Solutions Electrical & Maintenance LTD.
Since opening its doors in 2003, Solutions Electrical & Maintenance Ltd. has been a leading electrical contractor serving homeowners and businesses across the Greater Toronto Area. Growing from a single founder to a team of 14 dedicated labourers, Solutions Electrical & Maintenance Ltd. has made a name for itself in the retrofit marketplace, specializing in home renovation projects, from rewiring century old homes to as simple as ceiling fan installations.
Holding a decade of experience in the marketplace, Solutions Electrical & Maintenance Ltd. attributes its success to the professional approach it dedicates to each and every project. Frank Cozzolino, Owner of Solutions Electrical & Maintenance Ltd., told with The Canadian Business Journal, “The reason for our success is simple. We do it right. We make sure to do our absolute best, right from the initial call. We don’t do pressure sales, we simply give information and put a price tag to it. Our reputation sets us apart from other companies. We simply deliver on what we promise to client.”
Holmes on Homes
On one of its initial projects, Solutions Electrical & Maintenance Ltd. and Cozzolino worked alongside Mike Holmes of ‘Holmes on Homes’. The two tradesmen employ similar service, knowledge, skill, and workmanship, which soon led to a longstanding working bond between Holmes and Cozzolino.
“Mike Holmes was working on a pilot at the time. Although it can get costly to donate and participate on Holmes on Homes, we are doing it for the right reasons, not for the fame or glory,” Cozzolino detailed. “Our phone has been ringing off the hook ever since. The show gives us another platform to be honest with customers, and if it gets us recognition or generates leads, then it is a win-win all the way through.”
Client Service
Solutions Electrical & Maintenance Ltd. has established a reputation of honesty and openness with its clients. Quite simply, the company leaves the choice in the hands of the homeowner or business owner.
“For example, let’s say you own a home that was built in the 1960s, and you notice that when you use the toaster or a blender, the circuit trips. That’s when we go in, tell you what the problem is, explain why it is wrong, and give you the information you need so that you can make an educated decision,” Cozzolino said. “It can make a lot of damage to channel cables from Point A to Point B, so if you do not want any damage and you may be planning a kitchen renovation, that would be the ideal time to update the wiring, yet hiring the right electrical contractor for the project can be done without a kitchen renovation and damage would be kept to a minimum.
“Speaking of kitchen renovations, often homeowners contact a general contractor to take on the project, and often we have found that the general contractor will hire a buddy to wire the kitchen or wire it themselves. This is wrong and against the law, and most homeowners are not aware of this and place their trust and faith in the hands of the general contractor. The law in Ontario is clear whomever does the wiring needs to obtain an electrical permit from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), and the only persons that may obtain an electrical permit is the homeowner (if they are doing the work) or a licensed electrical contractor. I am often asked by clients what’s the difference between an electrician and an electrical contractor, and an electrician is allowed to work for an electrical contractor, but only an electrical contractor can work for you.”
Solutions Electrical & Maintenance Ltd. makes a point to educate clients, part of which is recognizing the abrasive work that comes with home renovations and electrical work. As part of its commitment to minimize potential damage, Solutions Electrical & Maintenance Ltd. has and continues to lead in its field by offering unique services such as ‘Test and Troubleshoot’, the first service of its kind, which has been offered to clients since 2004, where it checks all the wiring in a home and then clearly indicates the information of every circuit, identifying any overloaded circuits, and it is among the first to offer whole home surge protection in a residential application. “Surge protection is a need, not a luxury,” Cozzolino explained.
Future Plans
In the coming years, Solutions Electrical & Maintenance Ltd. hopes to branch out its business across Ontario. The expansion is already beginning this year, with a new office opening in Barrie, as well as an office to the west serving the Hamilton Area, which will be managed by a selection of the company’s existing, long-term staff, who plans to hit the ground running given their knowledge of the company’s dedication to excellence. Solutions Electrical & Maintenance Ltd. would also like to expand east of the Greater Toronto Area, with the possibility of another office serving Oshawa and the Durham Region.
“I enjoy the tools far more than I enjoy running a business. The passion that I have for the trade and training of our apprentices keeps me going,” Cozzolino concluded. “I truly have a very strong passion for the electrical trade and ensuring that homeowners can make an educated decision.”
