CALGARY – Seven contractors have been charged under the province’s consumer protection law after an undercover sting in Calgary and Edmonton.
Investigators from Service Alberta posed as homeowners and asked a total of 24 contractors to come to homes in both cities to negotiate home renovations.
So far seven contractors have been charged under the Fair Trading Act and Service Alberta says some of the remaining contractors could face fines.
“Contractors who try to take advantage of honest, hard-working Albertans should be forewarned that this government has strict consumer protection rules,” says Manmeet Bhullar, Minister of Service Alberta, said in a media release. “We will enforce them to the full extent of the law.”
READ MORE: Unlicensed contractors charged after Global News investigation
The province launched the sting operation in August as homeowners in flood-damaged communities were hiring contractors to help them rebuild; some contractors were going door-to-door seeking business.
Contractors who ask for payment before work is completed are supposed to have a prepaid contracting licence. They are also required to post security and arrange a written contract that includes an itemized price list, start and completion dates and a statement of consumers’ cancellation rights.
For tips on a hiring a home renovator, CLICK HERE.
To find out if a prepaid contractor is licensed, SEARCH ONLINE HERE.
The following contractors have been charged as a result of the sting operation:
CALGARY
Martin Wojcik- operating without a prepaid contractor licence.
Buildmaster Services Ltd.- operating without a prepaid contractor licence.
Mario Antonacci (a.k.a. Andreas Pirelli) – operating without a prepaid contractor licence.
EDMONTON
Kevin Wiebe – operating without a prepaid contractor licence.
Abel Ramirez Cruz- operating without a prepaid contractor licence; using a contract that does not comply with legislated requirements and misrepresenting a qualification, approval, status or affiliation.
Dale Haggerty- operating without a prepaid contractor licence and using a contract that does not comply with legislated requirements.
Khaled Saleh, Skyland Landscaping Ltd.- operating without a prepaid contractor licence and using a contract that does not comply with legislated requirements.
Comments