What happens if I fail an ESA inspection?

Failing an ESA inspection is not the end of the world — it's a normal part of the process, and your electrician is responsible for making it right.

When an ESA inspector visits your property and finds code deficiencies, they issue a Notice of Deficiency (sometimes called a "defect notice"). This document lists every item that doesn't meet the Ontario Electrical Safety Code and must be corrected before the work can be approved. Your licensed electrician receives this notice and is required to address every item on it.

Once the corrections are made, your electrician requests a re-inspection. The ESA inspector returns to verify that all deficiencies have been resolved. There's typically a re-inspection fee involved, and depending on the scope of the deficiencies, this process can add a few days to a couple of weeks to your project timeline. If everything checks out on the second visit, you receive your Certificate of Inspection, which is the document that officially closes out the permit.

Who pays for the re-inspection and corrections? This depends on the situation. If the deficiency is due to your electrician's workmanship or a code error on their part, a reputable contractor will cover the cost of corrections and re-inspection without charging you extra. If the deficiency arose from something outside the electrician's control — like pre-existing conditions in your home — that conversation is worth having upfront. Always clarify this with your contractor before work begins.

What if deficiencies aren't corrected? The ESA takes this seriously. Unresolved deficiencies can result in the ESA ordering that power be disconnected to the affected circuits or equipment. In rare cases of serious safety hazards, they have authority to require immediate action. This is why hiring a licensed, experienced electrician matters — they should know the code well enough to pass inspection the first time, or at minimum, resolve any issues quickly.

From a practical standpoint, most inspections pass without issue when the work is done by a qualified contractor. Minor deficiencies — a missing label, a connector not fully seated — are common and easy to fix. Major deficiencies are rare with experienced electricians but do happen, particularly on complex jobs or older homes where unexpected conditions arise.

If you're planning electrical work and want to avoid inspection headaches, the best protection is choosing an ESA-licensed contractor with a solid local track record. Electrical Ottawa's electricians are familiar with Ottawa-area inspectors and current OESC requirements, which means fewer surprises at inspection time. For a free consultation on your project, feel free to reach out.