How Long Does EV Charger Installation Take in London, Ontario?

For most London homes — attached garage, modern 200A panel with available breaker space, straightforward wiring run — EV charger installation takes 2 to 4 hours on installation day. The job is typically booked, completed, and ESA-inspected within 5–7 business days of first contact.

That said, a few variables can stretch the timeline significantly. Here's what drives the difference and what to expect at each stage.

Installation Day: What Happens and How Long It Takes

Task	Time	Notes
Panel assessment	15–20 min	Verify breaker space, panel amperage, existing loads — determines if load management is needed
Route planning	10–15 min	Shortest compliant conduit path from panel to garage location
Conduit and wiring run	45–90 min	Simple attached-garage runs on the low end; through finished walls or across a detached garage run longer
Breaker installation	20–30 min	Double-pole 40A or 50A breaker installed in panel
Charger mounting and connection	20–30 min	NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwired depending on charger model
Testing and handoff	15–20 min	Power-on test, app setup walkthrough for smart chargers
Total (typical London install)	2–4 hours	Simple install; complex jobs may run to 5–6 hours

What Makes London Installs More Complex

London's housing stock varies considerably by neighbourhood. Some areas have straightforward installs; others present consistent complications that add time and cost.

The ESA Permit — What It Is and When the Inspector Comes

Every 240V circuit installed in Ontario requires an Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) permit and inspection. This is not optional — it's the law, and skipping it voids your homeowner's insurance for any electrical claim.

Here's how the permit process works in the London ESA district:

1. Permit pulled before installation: Your contractor applies for an ESA permit before the work begins. We handle this — it's included in every quote.
2. Installation completed: Work is done on installation day.
3. ESA inspection scheduled: The ESA inspector books within 3–10 business days of permit pull. Inspections are scheduled through an automated system; we coordinate this.
4. Inspection completed: Inspector visits the home, verifies the installation meets Ontario Electrical Safety Code, issues a certificate of inspection.
5. Certificate received: You receive your ESA certificate of inspection — required for insurance documentation and rebate submissions.

Full Timeline: From First Call to First Charge

Stage	Typical Duration
Initial consultation / quote	Same day or next business day
Quote review and booking	1–2 days
ESA permit pull	Same day as booking
Charger ordered (if not in stock)	1–3 days shipping
Installation day	2–4 hours
First charge	Day of installation
ESA inspection	3–10 business days post-installation
Total: first contact to charging	5–10 business days

When Does Installation Take Longer?

Some situations genuinely extend the timeline:

• Panel upgrade required: If your panel needs upgrading, we typically schedule the upgrade and charger installation together — adds 1–2 weeks for parts procurement and a separate London Hydro disconnect/reconnect appointment.
• Load management device: If we're installing a load management system to avoid a panel upgrade, the device needs to arrive and the configuration is somewhat more involved — add 1–2 hours to installation time.
• Winter weather: Exterior conduit runs in freezing temperatures add time. Trenching for detached garage underground runs is difficult in frozen ground — this work is sometimes deferred to spring.
• Complex routing: Heritage homes with solid masonry walls or finished interiors where hiding conduit requires more creative routing add time — we'll tell you this upfront in the quote.