What Is the 'Investigate Working Without Notification' Charge?
It is a fixed ESA fee for electrical work that was done with no permit on file. In ESA's 2026 fee guide it is called 'Working without a Notification'. It costs $354 for up to the first 2 hours, plus $177 for each extra hour. ESA charges it when a notification of work (a permit) was not filed within 48 hours of the work starting.
The bills we are seeing in Brampton this fall show it as 'Investigate working without notifica' with a quantity of 2.0. Here is the math. 2 hours at $177 is $354. HST at 13% is $46.02. The total is $400.02.
This is not a fine from a court. It is ESA charging for the time it spent looking into work that should have had a permit. It usually comes with a letter about an EV charger or exterior pot lights.
Why Is It $177 an Hour?
$177 is ESA's 2026 hourly rate for its own services. ESA raised its fees by 1.9% on April 1, 2026. The same charge was $348 ($174 an hour) under the 2025 fee guide.
That same $177 rate shows up all over the fee guide. It is what ESA charges for a re-inspection, for processing overdue defects, and for each disconnection letter. That is why it pays to deal with the first bill fast.
When Is It Due and What If I Pay Late?
The invoice terms are net 30 days from the invoice date. After that, ESA adds a late charge of 1.5% per month, which works out to 19.56% a year.
The invoice lists three ways to pay: a cheque made out to the Electrical Safety Authority with your account and invoice numbers written on it, a credit card by phone at 1-877-372-7233 (Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 4:30 pm), or online bill payment through your bank using the invoice number. Interac e-transfer is not accepted.
The invoice terms are net 30 days from the invoice date.
Paying the Bill Does Not Close the File
This is the part most people miss. The investigation charge covers ESA's time. It does not inspect or approve your charger or lights. The work still needs a notification of work, an inspection, and any defects fixed.
The normal permit fee still applies on top. In 2026, a licensed contractor pays $86 for an EV charger or outlet, which rises to the $92 minimum when it is the only item on the permit. Pot lights are priced by count, starting at $46 for up to 10 lights on a small job filed by a contractor.
If the file drags on, more fees can follow. ESA lists $177 to process overdue defects, $177 for a re-inspection when defects are not fixed, $89 for a separate visit to check corrected defects, and $177 for each disconnection letter. Past that, ESA can issue administrative penalties of $100 to $10,000.
Can I Dispute the Charge?
If you believe no electrical work was done, call ESA billing at 1-877-372-7233 and explain. For example, your car may charge from a plain outlet that was already in the garage. One Toronto homeowner in 2024 got a notice for a plug-in charger on an existing outlet. ESA inspectors came out, saw no new wiring, and closed the file.
If ESA issues a formal order, you can ask for a Director's Review, but you must apply within 15 days of getting the order. Administrative penalties have their own appeal, also within 15 days.
If work really was done without a permit, disputing it rarely helps. The faster path is to get it inspected and closed.
How to Stop the Costs From Growing
Three moves keep this to one bill. First, pay or settle the investigation charge before the 30 days are up. Second, hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor right away to file a notification for the install, fix what is wrong, and book the ESA inspection. Third, keep the Certificate of Acceptance when it passes.
Superior Power Electric is a Brampton Licensed Electrical Contractor (ESA licence #7014710). We file the notification, correct any defects, and deal with ESA for you. Read our step-by-step guide to the ESA letter for the full process.
Book a $49 on-site assessment, credited toward the work if you go ahead, or call (647) 872-9954. We serve Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon, Vaughan, Georgetown, Oakville and Toronto.
First, pay or settle the investigation charge before the 30 days are up.
Common questions
Frequently asked
Why did ESA charge me $400.02?
It is ESA's 2026 'Working without a Notification' fee: $354 for up to the first 2 hours at $177 an hour, plus 13% HST of $46.02. ESA charges it when electrical work, such as an EV charger or pot lights, was done without a permit filed within 48 hours of starting.
Is the ESA investigation charge a fine?
No. It is a fee for ESA's time looking into work done without a permit. Fines and administrative penalties are separate and only come later if the problem is not fixed.
If I pay the ESA investigation charge, am I done?
No. The charge does not approve the work. The EV charger or pot lights still need a notification of work, an ESA inspection, and any defects corrected before ESA closes the file.
When is the ESA invoice due?
Net 30 days from the invoice date. After that ESA adds 1.5% per month, which is 19.56% a year.
How do I pay an ESA invoice?
By cheque to the Electrical Safety Authority with your account and invoice numbers on it, by credit card at 1-877-372-7233 (Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 4:30 pm), or by online bill payment using the invoice number. Interac e-transfer is not accepted.
Can more ESA fees be added if I wait?
Yes. ESA's 2026 fee guide lists $177 to process overdue defects, $177 for a re-inspection when defects are not fixed, and $177 for each disconnection letter. Administrative penalties of $100 to $10,000 are also possible.
Shaun Pennant
Master Electrician, ESA/ECRA #7014710
Licensed master electrician with 15+ years serving Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area. Founded Superior Power Electric in 2020.
