About Navitas Electric

Owner-led electrical work across the Calgary area, led by Ross Aitchison

About Navitas Electric

Navitas Electric is an owner-led electrical contractor based in Cochrane, Alberta. Ross Aitchison started the company after years on the tools in England and Canada, with a clear purpose: deliver electrical work that reflects the level of skill, pride and professionalism that exists in the trades when it's done properly.

We work right across the Calgary area, from Cochrane and Airdrie out to Banff and Canmore and through to south Calgary and Okotoks. Our work mix is roughly one third residential (panel upgrades, EV chargers, solar, renovations), one third commercial and industrial (tenant fit-outs, oil and gas, light industrial), and one third specialist (access control, controls, automation).

Being local matters. We live in the same neighbourhoods, our kids go to the same schools, and the work we leave behind on your wall is something we're prepared to be accountable for the next time we run into you at the shops. That's not a marketing line, it's how a small Alberta trades business works when it's worth working with.

We're set up to grow without losing the standard. The values we run on are simple: pride in the trade, integrity and honesty, clear communication, community first, quality and safety, continuous improvement. If those match how you'd want your electrical work done, give us a call.

HOURS Mon to Sat 07:00 to 18:00
OWNER Ross Aitchison
BASED IN Cochrane, Alberta
COVERAGE Calgary and the Bow Valley
SERVICES 5 core specialisms
Navitas Electric on a Calgary commercial site

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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What areas do you cover?

We work across the greater Calgary area: Cochrane, Calgary, Airdrie, Bragg Creek, Okotoks, Canmore and Banff. For larger commercial projects we'll travel further into Alberta. If you're outside our usual coverage just give us a call on (403) 466-2338 and we'll let you know what works.

How long have you been trading?

Ross has over 15 years on the tools, with experience in both UK and Canadian electrical work. Navitas Electric was founded in Cochrane to bring that experience into a small, owner-led Alberta business focused on quality residential, commercial and industrial work.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. We work to the Canadian Electrical Code, carry $5 million liability insurance, and keep our WCB account current. We pull permits for every job that needs one and attend the safety codes inspection so you're not left chasing paperwork.

What are your working hours?

Standard working hours are Monday to Saturday, 07:00 to 18:00. We can arrange evening or weekend work for commercial clients who need it to avoid disrupting trade, and we respond to genuine electrical emergencies outside those hours.

Do you offer free quotes?

Yes. We do a free site visit for any residential job and most small commercial jobs. We'll assess the work, talk through options, and come back with a fixed-price written quote with no hidden extras. Call (403) 466-2338 or email info@navitaselectric.ca to book one.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept e-transfer, bank transfer, all major credit cards and cheque. Residential payments are typically due on completion. For larger jobs we work with staged payments at clearly defined milestones, set out in writing before any work starts.

How quickly can you install a Level 2 EV charger?

Most installs are completed within 10 days of you booking, subject to permit turnaround. The on-site work itself is usually a half day to a full day. If your panel needs upgrading first we'll flag that on the site visit so you know the full timeline up front.

What does a Level 2 EV charger install cost?

Most residential Level 2 installs in our area come out between $2,000 and $4,000, supplied and fitted, including the permit and inspection. The exact number depends on cable run length, whether we're mounting indoors or out, and the brand of charger you go with. Quote is fixed once we've seen the site.

Which brands of EV charger do you install?

We install all major brands: Tesla Wall Connector, ChargePoint, Wallbox, FLO, Grizzl-E and others. If you already have a unit we'll fit it. If not, we'll talk you through what suits your daily driving, your panel capacity and your budget.

Do I need a panel upgrade to install a Level 2 charger?

Not always. Many 100 A homes can still take a Level 2 charger if there's enough headroom in the load calculation. We do that math on the site visit. If your panel is at capacity, a service upgrade may be the right call; we'll explain why and what it costs before you commit.

Can you install a charger outdoors?

Yes. We install outdoor-rated chargers on driveways, carports, parking pads, multi-unit residential parkades and commercial parking lots across Alberta. Outdoor installs are designed to handle our winters and certified for cold-weather operation.

How do I know if I need a panel upgrade?

Common signs: breakers tripping when several appliances run together, a 100 A service when you want to add an EV charger or heat pump, a Federal Pioneer panel (known recall issue), scorch marks or warm spots around breakers, or your insurance company flagging your panel age. A free site visit gives you a clear answer.

Is a panel upgrade going to be a big expense?

Most residential panel upgrades fall between $2,500 and $6,000 depending on your current setup, service size, and any additional work required. We assess your system, give you a fixed price up front so there are no surprises, and coordinate the utility disconnect and inspection on your behalf.

Why are Federal Pioneer panels flagged?

Before we even talk about cost, the main concern with Federal Pioneer panels is safety and insurance. The breakers in these panels have a documented issue where they don't always trip properly under fault conditions. That increases fire risk. If you have one, we recommend replacement for safety reasons, not just capacity reasons.

How long does the panel upgrade take?

Most residential upgrades are done in a single day. You're without power for a few hours while we swap the panel, then back on by the evening. The inspector usually attends within the week, and we book that visit and attend it ourselves. You don't need to take a second day off.

Do you handle the utility disconnect?

Yes. We coordinate directly with the grid operator for your area (FortisAlberta, ATCO or ENMAX) to book the disconnect and reconnect, pull the permit, and book the safety codes inspection. You don't deal with three separate parties, you deal with us.

What kind of commercial work do you take on?

We do new construction, tenant fit-outs and improvements, lighting upgrades to LED, power distribution, controls and automation, and ongoing maintenance contracts. We've got strong experience on Alberta oil and gas sites and on light-industrial premises, plus retail and office fit-outs across Calgary.

Do you carry the safety paperwork for oil and gas sites?

Yes. We're COR-ready, carry $5 million liability, keep WCB current, and our crew holds the standard safety tickets (CSTS, H2S, ground disturbance, fall protection) needed for oil and gas and industrial sites. We can provide the safety package up front for any site that requires it.

Can you work around our operating hours?

Yes. We schedule commercial work around your trading or operating hours wherever possible. That includes after-hours, overnight, and weekend work for retail and hospitality clients who can't take downtime during the day. Just let us know your constraints up front.

Do you take on small commercial service calls?

Yes. Many of our long-term commercial relationships started with a single service call. Whether it's a tripping breaker in a retail store, a controls fault on a light-industrial line, or a power-quality issue affecting equipment, we're happy to come out, diagnose and fix it.

What is the minimum job size?

Commercial service calls typically start around $500 including travel and the first hour on site. There's no project minimum on quoted work; we'll happily look at small jobs and big ones. Anything that needs a permit or design work, we'll scope and quote in writing.

Is access control complicated to manage day to day?

It's very simple. You assign each person their own credential (fob, card or mobile), you decide which doors they can access and at what times, and if someone leaves you just deactivate them. No locksmith, no rekeying, no lost-key drama. We train your admin staff during commissioning.

Is access control worth the investment for a small business?

For most premises with more than two or three users, yes. Access control systems vary depending on door count and reader type, but most small businesses invest anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 for a basic setup. The ROI shows up fast through avoided rekeying costs, faster admin, and tighter incident logging.

What credentials can I issue?

All three of the common types: physical fobs, printed cards, and mobile credentials on a smartphone. Most clients pick a mix; admin staff and contractors often get a fob, members or tenants get a mobile credential. We can change credential types per user without replacing hardware.

Does it work with my existing door hardware?

In most cases yes. Standard mag-locks, electric strikes and electric latches all integrate with modern access controllers. We assess your existing door hardware on the site visit and tell you exactly what (if anything) needs replacing, and what stays.

Can the system integrate with intercom or video?

Yes. Modern access platforms integrate with video doorbell systems, full IP CCTV, and SIP-based intercom. If you want a single platform that handles entry credentials, video verification at the door, and an audit trail for incidents, we'll scope that on the site visit.

What's the upfront cost of a residential solar system?

Most residential systems range from $7,000 to $30,000 depending on system size and energy usage. The number that actually matters is your net cost after federal and provincial incentives plus your long-term bill savings; we model both so you can see real payback figures before you commit.

Is solar reliable in Alberta?

Yes. Alberta is actually one of the better places in Canada for solar because we get a lot of sunshine hours through the year. Cold temperatures also improve panel efficiency, so the cold-but-sunny winter days that frustrate other heating systems are actually a strength for solar generation.

What incentives are available?

Federal: the Clean Energy Investment Tax Credit. Provincial: various micro-generation arrangements coordinated through your utility (FortisAlberta, ATCO, ENMAX or EPCOR). Programs evolve, so we keep on top of the current list and walk you through what applies to your address on the site visit.

How long does a solar install take?

Most residential installs are on the roof in one to three days. Add a week or two for the utility-side coordination: the bidirectional meter swap, net metering paperwork, and inspection. We project-manage all of that, so you have a single point of contact through the whole process.

Can the system be expanded or paired with a battery later?

Yes. We design every system with future expansion in mind. Battery storage can be added later without ripping out the wiring, and a Level 2 EV charger can be integrated cleanly with the solar production. If you're working towards full home electrification, tell us, and we'll design the first install to support the second and third.

Do you handle the net metering and utility paperwork?

Yes. We coordinate the bidirectional meter swap and the micro-generation paperwork with whichever utility serves your address. That's been our default since our first install; we know the process for FortisAlberta, ATCO and ENMAX. You don't deal with the utility directly unless you want to.