocational training.

This training is offered by both technical institutions in Alberta, NAIT and SAIT. While this extra training is not required, the exam is intended to ensure that candidates wishing to be certified as master electricians are capable and able to perform the duties of their profession. Therefore, only the best qualified and most capable electricians are admitted into the master electrician program.

Why Choose a Master Electrician?

Due to the stringent requirements described above, you can feel assured that master electricians are qualified and capable of performing the work required. This should be reason enough to choose them when embarking on your next electrical project, but if not, there is another reason.

As the only people in Alberta capable of taking out electrical permits, they are required on any job site requiring electrical permits. This helps ensure people are not performing inadequate repairs to electrical systems which can be very dangerous and potentially costly when performed incorrectly. This also acts as a guarantee of their quality and professionalism so it is ultimately better, in the long run, to seek out qualified master electricians you can trust.

Colz Electric is the master electrician that you can trust. Our team of highly trained Calgary electricians has all the hands-on skills and experience required to handle all types of residential and commercial jobs. With 24-hour service, we are ready to come out to your home, or business for Calgary electrical services, or urgent after-hours electrical needs. Our professional results, as well as trust and value, is how we can provide our customers with 100% satisfaction. Speak to one of our Calgary electricians at 403-770-3030.