Cottage & Vacation Home Electrical Inspections – What milton locals Should Know

As the summer season begins, many Milton-area residents are gearing up to head north to their cottages and vacation properties. Whether you own a retreat in the Kawarthas, Haliburton Highlands, or even closer to home near Kelso Conservation Area or Rattlesnake Point, it’s crucial to ensure your property is safe before the first long weekend getaway. One key step that’s often overlooked? A thorough electrical inspection — especially if your seasonal home sits empty during the fall and winter.


Why Electrical Inspections Matter for Seasonal Homes

Cottages and vacation properties in Ontario often remain unoccupied for six to eight months a year. During that time, moisture, rodents, freezing temperatures, and aging electrical systems can all contribute to major safety hazards. According to the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), nearly 25% of residential fires in Ontario are caused by faulty electrical systems — many in older or underused properties.

With over 10,000 residential units added to Milton between 2016 and 2021 (StatsCan), many homeowners are investing in weekend or vacation retreats — and need help keeping them up to standard.


Inspection Saves a Family Cottage from Risk

In early May, our team at Milton Electric performed an inspection for a returning client with a family cottage near Parry Sound. The couple, originally from Bronte Meadows, had inherited the 1970s-built cabin and wanted to rent it out on Airbnb during peak weeks.

Upon inspection, our licensed electrician discovered several serious issues:

• Rodent-chewed wires inside an outdoor breaker box
• Two-prong ungrounded outlets in the kitchen and living area
• An overloaded fuse panel that had never been upgraded from the original installation

Had these issues gone unnoticed, it could have resulted in electrical fires, shocks, or even insurance claim denials if guests were injured. We immediately recommended:

1. Upgrading the fuse panel to a modern 200-amp breaker system
2. Replacing all ungrounded outlets with GFCI-protected ones
3. Installing a rodent-proof outdoor panel housing
4. Running new grounded wiring to the high-moisture kitchen area

Within two business days, our team completed the upgrades. The homeowners were thrilled — and now have a safer, rental-ready cottage that passed insurance inspection with flying colours.


What Milton Cottage Owners Need to Know

Whether you live in Willmott, Ford, or Old Milton, and own a secondary property, here are some things to keep in mind before summer:

• Have you upgraded the panel? Many older cottages still use 60-amp systems, which are not safe or insurable for modern use.
• Check for aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring, especially in structures built before 1975.
• Book inspections early – Our calls for inspections jump 30-40% in June alone.

How We Help

Milton Electric offers licensed electrical inspections, panel upgrades, wiring replacements, and safety retrofits for vacation homes and seasonal properties. We’re proud to help local families make the most of their time away without worrying about what’s behind the walls.
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Final Thoughts

Electrical inspections are more than just a checkbox — they’re a safeguard for your property, your family, and your investment. If you're planning to open your seasonal property this summer, trust the licensed professionals at Milton Electric. Our experienced team understands the unique challenges of Ontario’s cottages and we’re here to make sure yours is safe, reliable, and summer-ready.

Contact us today to schedule your inspection before the summer rush.

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