Mohammed Qawasmi is having trouble with a series of contractors he’s hired to pave his driveway, build a retaining wall and change the grading on his front lawn. But his most frustrating battle is with Fernando DeFreitas, a contractor who accepted a $1,500 deposit but did no work in return.
“Nothing whatsoever, not even a piece of dirt lifted,” said Qawasmi, a retired restaurateur in Scarborough.
“I’d like to see him exposed to the public.”
Qawasmi says he hired DeFreitis because he saw him working on a project a few doors from his bungalow and the work looked good. He says he didn’t suspect he’d have any difficulties.
“He came inside the house, I served him coffee and he sat and said ‘I’ll do the job, give me some money,'” said Qawasmi.
The quote, for $5,000 last fall, included a new driveway, retaining wall and work on his yard.
READ MORE: Contractor charged with fraud after Global News investigation
He paid DeFreitas a $1,500 deposit and expected the work to begin soon after.
But Qawasmi says the contractor balked and backed away after a city of Toronto building inspector raised some issues about the project.
He says DeFreitas initially offered to refund the deposit, but later refused. Qawasmi is now suing the contractor in small claims court.
Global News watched DeFreitas meet a prospective homeowner to quote a project, including a driveway.
In less than three minutes, DeFreitas suggested the work would cost “about $10,000” and would require a deposit.
“I do cash jobs,” DeFreitas said, not realizing he was speaking to a Global News intern and the appraisal was being recorded on video.
WATCH: Contractor attacks TV crew when confronted over work
Shortly after, when confronted about why he was keeping Qawasmi’s deposit when no work was done, DeFreitas pointed to other contractors working on the man’s home.
“Four contractors worked that job, okay,” said DeFreitas, walking quickly back to his awaiting car.
However, Qawasmi says DeFreitas never performed any work or provided any services to justify retaining the deposit.
Later, contacted by Global News on the telephone, DeFreitas claimed he delivered a piece of construction equipment to the home. DeFreitas then hung up. Qawasmi says no equipment was delivered to his residence.
Qawasmi says he wants other homeowners to be aware of contractors promising work but not delivering. His small claims court action asks DeFreitas to return his money. But Qawasmi isn’t holding his breath.
“If it happens, we’ll throw a party and celebrate it.”
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