Commercial Electrical Services in Ottawa

We handle office fit-outs, retail electrical including specialty lighting, restaurant equipment wiring, tenant improvements, panel upgrades, emergency lighting installation, data room power, and general commercial service work. In downtown Ottawa, we've worked extensively in heritage buildings where access is limited and panel capacity is often undersized. Kanata and Nepean office spaces frequently need high-capacity circuits for server infrastructure and HVAC equipment. Retail spaces in the Glebe and Westboro often require flexible power distribution that allows for layout changes. We also complete fluorescent to LED upgrades, which reduce operating costs and improve light quality. If an ESA permit is needed, we handle it. Every installation is backed by our one-year installation guarantee.

Office fit-outs typically run $2.50 to $4.50 per square foot depending on outlet density, lighting requirements, and whether dedicated circuits are needed for equipment. Retail spaces with specialty lighting and flexible power distribution usually run $4.00 to $7.50 per square foot. Costs vary based on the condition of the existing service, whether a panel upgrade is required, and the complexity of the layout. In older downtown Ottawa buildings, limited panel capacity often requires an upgrade before new circuits can be added, which increases total project cost. We give you a written price after assessing the job, before any work starts.

We schedule work to minimise disruption to your operations. Evening and weekend work is available for projects where daytime access would interfere with business. Some installations require temporary power shutdowns, which we coordinate with you in advance and complete as quickly as possible. For larger projects in occupied buildings, we stage the work so only one area is affected at a time. Many Ottawa businesses prefer electrical work completed outside regular hours, particularly in retail and hospitality. We've completed full restaurant fit-outs, office upgrades, and retail lighting installations with minimal impact on daily operations by working evenings and weekends.

Most commercial electrical work in Ontario requires an ESA permit and inspection. The ESA enforces electrical code compliance for all commercial installations. We handle the permit application, complete the work to code, and organise the inspection on your behalf. The inspector checks connections, verifies grounding, and confirms the installation meets current code requirements. In Ottawa's commercial buildings, inspectors often focus on proper labelling, adequate support for conduit and junction boxes, and correct wire sizing for the load. If an inspection is required for your project, we manage the entire process. You don't need to contact the ESA directly.

We complete full tenant improvement electrical work including new panel installation or upgrades, circuit planning and installation, lighting design and installation, outlet and switch placement, dedicated circuits for equipment, data room power, and emergency lighting. Ottawa office spaces often need a mix of general lighting circuits, dedicated outlets for workstations, and high-capacity circuits for server rooms or HVAC equipment. Retail tenant improvements typically require flexible power distribution that allows displays and fixtures to be reconfigured without rewiring. We work with your contractor or directly with you to coordinate timing, handle the ESA permit, complete the installation to code, and organise the inspection. Timeline is typically one to three weeks depending on square footage and complexity.

We handle all commercial lighting work including new installations, replacements, and fluorescent to LED conversions. LED upgrades reduce energy costs significantly and improve light quality in retail and office spaces. Many Ottawa commercial buildings still have T8 or T12 fluorescent fixtures installed in the 1990s or earlier. Converting these to LED typically reduces lighting energy consumption by 50 to 70 percent. We assess your existing lighting, recommend suitable LED replacements, handle the installation, and dispose of old fixtures properly. Some LED conversions require circuit modifications if the existing ballasts are incompatible. We identify this during assessment and include it in the project scope.

Lead time depends on project size and schedule. Small jobs like adding circuits or replacing fixtures can often be scheduled within a week. Larger projects like full tenant improvements or office fit-outs typically need two to three weeks' notice to coordinate with your timeline and arrange ESA permits. If you need work completed by a specific date, we factor that into scheduling. Rush projects are possible depending on current workload. In Ottawa's commercial market, late summer and early autumn are the busiest periods for tenant improvements and office moves. Earlier scheduling during these periods helps ensure we can meet your preferred dates.

We handle commercial emergency calls 24/7 including power failures, tripped breakers that won't reset, burning smells from outlets or panels, and equipment that won't power on. Emergency call fees start at $150 to $250 depending on complexity and time of day. If your business has lost power or an electrical issue is preventing operations, call us directly. We prioritise commercial emergency calls where the issue affects your ability to operate. In Ottawa, Hydro Ottawa handles utility-side power issues. If the problem is on your side of the meter, we can diagnose and repair it. Our emergency line is answered by an electrician, not a call centre.