If you are ever in the process of buying or selling a manufactured home you may hear that your mobile home requires Silver Label Re-certification. And if you’ve never had to re-certify a mobile home then this can seem like a huge and confusing process. But here at Blue Crest Electric our electricians are licensed and experienced in acquiring new Silver Labels for our clients. Our team is happy to help you through the intricate process and the electrical requirements for Silver Label Re-Certification.
What is Silver Label Re-certification?
Silver label re-certification is the process of applying for a Silver Label that attaches to the mobile / manufactured home. And it is recognized in B.C. as a substitute for CSA which is recognized Canada wide.
What is CSA?
(CSA) stands for Canadian Standards Association.
CSA is a seal of authority that the government requires on all electrical products. Its requirement ensures that the product is safe for installation in your home. Products such as light fixtures, ceiling fans, and mobile homes require a CSA label/sticker prior to being sold in Canada. Each label has a unique number showing that the product or home has proper registration.
It is not a wise practice, but you can purchase counterfeit light bulbs, fixtures, ceiling fans, etc. that don’t have the CSA label. However, when it comes to a mobile home, which is a larger purchase, you will not be able to sell your home without the correct documentation. We recommend purchasing electrical products that have the CSA label on both the box and on the product itself. Our Blue Crest electricians legally cannot and will not install electrical products that don’t have proper Canadian certification.
What is the difference between a CSA Label and a Silver Label?
CSA Label
The CSA label is the original certification label on the mobile home, this label is placed on the manufactured home once it is built. It only verifies the electrical work on the mobile home, it does not cover certification for the plumbing or any other area of the home.
Please note, Blue Crest Electric does NOT provide assessments for obtaining an original CSA label. The CSA label must be placed on the home by the manufacturer.
Silver Label
If the CSA label goes missing or is illegible than you must apply for a Silver Label. The Silver Label is issued by Technical Safety B.C., and it certifies that the mobile home has been brought up to the present-day electrical Code requirements. It also provides the buyer with peace of mind in knowing that a licensed electrician has checked all the electrical within the home.
Re-certifying Outside of British Columbia
Please note that this Silver Label Re-certification process is only referring to the province of British Columbia. Re-certifying your mobile home in other areas of the country may involve a different process and other specific requirements.
If you live outside of B.C., we recommend contacting a local electrician in your province and asking them if they have any experience in mobile home re-certification.
Try contacting your city hall and ask them if there are any specific requirements for your province and local area.
Why does my Mobile home even need to have a Silver Label?
As we all know, electricity is dangerous if it is not managed and used correctly. This is why the government of British Columbia requires every mobile home to have an attached and valid CSA or Silver label. A valid label tells the new homeowner that the home maintains the electrical Code requirements for mobile homes.
Who is Responsible for Maintaining a Valid CSA or Obtaining a Silver Label?
The CSA label or the Silver Label is the responsibility of the seller.
Whether you’re selling or buying a home, it’s a wise decision to double check with your realtor as to whether the home’s CSA label is still valid and present on the unit. With many items involved on the selling checklist, whether the home has a CSA label can sometimes slip through the cracks. Last minute re-certification can cause both the buyer and the seller grief as you try to arrange for an electrical assessment, possible repairs, and the process of paperwork.
Reasons why your Mobile Home CSA Label may be Void:
The removal of the label from the mobile home. Often in the process of residing the exterior of a mobile home the label becomes lost or damaged. If so, the home requires Silver Label Re-certification before you can sell it.
The CSA label is not legible. If you cannot clearly read the label on the mobile home than the home requires Silver Label Re-certification.
There have been electrical renovations, alterations, modifications, or any changes made to the home without an electrical permit.
Exception to Re-certifying your Entire Mobile Home.
If the CSA or Silver Label are still present and intact, and electrical changes have been done without a permit, then an electrician will only have to inspect the areas updated without a permit. This is why it is so important to hire a licensed and certified electrician who will pull the proper permits. Doing things, the right way the first time will save you money overall. It is never wise to cut corners with electrical work. I know my mobile home requires Silver Label Re-certification, What now? If you or your realtor know that your mobile home requires a Silver Label Re-certification than there are some steps, you can take...
First, you should contact a local licensed and certified electrician who has experience in performing re-certifications for mobile homes.
Once the electrical appointment is set, ensure that the electrician can have access to every outlet, light switch, light fixture, and the electrical panel.
After the electrician finishes the electrical assessment, provide them with any details he may require about the manufacturer, serial number, and model number.
Then approve the estimate for any electrical repairs. The repairs require completion prior to your electrician submitting the Silver Label Re-certification paperwork to Technical Safety B.C.
Once submitted to Technical Safety B.C., an electrical inspector will call you and arrange a time to view your mobile home. If the electrical repairs are up to Code, then he will attach the Silver Label to your mobile home.
You can now sell your home. At Blue Crest Electric Ltd. our team is more than happy to help you through the Silver Label Re-Certification process. Our electricians do a thorough inspection of all your home’s electrical and complete any required electrical repairs. We also process the permits and re-certification paperwork on your behalf. We aim to provide our clients with peace of mind knowing that their electrical is up to Code and that they can rest easy as we navigate through this process.