Tourism & Hospitality Electrical Services

The Challenge

A family-owned 24-room motel near Cultus Lake had operated with its original 1970s electrical infrastructure for over four decades. The property — popular with summer tourists visiting the lake and waterpark — faced increasing pressure: aluminum wiring throughout guest rooms, no GFCI protection in bathrooms, an undersized 200A service that couldn't support modern in-room amenities, and a fire alarm system that no longer met current BC Building Code requirements for transient accommodation.

The owner needed the renovation completed during the off-season window — mid-October through February — without fail. Any delay past March would mean cancelling confirmed spring bookings and losing peak-season revenue. Additionally, the motel had to remain partially operational during renovations, with 8 rooms available for long-term winter guests throughout the project.

Our Approach

• Designed a 400A, 120/240V single-phase service upgrade with a new main switchboard, including load calculations that accounted for future hot tub, EV charger, and commercial laundry additions — ensuring the electrical infrastructure would serve the property for decades.
• Completed a full guest room rewire — 24 rooms stripped to the studs while preserving original coved ceilings — with new copper branch circuits, tamper-resistant receptacles, GFCI-protected bathroom circuits, hardwired smoke/CO detectors in every sleeping unit, and dedicated circuits for PTAC heating/cooling units and mini-fridges.
• Installed a new addressable fire alarm system with smoke and heat detection in all guest rooms, corridors, laundry, mechanical rooms, and office — interconnected with visual notification appliances for accessibility compliance and monitored by a ULC-listed central station.
• Replaced all corridor and exterior emergency lighting, installed LED exit signage with battery backup, and conducted full system verification testing documented per Technical Safety BC and National Fire Code requirements.
• Coordinated phased construction with the general contractor — isolating occupied guest wings from construction zones with temporary power distribution, maintaining fire watch during alarm system cutover, and achieving first-pass approval on all Technical Safety BC inspections.

The Result

The renovation was completed on February 14th — two weeks ahead of schedule — giving the owner additional time for painting, flooring, and furnishing before the spring bookings began. Every Technical Safety BC inspection passed on the first visit. The fire alarm system received its ULC verification certificate, and the owner's insurance provider reduced the property's annual premium by 12% based on the documented electrical and fire safety upgrades.

The motel now operates with modern electrical infrastructure that supports guest room air conditioning, Wi-Fi access points, USB charging, and future EV charger installations — amenities today's guests expect. CN Electrical continues to provide annual fire alarm testing and preventative maintenance for the property.

"We were nervous about the scope of this renovation — 24 rooms, fire alarm, all on a tight winter deadline. Chris and his crew were exceptional. They communicated every step of the way, kept the occupied rooms powered and safe, and actually finished early. Our inspector said it was one of the cleanest hospitality electrical jobs he'd seen. We've already recommended CN Electrical to two other motel owners in the valley."