Temporary power · Toronto & GTA
Temporary construction power in Toronto and the GTA
Safe, permitted site power from day one of a build or a major renovation, set up so trades can work and inspections pass, and removed cleanly when the permanent service is live.
For builders and contractors
Power that's ready when the crew is
Nothing stalls a build like waiting for power. Framers need saws, the site needs light, and every trade after them needs outlets that work and don't trip every time two tools start at once. A properly installed temporary service gives the site reliable, protected power for as long as the build lasts.
On a custom home rebuild, a common project across North York and Forest Hill, the old house is usually disconnected and demolished and the lot needs a temporary service before construction starts. On a major renovation, the existing service may stay in place with a construction panel added for the trades. We'll recommend the set-up that suits the project.
Coordinated with the utility
A temporary service connection is arranged with the local utility: Toronto Hydro in the City of Toronto, and Alectra Utilities in Mississauga, Vaughan and Richmond Hill. The installation is inspected by ESA before the utility connects it. We coordinate both, so you're not chasing paperwork.
Choosing a set-up
Temporary power options compared
| Temporary utility service | Construction panel from the existing service | Portable generator | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | New builds and rebuilds on cleared lots | Renovations where the house stays connected | Short jobs and remote locations |
| Reliability | Steady utility power | Steady, within the house's capacity | Depends on fuel and maintenance |
| Noise and fumes | None | None | Both, all day |
| Approvals | Utility connection and ESA inspection | ESA permit | Safe set-up and grounding still matter |
What's on site
A safe temporary installation
Construction sites are hard on electrical equipment. Cords get run over, outlets get wet, and tools draw heavy current. A good temporary installation accounts for that: weatherproof enclosures, ground fault protection on the receptacles trades plug into, circuits sized so a mitre saw and a compressor can run together, and equipment placed where it won't be damaged by machinery.
Temporary installations also need looking after. Equipment gets moved, cords get damaged and new trades arrive with heavier tools. When we're on the project for the permanent wiring, we keep an eye on the temporary set-up as the build progresses and adjust it as the site changes, rather than leaving it to fend for itself.
As the build progresses, temporary power hands over to the permanent service. Because we usually wire the permanent service too, as part of our new construction work, we plan both together, which keeps the switch-over simple and avoids paying for work twice.
- Site assessmentWhere the service goes and what the trades will need
- Temporary service or construction panelSized to the site
- GFCI-protected receptaclesIn weatherproof enclosures
- Site lighting circuitsWhere the build needs them
- Utility and ESA coordinationConnection, inspection and removal
How it works
From application to removal
Plan with the builder
Location, size and timing of temporary power.
Utility and ESA
Connection request and permit filed.
Install
Temporary service or panel, receptacles and site lighting.
Inspect and connect
ESA inspects, then the utility connects.
Switch over
Removed once the permanent service is live.
Questions
Temporary power: common questions
How long does it take to get temporary power?
The electrical installation itself is quick. The timeline usually depends on the utility's connection schedule and the ESA inspection. Ask us early, ideally while permits are still being finalised, so power is ready when the crew arrives.
Can't we just use a generator?
For short jobs or remote sites, a generator can work. On a build that lasts months, a temporary utility service is usually cheaper, quieter and more reliable, and it doesn't need refuelling.
What about a renovation where the family is still living in the house?
We plan site power so the trades have what they need without overloading the house circuits the family depends on, sometimes with a dedicated construction panel fed from the existing service.
Do you work with general contractors and builders?
Yes. A large share of our work is for general contractors and custom home builders, from temporary power and rough-in through to final connections and ESA sign-off. Two crews mean we can keep to your schedule on larger projects.
Do you take out the ESA permit?
Yes. In Ontario, the licensed contractor files the notification of work with the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) and books the inspection. We handle it on every job that needs one, and you get the ESA Certificate of Acceptance when the work passes. Keep it: insurers and home buyers often ask for it.
Where we work
Temporary power across the GTA
We serve homeowners, builders and businesses across Toronto and the GTA.
- North York
- Toronto
- Forest Hill
- Etobicoke
- Scarborough
- Mississauga
- Vaughan
- Richmond Hill
- Oakville
- Caledon
- King
- Barrie
- Markham
- Aurora
- Newmarket
- Brampton
- Alliston
- Wasaga Beach
- Collingwood