The process of becoming a master of anything is long and difficult, and this is just as true for master electricians. The well-known saying that “it takes 1000 hours to become a master” is popular for a reason. Devoting yourself to a skill or trade is a full-time commitment that should be undertaken with full knowledge of the required dedication and commitment.

For master electricians, the process begins with an apprenticeship. We look at the full process for becoming a master in this trade, for Alberta, down below:

Start to Finish: Becoming a Master Electrician

Apprenticeship

The electrician apprenticeship program is four years in length and must include a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training for the first three years. Additionally, there are technical training requirements, which consist of eight weeks of training for the first three years. Each of the four years is divided into a 12-month period, and special rules apply to the final (fourth) period.

These additional rules state that a minimum of 1,440 hours and 12 weeks of training must be completed in the fourth year. Further, individuals may challenge the interprovincial exam during this period and be granted their red seal.

Journeymanship

You must complete at least three years of work experience as a journeyman electrician before you can obtain a master electrician certification. There may be breaks in your work experience during this time, but only for the last five years.

Examination

After meeting the prerequisite work experience requirements, potential masters can challenge the Master Electrician Exam, which is administered by the Safety Codes Council. To succeed at this exam, applicants must score at least a 75% average and no less than 60% on either part of the exam.

Work with a Master Electrician Today

Whether you are looking for information about the rigours of being a master electrician or looking for the services of one, contact us today. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can answer your questions and provide helpful information. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

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.

We all know what winters in Calgary are like; cold, long and hard. Yet, every year we band together to scrape off our cars, shovel our walks and endure the short and icy days. It is our resilience that makes us persevere, but it is our ingenuity that truly makes this time of year bearable.

As humans are tool-users by nature, we all have quite a collection of implements to help insulate and clear our home from the winter’s harsh grasp. From spring-loaded shovels and solid metal ice chisels to snow blowers and ice melt, the solutions available to us are more plentiful than ever. Now, with the help of residential electricians, there is a new tool to help us protect our home better than before.

Garage Heaters, Roof Heat Tracing and How They Help You

Garage Heaters

Your garage is an important part of your home, and depending on your lifestyle, you may spend more time in it than you would like to admit. Although this is already a fantastic reason for you to employ the service of a residential electrician, in the winter, the benefits really begin to bear their fruit.

Garage heaters can help keep snow and ice from accumulating around the door entrance, and they also prevent your home from shifting and shrinking in extremely cold temperatures. Plus, for those of us who use our garages to park vehicles, there is no better feeling than entering a warm car from a warm garage to escape the bitter clutches of the cold.

Forced Air Natural Gas Ceiling Mounted Garage Heater

Roof Heat Tracing

Heat tracing has become a more popular technology in recent years. These small metal bands are easy to install, discrete and more than a little helpful in winter. Currently, we are installing heat tracing on various roofs around Calgary to help in the impending snow dump.

These devices help prevent ice dams in eavestroughs and give the undercurrent of melting water a reliable path that prevents icicles and other snow-related damage from occurring on your roof.

The Residential Electrician for You

At Colz Electric, we provide superior service for all of your electrical needs. This includes the installation of garage heaters, roof heat tracing, upgrades to legacy electrical systems and more. Simply give us a call or reach out through our website, and we will be happy to answer your questions and provide further information. Stay warm!

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

An electrician performs many functions related to ordinary household electricity. However, they also perform similar tasks for businesses and corporations. Furthermore, the functions that a journeyman electrician performs will also differ from those of a master electrician. Understanding these differences is an integral part of the career of an electrician, and you can find out more about them just down below.

Core Functions of Calgary Electricians

One of the main functions of an electrician is performing maintenance. Sometimes, you might have an issue with your electrical box not working correctly, or you may want to install additional outlets in your home. It is during these times that you will require the services of an electrician.

Additionally, master electricians are an integral part of new building construction. As master electricians are the only people capable of requesting work permits, they must be present at job sites and capable of performing new electrical installations. The same rules apply if you are seeking an addition to a building, such as a detached garage or lighted shed.

Portrait of smiling young technician woman in factory

A third function of electricians is the upgrading of electrical systems in older homes or buildings. Naturally, as our societies advance, our regulations and standards change, and electrical components are a significant part of these innovations. As well, electrical systems can degrade over time. They may pose a hazard if not addressed in a reasonable amount of time. As a result, you may wish for an electrician to come and upgrade your electrical box, replace wiring, or install new outlets, among other things.

Finally, there are many niche services that electricians may perform. These services range quite a bit, from solar panel installation to home automation services. Or, from data cabling to security system installation. Each of these requires specialized training and dedication to making the project turn out well.

Ultimately, you can consider anything electrical as a part of the duties of an electrician or master electrician.

Where to Find Your Calgary Electrician

Finding a certified and capable electrician in Calgary is not overly complicated. Of course, Colz Electric will perform any of the functions described above, and with friendly and hospitable service. It is as simple as picking up the phone and dialling the number.

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.