Alternative CurrentDESIGN COMPANY

Common questions

Is the ESA permit included in my quote?

Yes. Every quote includes the ESA permit and inspection fees, so there’s no separate charge later. We file the permit before work starts and book the inspections for you.

Do small jobs like pot lights need a permit?

In Ontario, most electrical work has to be filed with the Electrical Safety Authority, including pot lights, new circuits and panel changes. We take care of the filing and the inspection.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Alternative Current Design Company Inc. is a licensed electrical contractor (ECRA/ESA Licence #7018438) and fully insured. Every job is led by a licensed Master Electrician.

Do you supply the fixtures and devices?

You can supply your own fixtures, fans and devices, or we can supply them for you. Your quote spells out exactly what’s included, so you know what to buy and what we’re bringing.

How does payment work?

The job is paid in two payments. All of the material and 60% of the labour are due before we order material. The remaining 40% of the labour is due once the ESA final inspection has passed. We accept e-Transfer or certified cheque.

What if you find a problem once work starts?

Your quote is based on what we can see when we look at the job. If opening a wall uncovers a hidden problem, we stop, explain it and give you a price in writing. Nothing extra goes ahead without your approval.

How long is my quote good for?

Every quote is open for 30 days from the date on it.

Can you work with my builder or contractor?

Yes. We schedule rough-in and finish around your builder’s or contractor’s timeline and keep everyone updated on inspections.

Can you add smart lighting to my existing home?

Usually, yes. Lutron’s wireless systems replace your existing switches and dimmers, so most homes don’t need walls opened. We’ll confirm what your home needs when we quote.

Custom electrical work, done properly and finished to last.

A small, family-run electrical contractor for homeowners, renovators and builders. One team handles your lighting, generators, panels and services, with ESA sign-off on every job.

  • Licensed and insured
  • Local and family-owned
  • Certified Lutron installers
  • ESA permit included in every quote
Recent lighting project by Alternative Current Design Company

What we do

Planned with you. Wired to last.

Every job starts with a conversation. We walk the space with you, learn how you’ll use it, and suggest options you may not have considered, like better switch locations or which lights belong on a dimmer. Your written quote includes the ESA permit and inspections, and anything hidden we find once the walls are open is priced and approved by you before we continue.

From a few pot lights to a custom home with Lutron lighting control, the same licensed team plans the work, does it and stands behind it. We show up when we say we will, protect your finishes and clean up before we leave. We treat your home like our own.

Smart home and lighting control

Lutron · certified installers

Control every light from a keypad, your phone or a schedule. As certified Lutron installers, we size the system to your home and budget, whether that’s a handful of smart dimmers or the whole house, and program it around how you live: scenes for dinner or movie night, lights that follow sunrise and sunset, and one button that shuts everything off at bedtime.

  • Lutron Caséta, RadioRA 3 and HomeWorks systems, designed, installed and programmed
  • Personalized scenes, schedules and engraved keypads
  • Control from your phone or voice assistant, at home or away
  • Wireless options for existing homes, wired options for new builds

Renovations and additions

Kitchens · basements · EV chargers · hot tubs

Your renovation is personal, and the electrical should suit how you plan to live in the space. We walk through the plans with you or your contractor, recommend where lighting and outlets will serve you best, and schedule our rough-in and finish around the other trades. If you’re adding a large load such as an EV charger or hot tub, we confirm your panel can support it before any work begins.

  • Kitchens, bathrooms and basements
  • Additions, garages and workshops
  • EV chargers
  • GFCI-protected hot tub installs
  • Generator transfer switches and exterior inlets

Custom homes

New builds · planned with your builder

Full electrical for new homes, handled by one team through every stage of the build. We help you lay out lighting, switching and outlets before the framing goes up, then coordinate the service connection with the utility so your move-in date stays on track.

  • Lighting and device layouts reviewed with you
  • Temporary and permanent services, overhead or underground
  • Hydro One applications and coordination
  • Smart lighting and data wiring planned in from the start

Panel and service upgrades

Panel upgrades · sub-panels

Older panels and undersized services limit what your home can run, and some are flagged by insurance companies. We replace outdated equipment, add capacity for new loads like EV chargers and heat pumps, and handle the utility side so the switch-over is quick and planned.

  • Panel replacements, including older Stab-Lok panels
  • Panel and service upgrades
  • Sub-panels for garages, additions and outbuildings
  • Panel inspections with written reports for insurance

Commercial electrical

Storefronts · restaurants · retrofits

We retrofit storefronts, restaurants and other commercial spaces with modern, efficient electrical systems planned around your business. We schedule the work to keep disruption low and keep you updated at every stage.

  • Tenant fit-outs and renovations
  • LED lighting upgrades

Recent work

Clean installs you'll be glad to look at.

Request a quote

Tell us about the job. Photos help a lot.

Send the details and a few pictures, and we’ll come back with a rough price or the questions we need answered first. Rather talk it through? Call 519-808-8900.

Your contact info
The job site
What do you need?
Type of work · pick any that apply
Photos · up to 6, optional
  • Your panel, door open so the breakers and labels show
  • The work area, from far enough back to see the whole space
  • Anything existing to replace or move: fixtures, outlets, the meter

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