CALGARY- A contractor is facing criminal charges, after being accused of taking $160,000 worth of deposits without a license.
In 2012, Service Alberta began investigating five complaints against Kieron Warren, the owner of Kreate Kitchens.
Two different homeowners told Global News that they had given Warren deposits for kitchen renovations, one totaling $28,000. The work was never completed, and their money was not returned.
It turns out Warren also operated a company called Hillcrest Renovations, and was previously charged for operating without a pre-paid contractors license. He was convicted, fined $7,000 and ordered to repay his victims.
In January, Warren was found guilty of taking $50,000 for renovation work in 2007 and 2008 without a pre-paid contractors license. He now faces additional charges including fraud, theft and misrepresenting how and when work would be done.
“During that year, it was just a nightmare,” says Brian Chubb, who gave Warren $28,000 for work that was never completed. “We were hoping for something to have happened sooner than this, but we understand that doing it right, it takes time.”
He adds that many consumers don’t realize that contractors need to be licensed and bonded with the province.
“We’ve talked with people who are getting their kitchens done or proposing to get renovations done on their home, and these people are just not aware of what the rules are with respect to contractors and having a prepaid contractor’s license, if you’re giving funds up front.”
The minister of Service Alberta adds that issues with contractors are a major problem in Alberta.
“The biggest issue I hear about from everyday Alberta homeowners is dealing with contractors and renovators, and I can’t be more clear about this,” says Manmeet Bhullar. “The government of Alberta takes this issue incredibly seriously, so if you’re taking fees upfront, you’d better be licensed.
“If you don’t, the government will investigate and will lay charges.”
Warren’s mother, Greta, is also facing charges, as she is named as a director of the company.
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