Houle
Houle is an employee-owned electrical contractor and systems integrator founded in 1944, serving as Western Canada's largest integrated electrical and technology solutions provider across 10 BC offices and approximately 1,000 employees, delivering design-build, construction, and 24/7 maintenance services to healthcare, institutional, commercial, industrial, and residential clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1944
- HeadquartersBurnaby, Canada
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Houle does
Houle is a British Columbia-based electrical contractor and systems integrator, founded in 1944 in Port Alberni and headquartered in Burnaby. It operates as Western Canada's largest provider of integrated electrical and technology solutions, employing approximately 1,000 people across 10 regional offices and a fleet of 270+ service vehicles. The company has been employee-owned since 1980, when it was sold to 12 employees, and has held Platinum status in Canada's Best Managed Companies program for 14 consecutive years.
The company delivers projects through an integrated model combining pre-construction services (estimating, value engineering, design-assist, design-build, BIM/VDC coordination), project delivery (electrical distribution, lighting, fire alarm, structured cabling, building controls, healthcare technology, security), and post-construction service (preventative maintenance, 24/7 emergency response, commissioning). It acts as both prime contractor and subcontractor on large-scale infrastructure, with project values ranging from service-level work to over $100M (e.g., Royal Columbian Hospital Phase 2 at $108M). Core technology platforms include BIM/CAD coordination with 3D trade clash detection, prefabrication in a controlled environment, in-house VDC, and certified dealer partnerships with Schneider Electric (EcoStruxure), Reliable Controls, and Belimo for building automation. The firm is a union employer hiring through IBEW Locals 213, 230, 993, and 1003, holds COR certification since 2009, and is pre-qualified through ISNetworld and ContractorCheck.
Revenue is generated through three streams: project-based electrical construction (one-time, custom-priced contracts), recurring service and maintenance agreements (subscription-style service contracts plus 24/7 emergency response), and pre-construction design-build/design-assist services. The company serves five primary segments—institutional (healthcare, education, government), commercial and mixed-use, industrial and infrastructure, defence, and residential—with named institutional clients including Fraser Health Authority, Island Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, Northern Health, BC Hydro, TransLink, Simon Fraser University, Apple Inc., and BC Pavilion Corporation. Geographic operations are concentrated entirely within British Columbia, with no disclosed expansion outside the province.
Houle firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Houle
- Legal name
- Houle
- Website
- https://houle.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1944
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Houle is an employee-owned electrical contractor and systems integrator founded in 1944, serving as Western Canada's largest integrated electrical and technology solutions provider across 10 BC offices and approximately 1,000 employees, delivering design-build, construction, and 24/7 maintenance services to healthcare, institutional, commercial, industrial, and residential clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Houle is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burnaby
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
Houle business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Electrical Construction Services: As a general/electrical contractor, Houle generates revenue primarily through project-based electrical and technology construction for new builds and redevelopments. Revenue is earned as a prime contractor or subcontractor on large-scale infrastructure, commercial, institutional, industrial, residential, and defence projects across BC, with project values ranging from thousands to over $100 million (e.g., Royal Columbian Hospital at $108M).
- Service, Maintenance & Emergency Response: Ongoing revenue from service agreements, preventative maintenance contracts, and 24/7 emergency electrical service delivered across BC with a fleet of 270+ service vehicles. Revenue is recurring from established client facilities under service contracts and on-demand from emergency call-outs.
- Design-Build and Design-Assist Pre-Construction Services: Revenue generated during the pre-construction phase through estimating, value engineering, and design-assist/design-build services. Integrated service delivery allows multi-discipline scope within a single estimate.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Project-based custom pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
Houle product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Houle is an electrical contractor and systems integrator that designs, installs, and maintains integrated electrical and technology systems for commercial, institutional, industrial, defence, and residential projects across British Columbia. The company operates as both prime contractor and subcontractor on large-scale construction projects and provides ongoing service, preventative maintenance, and 24/7 emergency response through a 270+ service vehicle fleet. Its delivery model combines pre-construction (estimating, BIM/CAD coordination, design-assist, design-build), project execution, and post-construction service as a single-point-of-contact offering.
Product overview
Houle is an electrical contractor and systems integrator providing integrated electrical and technology solutions across Western Canada. The company operates as a unified service provider offering three interconnected core service pillars: Electrical Services (power distribution, lighting, fire alarm, EV charging), Technology Services (security, structured cabling, building controls, healthcare technology), and Maintenance Services (preventative maintenance, emergency service, upgrades). Additional specialized offerings include 24hr Emergency Service, Backup Power solutions, Energy Management, and Residential Services. These services work together as an integrated delivery model where Houle provides single-point-of-contact solutions from pre-construction design-assist through installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Electrical Services Custom electrical solutions for commercial, institutional, industrial, defence, and residential projects, including electrical distribution, lighting, fire alarm, EV charging, and EV ready planning. Includes electrical design, installation, and maintenance delivered as prime contractor or subcontractor.
- Technology Services In-house systems integration providing full lifecycle management of security, structured cabling, building controls, and healthcare technology solutions, including estimation, design, installation, and upgrades for commercial, institutional, and healthcare facilities.
- Maintenance Services Quality maintenance solutions for new and existing facilities, including preventative maintenance, insurance requirement compliance, and electrical and technology systems upgrades to prevent costly shutdowns and keep facilities operating smoothly.
- Residential Services Licensed BC electricians serving homeowners and strata/residential property managers with service upgrades, electrical inspections, EV charging, heating and cooling, home renovations, appliance installations, permits, and wiring.
- 24-Hour Emergency Service 24-hour emergency electrical service across British Columbia with on-call technicians, a fleet of 270+ service vehicles, and a dedicated emergency dispatch team responding anytime, day or night.
- Backup Power Solutions Backup power solutions including generators, load banks, power distribution, power upgrades, transformers, UPS systems, and UPS testing and reporting to ensure seamless power supply and protect against outages.
- Building Controls
Quantifiable outcome
- Achieved 1-month ahead of substantial completion on Ksyen Regional Hospital project (2024)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Houle
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Houle technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature5 records
Houle partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Schneider ElectriccoreCertified building controls partner and dealer for Schneider Electric solutions including the EcoStruxure Building Operator platform used for building management and control systems (BMS) on projects such as the Simon Fraser University First Peoples' Gathering House. Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure platform manages HVAC, mechanical, and monitoring systems including gas detection, exhaust fans, fan coils, and BACnet integrations.
- Reliable ControlscoreCertified building controls partner and dealer for Reliable Controls building automation systems. Houle has been named Reliable Controls' Top Sales Dealer in Western Canada for consecutive years (2024, 2025), recognizing the dealer organization with the highest total Reliable Controls product sales in Western Canada.
- IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) — Local 213, 230, 993, 1003coreAs a union employer, Houle's electrical field positions are hired through IBEW. Houle recommends qualified electricians and all union positions are hired through the IBEW. Four local chapters cover Houle's geographic footprint: IBEW Local 213 (Lower Mainland & Kelowna), Local 230 (Vancouver Island), Local 993 (North BC & Yukon), and Local 1003 (Kootenay Region).
- Western JETSminorCollaboration partner in the Workplace Alternative Training (WATT) Program alongside IBEW Locals and the Construction Foundation of BC. The program aims to increase accessibility to electrical apprenticeships for Indigenous people, youth, and other underrepresented groups.
- Construction Foundation of BCminorPartner in the WATT Program alongside Western JETS and IBEW Locals, aimed at increasing accessibility to electrical apprenticeships for Indigenous people, youth, and other underrepresented groups in the construction industry.
- First Nations Capacity Fund (The Reach Group)minorContributing member of The Reach Group's First Nations Capacity Fund which promotes and advances training, employment, and education of Indigenous peoples, and helps build in-community economic development resources for Indigenous communities.
- British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA)minorMember of the British Columbia Construction Association — an industry association supporting the construction sector in BC.
- Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia (ECABC)minorMember of the Electrical Contractors Association of BC — an industry association for electrical contractors in the province.
- National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)minorMember of the National Electrical Contractors Association — a national industry association for electrical contractors.
- BC Hydro Power SmartminorBC Hydro Power Smart partner supporting energy efficiency programs and rebates for clients including LED lighting upgrades and energy management solutions.
- Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)minorMember of BOMA — an industry association for commercial real estate building owners and managers.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Houle competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- PCL Constructors: Largest Canadian general contractor with significant electrical and mechanical self-perform capabilities. Competes for the same large institutional and commercial projects as Houle, typically as prime contractor; useful as a peer for project scale and BC mega-project competition.
- EllisDon: Major Canadian construction services company with integrated mechanical/electrical capabilities and active BC presence. Competes with Houle for the same healthcare, institutional, and commercial project pipeline as a prime or subcontractor.
Direct peers
- Plan Group: Canadian multi-trade contractor specializing in electrical, technology, and systems integration for commercial, institutional, and industrial projects. Direct comparable to Houle in scope (electrical + low-voltage + building controls) and customer mix (healthcare, institutional, commercial) across Canada.
- MYR Group: North American electrical construction specialty contractor serving commercial, industrial, and utility markets. Comparable to Houle in core electrical contracting delivery, though geographically focused on the US; relevant for understanding publicly traded peer economics and risks.
- Black & McDonald: Long-established Canadian electrical, mechanical, and utility contractor with multi-province operations. Closely comparable to Houle in integrated multi-trade delivery, institutional client base, and unionized workforce model.
- Ainsworth (API Group subsidiary): Canadian-based electrical, mechanical, and building technology services provider. Comparable to Houle in offering integrated building services including building automation, HVAC, electrical, and multi-site service/maintenance for commercial and industrial customers.
Broad incumbents
- Quanta Services: Largest North American utility and infrastructure construction services provider. Overlaps with Houle's industrial/infrastructure work (BC Hydro substations, ports, energy projects) at a much broader scale and geographic footprint.
- Trane Technologies: Global climate and building solutions provider focused on HVAC, controls, and energy services. Adjacent competitor to Houle's building controls and energy management scope, particularly in institutional and healthcare facilities.
- Siemens Canada (Smart Infrastructure): Global building technologies and electrical infrastructure provider. Overlaps with Houle's building automation and electrical distribution work as both a manufacturer (partner) and integrator competitor across large institutional projects in Canada.
- Johnson Controls: Global building technology and controls provider with deep relationships in building automation, HVAC, fire alarm, and security. Competes with Houle's building controls/security scope as both a supplier and integrator across large institutional projects.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Houle social profiles
Digital presenceHoule compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Houle financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Houle leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Houle funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Houle M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Houle
What does Houle do?
Houle is an electrical contractor and systems integrator that designs, installs, and maintains integrated electrical and technology systems for commercial, institutional, industrial, defence, and residential projects across British Columbia. The company operates as both prime contractor and subcontractor on large-scale construction projects and provides ongoing service, preventative maintenance, and 24/7 emergency response through a 270+ service vehicle fleet. Its delivery model combines pre-construction (estimating, BIM/CAD coordination, design-assist, design-build), project execution, and post-construction service as a single-point-of-contact offering.
Is Houle a public or private company?
Houle is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Houle founded?
Houle was founded in 1944. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Houle based?
Houle is headquartered in Burnaby, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Houle make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Electrical Construction Services are the primary driver. The others are service, Maintenance & Emergency Response and design-Build and Design-Assist Pre-Construction Services.
Who are Houle's main competitors?
Others on record are PCL Constructors and EllisDon. Direct peers are Plan Group, MYR Group, Black & McDonald and Ainsworth (API Group subsidiary). Broad incumbents are Quanta Services, Trane Technologies, Siemens Canada (Smart Infrastructure) and Johnson Controls.
Does Houle have an API?
No public API is recorded for Houle.