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Phase One Consulting Services is based out of Duncan and covers the entire Cowichan Valley area

See Electrical Inspection link for fees".

Locally owned and operated since 2007.

Handyman Nightmares

A recent survey conducted by the B.C. Safety Authority (the regulatory agency for electrical in British Columbia and Ken’s past employer), in conjunction with their awareness pilot project in the interior, came to some startling conclusions. Most of these findings did not surprise some of us in the electrical field. One finding was that a large segment of the public was unaware that electrical installations are regulated under the Electrical Safety Act and Regulations of British Columbia, and that permits are required in pretty much all aspects of changes or additions, regardless of how minor.

The survey also concluded that there are still a lot of what is referred to as ‘handyman’ installations taking place and that these are very much safety risks that could, and sometimes do, create fire and shock incidents. The B.C. Safety Authority (www.safetyauthority.ca) is now proceeding with a public safety awareness campaign across the province. Residential and Commercial owners need to be aware that a qualified Electrical Contractor must complete all electrical installations, under a permit, to provide a legal installation.

Incidents that may occur from a ‘handyman’ job could make your insurance claim invalid.

Most importantly, the potential safety risk to you and your family should be of great concern. There are a large number of these ‘handyman’ jobs in existence and it is not a matter of if they could fail, it is sometimes a matter of when. In Ken’s past position as an Electrical Safety Inspector he was privy to installations that would make your hair stand on end, and they were just the tip of the iceberg. Those were the lucky ones that we were able to ‘make safe’. Just for fun, go to the local Home Depot store and stand at the cashiers. Watch the thousands of dollars of electrical equipment being purchased. We were given the information that over 90% of that material is being installed by unqualified people, without a permit and subsequent inspection process. It is not up to Home Depot, or any other public store selling electrical materials, to police this and therefore the B.C.S.A. awareness campaign. The estimates of unsafe installations vary, but all agree the numbers are significantly high and totally unacceptable.