TORONTO – Karim Hajee stands in the backyard of his North York home on a renovation project that’s so far cost him $150,000.
A giant hole behind his house reminds him of the money that’s been sunk.
“It was a dream come true,” Hajee said of the decision to move ahead with the project with his wife and four children. Now, the dream is gone.
“It’s been shot,” he said
A few months after construction began, by digging the hole for a basement that would lead to an extension, and gutting the first-floor bungalow, the contractor has stopped work. It has left Hajee out of pocket and out of patience.
About 20 other homeowners are in the same boat as Hajee, who hired Toronto-based GarCon Building Group, run by Adam Gardin, a Michigan native.
“Our family is out $70,000 between money and damage done to our property,” said Greg Harris, another homeowner who hired GarCon. Miguel Padilla, yet another customer, said he “thought this was going to be an easy ride. It’s turned out to be a nightmare.”
Homeowners stood in protest in front of Gardin’s home early Monday, alongside several tradespeople who say they weren’t paid by GarCon.
“He owes $37,000,” said Hanna Taylor, with Hot-wire Electrical of Vaughan, who held a poster board with copies of several bounced cheques written by GarCon to her company over a two-year period.
Jason Ponikvar, a finish carpenter, worked directly for GarCon.
“I just left,” said Ponikvar, who says the company routinely did not pay employees on time, especially in recent months.
Homeowners estimate they have collectively spent about $1 million with GarCon this year.
Bryan Young began a third-floor home addition early last year.
“All I have is six posts in my basement and a pile of lumber and bunch of dirt,” Young said.
Gardin was not available to speak to reporters, homeowners or tradespeople. A Toronto police vehicle was parked near his home throughout the quiet protest.
In an open email, Gardin explained the collapse was unintentional.
“I am guilty of being a bad businessman, overly arrogant, and not effectively communicating my situation with those around me and my clients. However, I am not a thief. I have not defrauded anyone of the money they invested in me and my company,” he wrote.
But homeowners stuck having to pay living expenses because some of their properties are uninhabitable, as well as the cost of finishing their projects, disagree.
“He has lied to people, deceived people and maliciously took the money,” said Hajee, who is asking that a criminal investigation be launched.
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