In British Columbia, gas work must be done by a licensed gas fitter and electrical work by a licensed electrician, both under Technical Safety BC. Most furnace, boiler, and gas water heater installations require a gas permit, and heat pump work usually requires an electrical permit. Permits are pulled by the contractor, not the homeowner, and the work is subject to inspection.
What typically needs a permit?
The rule of thumb is that replacing an appliance connected to gas or a dedicated electrical circuit needs one. Straight maintenance does not.
- Furnace or boiler replacement, including like-for-like swaps
- Gas water heater replacement
- New gas line or line resizing, common on tankless conversions
- Heat pump and air conditioner installation, for the electrical side
- Gas fireplace installation
Why does it matter to you rather than the contractor?
Three practical reasons. Unpermitted gas work can void your home insurance after an incident. It can hold up a sale when it shows on a title or inspection. And a permit brings an independent inspection, which is the only outside check that the install was done correctly.
What should you ask before work starts?
Ask whether a permit is being pulled and who pulls it, ask for the gas fitter ticket number, and confirm the quote includes the permit fee. A contractor who suggests skipping the permit to save money is telling you what their work is worth.
Our technicians are TECA certified and gas ticketed, and we pull the permits our work requires. All installation follows the BC Building Code and current gas and electrical safety regulations.
Ask About Permits for Your Job
We will tell you upfront what your job needs and what it costs.