Notes from the field
The questions we answer on every site visit.
Written the way we'd explain it standing at your panel. No scare tactics, no upsells, just how this stuff works in BC.
September 14, 2026
What it takes to wire a hot tub in BC
A hot tub needs its own circuit, GFCI protection, a disconnect, bonding, and a permit. Here's what the electrical side involves, what usually drives the price, and why the panel is the first thing to check.
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September 6, 2026
Aluminum wiring in BC homes — what it means and what to do about it
Thousands of Metro Vancouver homes built between the mid-60s and late 70s have aluminum branch circuits. Here's what insurers actually ask, why the connections matter more than the wire, and your realistic options.
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August 31, 2026
Why does my breaker keep tripping?
A breaker that trips is doing its job. The question is what it's protecting you from. Here's how to tell an overloaded circuit from a real fault, and when resetting it stops being safe.
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August 24, 2026
Who pulls your electrical permit in BC — and why the answer changes by city
Some Metro Vancouver cities inspect their own electrical work; the rest go through Technical Safety BC. Here's why it matters, who does what, and why an unpermitted job costs you later.
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August 17, 2026
Wiring a basement or coach-house suite — the electrical side
A secondary suite is more than an extra kitchen. Here's what the electrical involves, why it often needs its own panel and metering, and when it tips your service into an upgrade.
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August 10, 2026
How many pot lights does a room actually need?
The answer is usually fewer than people think. How spacing works, why the room's use matters more than a fixed number, and how to avoid a ceiling full of holes.
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August 3, 2026
What a Level 2 EV charger install actually costs in BC
The price of a home charger install comes down to one thing more than any other. Here's what drives the cost, what a fair quote includes, and where the money actually goes.
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July 27, 2026
Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels — why insurers flag them
Two panel brands from decades past have a documented history of breakers that don't trip. Here's how to spot them, why insurance companies ask, and what to do if you have one.
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July 20, 2026
How many amps does my house actually need?
100, 200, or something bigger? How to tell what electrical service your home needs, why 200 amps became the default, and when you don't need to upsize at all.
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July 13, 2026
Do I need a panel upgrade to install an EV charger?
A Level 2 charger is a big load, but it doesn't automatically mean a 200-amp service. Here's how to tell whether your panel has room, and what to do when it doesn't.
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July 6, 2026
Service change vs. service upgrade — what's the difference?
The two terms get used interchangeably, but they mean different things to your electrician and to BC Hydro. Here's what actually separates a service change from a service upgrade.
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June 27, 2026
What a 200-amp panel upgrade actually costs in BC
The real price drivers behind a 100A-to-200A service upgrade in Metro Vancouver, a real price range, what a proper quote includes, and when you don't need the upgrade at all.
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June 18, 2026
EV charger rebates in BC: what the fine print means for your install
How BC Hydro and CleanBC home charger rebates actually work, why the permit matters for your claim, what your electrician needs to check first, and how to time your application.
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June 9, 2026
Knob-and-tube wiring: what it means for your insurance, your reno, and your house
How to recognize knob-and-tube, why insurers care about it, whether it's actually dangerous, how it ties into your panel, and how replacement really works in older BC homes.
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