Quick answer: An Electrical Planning Report (EPR) is a document that BC law now requires most strata corporations with five or more lots to obtain. It assesses your building’s current electrical capacity and future demand (EV chargers, heat pumps, electrification). Stratas in Kelowna and the rest of the Okanagan must have their EPR by December 31, 2028. Pfitztech Electrical & Data prepares fixed-fee EPRs and EV-Ready Plans for stratas across the Okanagan. Call (250) 575-5721 or request a quote.
EPR at a glance
| What | Electrical Planning Report (EPR) required under BC’s Strata Property Act |
| Who needs it | Strata corporations in BC with 5 or more strata lots (some exemptions apply, e.g. bare-land stratas) |
| Okanagan deadline | December 31, 2028 (Metro Vancouver, Fraser Valley & Capital Regional District deadline was December 31, 2026) |
| Validity | Must be retained and kept current — plan for an update at least every 5 years |
| Typical cost in BC | $5,000–$12,000 depending on building size and complexity — be cautious of quotes under $3,000 |
| Who can prepare it | A qualified person — Pfitztech prepares EPRs under our licensed electrical contractor (FSR) for Part 9 buildings, with partner electrical engineers for Part 3 high-rises |
What is an Electrical Planning Report?
An Electrical Planning Report is a professional assessment of a strata building’s electrical system, mandated by amendments to BC’s Strata Property Act. It documents how much electrical capacity your building has today, how much is being used, and how much will be needed as owners add EV charging, heat pumps, air conditioning, and other electric equipment — then recommends what upgrades (if any) are needed to get there.
Does our strata need an EPR, and by when?
If your strata corporation has five or more strata lots, you almost certainly need one. Stratas in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and the Capital Regional District were required to have their EPR by December 31, 2026. Stratas everywhere else in BC — including Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Vernon, Penticton, and the rest of the Okanagan — must have theirs by December 31, 2028. An EPR is also a practical prerequisite for handling owner EV-charging requests, which strata councils must respond to within strict timelines.
What does an Electrical Planning Report include?
- The current capacity of the building’s electrical system (service size, main distribution)
- Existing demands on that capacity, based on utility consumption data and site inspection
- Anticipated future demand — EV charging, heat pumps/cooling, electrified heating and appliances
- How much spare capacity is available today
- Recommended upgrades, load-management (EVEMS) options, and cost considerations to meet future demand
How much does an EPR cost?
Across BC, professionally prepared EPRs typically run $5,000–$12,000 depending on building type, size, and how many electrical rooms and metering points are involved. Pfitztech quotes a fixed fee up front — no hourly surprises — and our streamlined reporting process keeps us at the efficient end of that range. Industry guidance suggests treating quotes under $3,000 with caution, as they may not meet the regulation’s requirements.
EV-Ready Plans and rebates: get much of it funded
If your strata is also planning for EV charging, pairing the EPR with an EV Ready Plan is the smart move — BC Hydro rebates cover 75% of an EV Ready Plan (up to $3,000), 50% of EV-Ready infrastructure (up to $600 per stall, $120,000 max per building), and 50% of networked Level 2 chargers (up to $2,000 per charger, $14,000 max). Kelowna-area stratas in FortisBC electric territory may qualify for additional FortisBC charger rebates. We prepare both documents from a single site visit and handle the rebate paperwork.
Why choose Pfitztech for your strata’s EPR?
- Licensed electrical contractor (FSR) — not a consultant who has never opened a panel. We inspect, measure, and stand behind the report.
- One visit, multiple deliverables — EPR, EV Ready Plan, and an optional maintenance/insurability review together.
- Local — Kelowna-based, serving stratas across the Okanagan. We know FortisBC and BC Hydro territories, Technical Safety BC permitting, and local installers’ real costs.
- Fixed-fee, fast turnaround — modern, systemized report production; most reports delivered within 4–6 weeks of the site visit.
- Part 3 buildings covered — for high-rises requiring an engineer’s report, we work with partner electrical engineers and manage the process end to end.
Our process
- Scope & fixed quote — tell us your building count, lot count, and address; we confirm your deadline and quote a fixed fee.
- Records & consumption review — we gather electrical drawings, utility data, and any past reports.
- Site visit — a licensed electrician inspects your service, distribution, and metering (typically half a day; no power interruption).
- Report delivery — your council receives the EPR (and EV Ready Plan if bundled), presented in plain English, with a prioritized recommendation list.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Electrical Planning Report legally required in Kelowna?
Yes — stratas with 5+ lots in the Okanagan must obtain an EPR by December 31, 2028 under BC’s Strata Property Act. Lower Mainland and Victoria-area stratas had a December 31, 2026 deadline.
Who is allowed to prepare an EPR?
The regulation requires a “qualified person.” For Part 9 buildings (most townhouse and low-rise stratas), a licensed electrical professional can prepare the report; Part 3 buildings (generally over 3 storeys or 600 m²) require an electrical engineer or applied science technologist. Pfitztech covers both — directly for Part 9, and with partner engineers for Part 3.
How long does an EPR take?
Typically 4–6 weeks from site visit to delivered report, depending on how quickly utility consumption data is available.
Does the EPR force our strata to do upgrades?
No. The EPR is a planning document — it tells you what capacity you have and what future demand looks like. Any upgrades remain the strata’s decision.
Can the EPR and EV Ready Plan be done together?
Yes, and it usually saves money — one site visit covers both, and the EV Ready Plan is 75% rebated (up to $3,000) by BC Hydro.
What happens if we miss the deadline?
Non-compliance exposes the strata council to owner disputes and complications with EV-charging requests, insurance reviews, and depreciation-report alignment. With the 2028 deadline and limited qualified providers in the Interior, booking early avoids the rush.
Get your fixed-fee EPR quote: call (250) 575-5721 or use our contact form. Serving strata corporations in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Lake Country, Vernon, Penticton, and across the Okanagan.