We are thrilled to announce that Houle has once again achieved Platinum membership status in Deloitte’s Best Managed Companies program! This marks our twelfth consecutive year receiving this prestigious recognition for our exceptional management abilities and business practices.

At Houle, we commit to excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth as the foundation of our operations. These principles guide every decision we make and reflect the hard work and dedication of our entire team in leading our industry forward. Their passion, expertise, and pursuit of excellence have been instrumental in our success.

As we continue to evolve, we remain dedicated to bringing communities to life by delivering exceptional service and driving positive change in the industry.

We extend our congratulations to all this year’s winners! See the winner’s list here.

About Canada’s Best Managed Companies

Canada’s Best Managed Companies remains the hallmark of excellence for private Canadian-owned and managed businesses. Since its inception in 1993, this program has attracted hundreds of entrepreneurial companies competing for recognition through a rigorous and independent evaluation of their management skills and practices.

The awards are granted across four levels:

1. Canada’s Best Managed Companies New Winner – recognizing outstanding newcomers selected each year.
2. Canada’s Best Managed Companies Winner – honouring recipients who have successfully maintained their Best Managed designation for two additional years.
3. Gold Standard Winner – celebrating companies that have demonstrated their dedication to the program by maintaining their Best Managed status for four to six consecutive years.
4. Platinum Club Member – honouring winners who have maintained their Best Managed status for seven years or more.

This program is proudly sponsored by Deloitte Private, CIBC, The Globe and Mail, Salesforce, and TMX Group.

For more information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.

Are you seeking residential electrical services to support your home improvement projects? From power upgrades and inspections to EV charger installations, our licensed electricians will ensure your home’s electrical systems are safe and tailored to meet all your electrical needs.

Home Renovations

Embarking on a home renovation can be exciting but overwhelming, especially when it comes to integrating advanced electrical systems. Our licensed electricians offer expert guidance for complex wiring, energy-efficient improvements, and smart home technologies. We go beyond mere installations; we design electrical plans specific to your renovation needs, ensuring compliance with local codes and safety standards. Here’s how we can assist:

Heating & Cooling

Upgrading your heating and cooling system? Proper electrical infrastructure is crucial. Our electricians are experts in equipping your home with modern HVAC systems, ensuring efficient operation and energy savings:

Our Services

EV Charging

Considering an EV charger for your home? Our comprehensive services include everything from securing permits to choosing the right charger, ensuring a smooth installation:

Electrical Repairs and Upgrade

Ensure your home is safe with our top-notch electrical repair and upgrade services. Whether it’s outdated wiring or a panel upgrade, our team is ready to tackle any challenge, 24/7.

Home Inspections

From pre-purchase evaluations to renovations, our inspections provide a detailed overview of your home’s electrical systems, helping you make informed decisions and ensuring compliance with all regulations.

To understand more about residential electrical service, click here.

Services Mentioned

Understanding your home or residential electrical service is vital for safety, efficiency, and comfort. This guide will demystify the basics of residential electrical services, helping homeowners make informed decisions about maintenance, upgrades, and compliance.

Electrical Service explained

Residential electrical service is the system that distributes electricity throughout your home, starting from the meter box where the utility company’s responsibility ends. It includes your main breaker panel, circuits, and all wiring, outlets, and fixtures.

determining your Service Size

Service size, measured in amperes (amps), indicates the capacity of your home’s electrical system. Modern homes typically require between 100 to 200 amps to safely power all devices and appliances. If your home is older, with only 60 amps, upgrading may be necessary to support today’s electrical loads and enhance safety.

Key Components of Your Electrical System

• Service Drop: Connection point from the utility’s lines to your home.
• Meter Box: Tracks electricity usage for billing.
• Main Breaker Panel: Distributes electricity to various circuits and provides a safety mechanism against overloads.
• Circuits and Wires: Delivers power within the home and includes safety features like circuit breakers to prevent overloading and potential fires.

When to Consider an Electrical Upgrade

Signs you might need an upgrade include frequent breaker trips, flickering lights, or the addition of high-power appliances. Upgrading from 100 to 200 amps improves safety and increases your home’s value.

Safety Tips

• Hire a licensed electrician for any major electrical work.
• Regularly inspect and replace worn or damaged cords and fixtures.
• Avoid overloading outlets and use power strips sparingly.
• Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) in areas exposed to moisture like kitchens and bathrooms.

Navigating Compliance and Permits:

Electrical upgrades often require permits and must comply with local building codes. This ensures safety and avoids complications when selling your home. Always check with your local building department before starting significant electrical work.

Boosting Energy Efficiency

Upgrading your electrical system can also lead to better energy efficiency. Consider integrating LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and smart devices that automatically manage electricity usage, reducing costs and environmental impact.

Services Mentioned

Get in touch today!

Every homeowner should have a basic understanding of their home’s electrical service. Whether you’re considering an upgrade or simply maintaining your current system, being well-informed will help you ensure your home is safe, efficient, and up to code. Invest in your electrical infrastructure to safeguard and enhance your living environment. Contact us for all your electrical needs!

To learn more about the residential electrical services we offer, visit here.

In February 2024, we proudly received the Johnson Controls Open Globe Award for Outstanding Sales Excellence! As a leader in security access controls, being ranked among the top performers for 2023 is a testament to our talented Technology teams and their commitment to collaboration that supports delivering innovative systems integration solutions for our customers. Thanks to Johnson Controls for this recognition.

It’s through our talented teams and strong partnerships that we can succeed in delivering excellent service to our customers and communities. As BC’s leading electrical contractor and systems integrator, we are proud of our sales performance and achievement.

Les Koss, Vice President, Technology

About This Award

The Johnson Controls Open Globe Award for Outstanding Sales Excellence recognizes partners who deliver exceptional knowledge and expertise when managing security access controls and have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the customer. The outstanding sales performers rank among the “best of the best” in fiscal year 2023.

We’re thrilled to be recognized among this year’s BC’s Top Employers! We’re proud of our talented teams and innovative programs that create a supportive workplace where everyone can grow and make a lasting impact. This marks the third year that we have been honoured with this distinction, reinforcing our commitment to continuous improvement and maintaining an outstanding workplace.

TOP EMPLOYER

AN ANNUAL DISTINCTION FOR EXCEPTIONAL WORKPLACES

The Top Employer designation, organized by Mediacorp Canada Inc., is awarded annually to organizations across BC that “lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work.” Employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which offers the most progressive and forward-thinking programs. The evaluation covers eight essential criteria:

• Physical workplace
• Work Atmosphere & Social
• Health, Financial, & Family Benefits
• Vacation & Time Off
• Employee Communications
• Performance Management
• Training & Skills Development
• Community Involvement

It’s an honour to receive this recognition for our purpose-driven culture and programs that empower employees to make a positive impact in our communities. This achievement serves as a testament to our commitment to providing meaningful work, ongoing career development, and opportunities to grow.

Amber Roberts, VP, People & Culture

Workplace Excellence at Houle

As BC’s leading electrical contractor and systems integrator, with over 1,200 dedicated professionals employed in both office and field positions, we’re committed to building teams that thrive. Driven by purpose and connected through collaboration, our focus on people guides our success in delivering some of the most exciting projects in the province.

Learn more about BC’s Top Employers and what sets Houle apart as an employer of choice here.

Join our Team!

Want to work on exciting projects? Check out our current career opportunities.

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Are you a strata or property manager, business owner, or homeowner? The demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging is on the rise and now is the perfect time to get your property EV Ready by expanding your EV charging infrastructure. The Province of BC is moving forward with its zero-emission vehicle targets. As of October 31^st, 2023, it has approved another $6.59M in funding to re-open the CleanBC Go Electric EV Charger Rebate Program for Homes and Workplaces.

What does this mean?

Whether you’re considering starting the planning process to upgrade your property, or your building is already approved for EV charger installation, BC Hydro EV charger rebates are available to help you save up to 50-75% of the costs, while funding lasts.

How it Works

MULTI-UNIT HOMES (APARTMENT, CONDO & TOWNHOME COMPLEXES)

EV Ready Plan

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If your complex is not pre-approved by BC Hydro for EV charger installation, you will need an EV Ready Plan. This is a professional document for your building to make at least one parking space per residential unit EV Ready, which includes the electrical infrastructure to support EV chargers.

If your plan is completed by a licensed electrical contractor or electrical engineer, you could receive a rebate of up to 75% of the costs of creating the plan, to a maximum of $3,000. Note that an EV Ready Plan is simply a starting point and does not require you to move forward with installation.

EV INFRASTRUCTURE

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Once your EV Ready Plan is complete and approved, you can proceed with the installation of electrical infrastructure to support EV chargers. This could include electrical service upgrades, wiring, and civil works. While funding lasts, you could receive a rebate of up to 50% of the installation costs, to a maximum of $600 per parking stall, and a project maximum of $120,000. Note: while having the right electrical infrastructure is critical to being EV Ready, EV charging devices can be installed later.

EV CHARGER INSTALLATION

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Once the electrical infrastructure is in place, you’ll be ready for EV charger installation. You could receive a rebate of up to 50% of the costs, up to a maximum of $1,400 per charger to purchase and install Level 2 networked EV chargers, to a maximum of $14,000.

Standalone EV Charging Stations

For standalone EV chargers at workplaces (for employee use) and multi-unit homes, BC Hydro is offering rebates of up to 50% of costs up to a maximum of $2,000 per charger to purchase and install eligible Level 2 networked EV chargers, to a maximum of $14,000. The building must be pre-approved.

Single-Family Homes

Owners or residents of single-family homes, row homes, or duplexes that purchase and install an eligible Level 2 EV charger could receive a rebate of up to 50% of costs, to a maximum of $350. BC Hydro is also offering incentives of up to $250 for single-family home customers who install eligible EV chargers, and power management rebates for installing power-switching devices.

Why Upgrade Now?

• Take advantage of BC Hydro EV charger rebates and incentive programs before they run out
• Make your property ready for the rising demand for electric vehicles
• Attract eco-conscious residents, employees, and customers looking for EV charging capabilities
• Make your property ready to meet future regulatory requirements
• Increase your property value with the presence of EV chargers
• Increase revenue generation through visitor charging stalls
• Support sustainability and protect the environment through reduced emissions

EV Rebate Summary

EV Ready Plan

save up to 75% 

($3,000 MAx)

Working with a licensed electrical contractor.

infrastructure

save up to 50% 

($120k MAx)

On electrical work required to support EV charging.

charger install

save up to 50% 

($1,400 MAx)

Per Level 2 charger, to a max. of $14,000.

Standalone charger

Save up to 50% costs, to a maximum of $2,000 per charger

For multi-unit homes & workplaces.

Single-Family Homes

save up to 50% 

($350 max)

Save an additional $250 on eligible smart EV chargers, and, ask us about rebates for
installing power-switching devices.

Services Mentioned

READY FOR THE NEXT STEP?

As a licensed electrical contractor, working in Vancouver and across BC, we can help with all your EV charging needs and help maximize your eligibility for EV charger rebates. From developing EV Ready plans and pulling electrical permits to installing electrical infrastructure, EV chargers, and power-switching devices for homes, our EV charger installers and certified electricians have you covered. From residential to commercial properties, we’ll ensure that your project meets all regulatory requirements. To start your EV Ready Plan, you can request a service or call us at 1.844.GO.HOULE.

Click here for more info on the CleanBC Go Electric EV Charger Rebate Program.

On Giving Tuesday (November 28, 2023), our Burnaby team participated in the annual CKNW Kids’ Fund Pledge Day charity event! Every year, this long-standing radiothon brings in millions of dollars by phone and online donations. This fundraising event goes towards supporting BC kids and their families as they navigate various health challenges. This includes providing grants for specialized medical equipment, therapies, and programs for at-risk youth. Visit here to learn more or donate.

We were able to send a team of five volunteers to help answer the phones to raise funds for the CKNW Kids’ Fund. Houle also donated $5,000 and Lori Podnevar was interviewed live on-air about Houle’s involvement, which you can hear in the video above. In total, the event raised more than $3.3 million for the important work of the CKNW Kids’ Fund, topping the previous record of $2.7 million set last year. Read the news article here.

Overall, we’re proud to support this important cause and the communities where we live, work, and play.

About CKNW

Since 1945, CKNW Kids’ Fund has granted millions of dollars to support hundreds of thousands of children with different challenges. Through the generosity of organizations and communities, they helped families by providing grants for essential specialized medical equipment, therapies, and programs for at-risk youth.

Electrical preventative maintenance is crucial for any building, whether commercial, residential, institutional, or industrial and infrastructure. It focuses on catching issues with your building’s electrical equipment and preventing unplanned outages and disruptive failures. From a property management perspective, this could mean the difference between a $500 fix and a $10,000 repair.

To establish an effective electrical preventative maintenance program, several key elements come into play, including annual electrical operating permits, annual infrared scanning, and electrical distribution maintenance. Let’s delve deeper into these essential components:

Annual Electrical Operating Permits

To ensure the safe operation, maintenance, and inspection of electrical equipment, Technical Safety BC or your local municipality mandates annual electrical operating permits for facilities working with such equipment.

Whether your building falls under the category of commercial, residential, industrial, or institutional, we can help you set up and apply for your annual electrical operating permit through Technical Safety BC or your local municipality.

Infrared Scanning

We use infrared cameras to identify deficiencies in electrical equipment through the detection of abnormal heating. This can help catch potential issues before they cause a system failure or outage.

Electrical Distribution Maintenance

Our electrical distribution maintenance includes the maintenance of switchgear and transformers that feed power from the electrical service provider to your building.

Maintenance is required every 42 months for dual radial switchgear and recommended for single high-voltage feed switchgear.

We can plan and complete shutdowns outside of working hours to reduce disruption to building occupants.

Houle Preventative Maintenance Solutions

With our preventative maintenance solutions, you can avoid equipment failure and operational disruption, ensure safe and reliable electrical systems, and comply with insurance requirements.

Contact us today to discover how our preventative maintenance solutions can benefit your property!

On November 16, 2023, Houle was inducted into the Burnaby Business Hall of Fame. This special award is bestowed jointly by the Burnaby Board of Trade and the City of Burnaby every year to a widely-recognized, Burnaby-based business that has demonstrated outstanding business success over many years and positively and significantly impacted the community. 

This award is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and innovation of our entire team and to our almost 80-years of providing electrical and technology solutions to people across the province. It also reflects the values that drive us every day – excellence, collaboration, and a commitment to making a positive impact.

The Houle legacy began in 1944, when Lionel Houle and his father opened an electrical store in Port Alberni to serve the needs of the community. In the 1950s, Lionel established Houle’s headquarters in the city of Burnaby, and we’ve been growing ever since. Today, we have become BC’s leading electrical contractor and systems integrator. Trusted to deliver some of the province’s most complex infrastructure projects. From hospitals, universities, and shopping centres, to airports, shipping terminals, and sustainable power infrastructure. We’re passionate about what we do and provide the experience, capabilities, and resources to deliver innovative solutions for any project.

We’re also proud of our long-standing tradition of supporting organizations that do incredible work in our communities. This includes groups like the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

We are honored to have been selected and express our gratitude to the Burnaby Board of Trade, its members, the City of Burnaby, and the entire Burnaby community for granting us this prestigious recognition. This recognition energizes and inspires us to continue our work in bringing communities to life.

ABOUT THE BURNABY BOARD OF TRADE

The Burnaby Board of Trade (BBOT) is Burnaby’s most active business networking, advocacy and economic development organization. Working closely with the municipality, its members, and various community stakeholders. The BBOT supports the growth of business both locally and internationally and fosters a sustainable business environment through networking, education, advocacy and development. The BBOT focuses on ‘making business better’ by providing its membership with insightful leadership, advocacy, education and a platform for collaboration. For more information about the BBOT, visit bbot.ca.

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We did it again! For the fourth consecutive year, Houle has been certified as a Great Place to Work®. This certification recognizes our team’s commitment to living our core values, building a positive workplace culture, and implementing processes and tools that help drive our success.

As an employer that puts people first; we’re a company with heart and a commitment to making a positive difference. The passion and dedication of our founders live on in our current generation of employees as we seek to create opportunities for everyone who works at Houle, for our partners, and for the communities in which we operate. We work to create a safe, fun, and fulfilling work environment where everyone is welcome, valued, and given the opportunity to grow. This includes extensive safety standards and programs, mental health and wellness resources, community outreach and charitable giving, fun events, and team-building socials that help us laugh and grow together.

We’re proud of the lasting workplace culture we’ve built over the decades – continually adapting and adopting better ways of doing things, while never letting go of our values and who we are as a company. It’s inspiring to see our people continue to foster a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

– Amber Roberts, VP of People & Culture, Houle

More About Great Place to Work® 

Great Place to Work® is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through proprietary assessment tools, advisory services, and certification programs, Great Place to Work® recognizes the Best Workplaces™ across the world in a series of national lists including those published by Fortune magazine (USA) and The Globe & Mail (Canada).

HOW DOES GREAT PLACE CERTIFICATION WORK?

The Great Place Institute determines certification based on the results of an anonymous employee survey and a separate evaluation of the organization’s management practices. The survey includes various parameters like safety, respect, fairness, management, team dynamics, and inclusion.

Want to work in a positive and growing organization? Check out our current career opportunities.