If your breaker is tripping, one of four things is happening: the circuit is overloaded (too many devices drawing power), there's a short circuit (hot and neutral wires touching), there's a ground fault (current escaping to ground), or the breaker itself is faulty or aging. Overloads are by far the most common — and usually the easiest to fix yourself. The other three almost always need a licensed electrician.

In older Toronto and Etobicoke homes, there's a fifth culprit worth taking seriously: outdated panels (especially Federal Pioneer Stab-Lok) and deteriorating knob-and-tube wiring that make tripping more frequent and more dangerous than it should be.

Here's how to figure out which one you're dealing with.

If you’re hiring a licensed electrician in the GTA in 2026, most homeowners in Toronto can expect to pay between $95–$160 per hour for a licensed electrical contractor, with a typical service call minimum of $150–$300 depending on the job, travel, and urgency. Larger projects like panel upgrades, EV charger installations, or knob-and-tube replacement are usually quoted as fixed-price jobs rather than hourly work.

Pricing in areas like Etobicoke, downtown Toronto, and King City can vary based on property type, permit requirements, building age, accessibility, and emergency demand. Older homes across Toronto often require additional troubleshooting and code upgrades, while newer condo buildings may involve condo board coordination and restricted work hours.

At AMPS Electric Company, we believe homeowners should understand exactly what goes into electrical pricing before they book a contractor. Here’s what to expect in 2026.