Handyman vs Licensed Electrician: What’s the Real Difference?
Homeowners ask this all the time — usually right after getting two wildly different quotes for the same job. One comes from a licensed electrical contractor. The other comes from a handyman.
On the surface, both seem like they “do electrical work.”
But once you understand the legal, safety, and insurance differences in Ontario, the gap between the two becomes massive.
This article isn’t about knocking handymen. Plenty of them are great at what they do.
But electrical work is a different animal — and here’s what homeowners really need to know.
1. In Ontario, a Handyman Cannot Legally Perform Electrical Work
This is the part most homeowners don’t realize.
Under Ontario law (Electrical Safety Authority/ESA), any electrical work outside of plugging something into the wall must be done by:
A Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC),
Homeowner or family member replacing a like for like electrical device,
And a Notification of Work (permit) when required.
A handyman cannot legally:
Replace or install receptacles
Replace or install light switches
Install new pot lights
Replace a panel
Run a new circuit
Install an EV charger
Fix wiring issues
Move electrical devices
Install or modify aluminum wiring connections
If they do, it’s technically illegal electrical work.
That’s not opinion — that’s ESA’s rule.
2. Home Insurance Can Deny Claims if Electrical Work Wasn’t Done by an LEC
This is where the real homeowner risk comes in.
If there’s ever an electrical fire or damage, the insurance company can (and often does) ask:
“Was the work performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor?”
If the answer is no:
Insurance has the right to deny the claim.
Because from their perspective:
No permit
No inspection
No licensing
= No accountability
A handyman simply can’t provide what insurance companies expect.
3. The Safety Difference Is Night and Day
Electrical systems are not forgiving.
A mistake in tiling or drywall means you redo the patch.
A mistake with electricity can mean:
Shock
Fire
Melted wiring
Overloaded circuits
Hidden risks inside walls
Licensed electricians go through:
5 years of apprenticeship
9,000+ working hours
Licensing exams
Regular code updates
Mandatory training
Permit and inspection oversight
Handymen are not trained or certified on:
Electrical code
Load calculations
Aluminum wiring
Grounding/bonding
GFCI/AFCI requirements
Panel specifications
Proper wire sizing
Future home resale compliance
Not because they don’t care — but because they aren’t trained to.
4. Cost: Why Handyman Prices Look Cheaper (But Often Aren’t)
Handymen typically offer lower upfront pricing because:
They don’t carry electrical licensing
They don’t pull permits
They don’t pay ESA fees
They don’t maintain commercial liability insurance
They don’t run fully stocked service vehicles
They don’t offer real warranties
They aren’t accountable to the ESA or Ministry of Labour
But here’s the catch:
If the job fails inspection later, or causes damage, the homeowner pays twice: once to the handyman, and once to an electrician to redo the work.
You’re also paying with:
More risk
No warranty
No inspection
No documentation
And if a problem shows up when you sell your home?
The buyer’s home inspector will flag illegal electrical work.
5. When a Handyman Is a Good Fit
Not everything requires a licensed electrician.
A handyman is perfect for:
Drywall repairs
Caulking
Minor carpentry
Trim installation
Painting
Fence/post repair
Small home maintenance jobs
And occasionally, they can assist electricians by handling the non-electrical portions of a project (patching drywall after the wiring work is done, for example).
But when it comes to the electrical itself — Ontario law is very clear.
6. The Real Question Homeowners Should Ask
Instead of asking:
“Who is cheaper?”
Ask:
“Who is legally allowed, trained, and insured to do this work in Ontario?”
You’ll find the answer is obvious.
7. Local Context for Whitby & the Durham Region
In the Durham Region, the ESA regularly performs audits and inspections on illegal electrical work. Many of the issues they find come from jobs that started with a handyman — not because the handyman meant harm, but because they were working outside the scope of what the law allows.
Homeowners across Whitby, Oshawa, Ajax, Brooklin, and surrounding areas are often surprised to learn how strict Ontario’s requirements are — but once they understand them, they make better decisions for their home and safety.
Final Thoughts
Electrical work isn’t just a “you get what you pay for” situation.
It’s a you get what’s safe, legal, and insurable situation.
Handymen have their place — but electrical isn’t it.
A licensed electrical contractor gives homeowners:
Peace of mind
Proper permitting
Insurance protection
Professional accountability
Work that meets Ontario electrical code
It’s not about price — it’s about protection.
