Residential Service · Toronto & GTA
Smoke & CO Detector Installation
Hardwired, interconnected, and code-compliant smoke and carbon monoxide detectors — installed by ESA-licensed electricians. Includes free home audits to identify gaps before your closing date, insurance review, or peace of mind upgrade.
Free Home Audit
Most homes don't actually meet code
We'll tell you what's missing before someone else does
Ontario Building Code requires hardwired and interconnected smoke detectors on every floor and outside every sleeping area, plus a CO detector adjacent to every sleeping area when fuel-burning appliances or attached garages are present. Our home audit takes 20–30 minutes — we count, locate, age-check, and test every existing detector and give you a written report with what's compliant, what's not, and what it costs to fix. Useful before a closing inspection, an insurance review, or just for peace of mind.
What We Do
Three install types, one trusted team
Whether you're bringing an older home up to code, building new, or upgrading to smart, we handle all three — and we'll tell you which one your home actually needs.
Hardwired & Interconnected
Code-compliant 120V hardwired detectors with battery backup, all interconnected so when one alarms, every detector alarms. Required for new construction and most renovations in Ontario.
- Hardwired smoke & CO units
- Interconnect wiring & testing
- Code-compliant placement
Smart Detectors
Google Nest Protect, First Alert OneLink, and other connected detectors. Phone alerts when you're away, voice notification of where the alarm is, and self-test logging.
- Google Nest Protect install
- First Alert OneLink & Z-Wave
- Wi-Fi setup & phone alert config
Replacement & Upgrades
Detectors expire — typically every 7–10 years. We replace expired units, swap battery-only for hardwired, and upgrade old systems to interconnected without rewiring the whole home.
- Expired unit replacement
- Battery → hardwired conversion
- Wireless interconnect retrofit
When To Call Us
Six signs your detectors need attention
Most homeowners don't think about smoke and CO until something fails. These are the signals that it's time.
01
Detectors are 7+ years old
Sensor accuracy degrades — most units expire after 10 years.
02
Battery-only, not hardwired
Code requires hardwired in many situations — and battery-only often gets disabled.
03
No CO detector at all
Required if you have gas heat, gas appliances, or an attached garage.
04
Buying or selling a home
Closing inspections almost always flag detector issues.
05
Renovation just wrapped
New rooms or layout changes can change where detectors must go.
06
Insurance is asking
Insurers increasingly require interconnected hardwired detectors.
Our Process
From audit to inspection in four steps
01
Free home audit
We count, locate, age-check, and test every existing detector — and document what's missing.
02
Quote & recommendations
Fixed-price scope showing exactly what needs replacing, adding, or upgrading.
03
Install day
Most full-home installs wrap in half a day with minimal drywall impact.
04
Test & documentation
Live test of every unit, smart-app setup if applicable, and a written compliance summary for insurance or closing.
Why Toronto homeowners choose Amps
ESA
Licensed Electrical Contractor in Ontario
$5M
Liability insurance on every install
Free
Home audits with written report
5★
Average Google rating from local clients
FAQ
Smoke & CO detector questions
How many detectors does my home actually need?
Ontario code requires a smoke detector on every storey, including basements, plus one outside each sleeping area. CO detectors are required adjacent to every sleeping area if there's a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage. A typical Toronto detached home needs 4–6 smoke and 2–3 CO units. We confirm exact count and placement during the free audit.
Do detectors really need to be hardwired?
For new construction and most renovations, yes — Ontario Building Code requires hardwired, interconnected detectors with battery backup. For existing homes that pre-date the code, battery-only is grandfathered, but most insurers and closing inspectors now expect hardwired. Wireless interconnect retrofits are an option when running new wire isn't practical.
How often do detectors expire?
Smoke detectors expire every 10 years; CO detectors every 7–10 depending on the model. The expiry date is printed on the back of every unit. Sensor accuracy drops well before expiry, so a 7-year-old detector that "still works" is often already unreliable.
Smart detectors or regular?
Both are code-compliant. Smart detectors (Nest Protect, First Alert OneLink) add phone alerts when you're away, voice notification of which room is alarming, and self-test logs. Regular hardwired units are cheaper and more reliable long-term. We'll explain trade-offs and let you decide.
Can you do this before my closing date?
Yes — closing-driven detector work is one of our most common jobs. Most full-home installs wrap in half a day, and we can usually accommodate fast turnaround. Book early in the closing process and we'll provide written compliance documentation for the buyer's lawyer or inspector.
Do I need a permit for detector work?
For new circuits or significant rewiring of interconnect lines — yes. For straight unit replacement on existing wiring — typically no. We'll tell you upfront if your project needs an ESA permit and handle the paperwork either way.
What does it cost?
A typical full-home replacement runs in the high hundreds to low thousands depending on detector count, type, and whether new wiring is needed. Single-unit replacements start around $150–$250. The free home audit gives you a fixed-price quote with no obligation.
Make sure your home is actually protected
Free home audits, written compliance reports, ESA-licensed work. Serving Etobicoke, Toronto, and the GTA.