Home reno co. bankruptcy ripoffs Calgarians including Brendan Morrison

[Locke]

Originally Posted by flaming_potato

I have had clients like what you stated. Unfortunately it's part of the buisness and in those cases where touch up's or repairs are needed after the job has been completed we provide a service contract in which everything that needs to be done in order for the client to release the final payment is listed and signed once completed and inspected. Now this doesn't always go ad planned and some clients can have unrealistic expectations and are never happy (I blame Mike Holmes and HGTV) and we bend over backwards to get paid. And funny that even people with TV shows end up screwing people over. Makes our jobs harder.

Dont even get me started on Mike F###ing Holmes!

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by speede5

"on the side" as in it's not my full time job, and yes I have insurance and license.

We can't all be Mike Holmes, but that doesn't mean we're all ripping people off.

Happy to hear that.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by speede5

"on the side" as in it's not my full time job, and yes I have insurance and license.

We can't all be Mike Holmes, but that doesn't mean we're all ripping people off.

If you don't know what a prepaid contractor's license is, it's a safe bet you don't have one. It's a license you get from the province that requires you to place a surety bond and go through various background checks so that the public can confidently and legally give you a deposit before work begins. If you've accepted deposits without one you're guilty of operating without a prepaid contractor's license and likely several counts of fraud as well. Lots of people do it but lots of people also get caught in stings. And as more people become aware of this requirements, more complaints are filed.

It's also one thing to have liability insurance, another thing to have WCB, and another thing to know what they are used for. Having insurance is fine unless you're performing work you're not qualified for. If you burn a house down because you wired it improperly and you're not an electrician, your insurance is pointless. If you hire an electrician and he/she kills him/herself you'd better have the right type of WCB.

In general you're probably a good guy but when push comes to shove I guarantee you're not going to reach into your life savings, pull out 20-50-100k just to make things right with someone you've, for whatever reason, have harmed. That's why the proper licenses, warranties and insurances exist.

I always thought HOH was the greatest thing for the contracting business. Just explain that you're more than happy to "Make It Right" and here is the corresponding bill.

[calgarywinning]

You engage a contractor there should never be a deposit as a homeowner. Basically, interim financing through use of credit and good business practise allows credible contractors to finance the beginning of the project. The labour cost aspect is quickly demonstrated by milestones and completion of proper work (which should be inspected by homeowner and third party agent always) only then should the homeowner pay.

If a contractor cannot provide this the red flags should be raised. I cannot believe how many people got ripped of by this contractor, including trades that he strung along. He is a complete crook. Mostly we have to feel bad for the people who spent their life savings and received nothing in return.

[calgarywinning]

Double post.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

If you don't know what a prepaid contractor's license is, it's a safe bet you don't have one. It's a license you get from the province that requires you to place a surety bond and go through various background checks so that the public can confidently and legally give you a deposit before work begins. If you've accepted deposits without one you're guilty of operating without a prepaid contractor's license and likely several counts of fraud as well. Lots of people do it but lots of people also get caught in stings. And as more people become aware of this requirements, more complaints are filed.

It's also one thing to have liability insurance, another thing to have WCB, and another thing to know what they are used for. Having insurance is fine unless you're performing work you're not qualified for. If you burn a house down because you wired it improperly and you're not an electrician, your insurance is pointless. If you hire an electrician and he/she kills him/herself you'd better have the right type of WCB.

In general you're probably a good guy but when push comes to shove I guarantee you're not going to reach into your life savings, pull out 20-50-100k just to make things right with someone you've, for whatever reason, have harmed. That's why the proper licenses, warranties and insurances exist.

I always thought HOH was the greatest thing for the contracting business. Just explain that you're more than happy to "Make It Right" and here is the corresponding bill.

Yes, I googled that insurance and it's an Alberta deal. I'm in Sk. Being so critical I thought you might have picked up on that. And your making a lot of assumptions. I carry liability insurance that covers everything I work on. Funny you mention electrical, it's funny just how many homeowners ask you to do things out of scope, and how often you get the old "are you sure we need a permit?" or "do we really need an electrician for that?"

I don't carry WCB for subcontractors, and I don't have employees.

And I have a lot of happy return customers, so I'll take their opinion over yours any day of the week. But thanks for your concerns. You do bring up lots of good points related to the thread, just wish you'd point them in some other direction.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by speede5

Yes, I googled that insurance and it's an Alberta deal. I'm in Sk. Being so critical I thought you might have picked up on that. And your making a lot of assumptions. I carry liability insurance that covers everything I work on. Funny you mention electrical, it's funny just how many homeowners ask you to do things out of scope, and how often you get the old "are you sure we need a permit?" or "do we really need an electrician for that?"

I don't carry WCB for subcontractors, and I don't have employees.

And I have a lot of happy return customers, so I'll take their opinion over yours any day of the week. But thanks for your concerns. You do bring up lots of good points related to the thread, just wish you'd point them in some other direction.

Well, it is a thread about a Calgary contractor on a site dedicated to the Calgary Flames. And I'm pretty sure Sask has a form of bond to post as well if you're going to solicit business and deposits from people. Anyway, glad your customers are happy.

Actually, not that I care, but I guess you need a Direct Seller's License from the Sask gov. That requires a bond. As well, you're not allowed to charge more than 15% of the total quote as an initial deposit.

http://www.justice.gov.sk.ca/Direct-Sellers-Act

If you keep charging 50% deposits before you begin work, a happy customer is going to have his/her way with you one day.

You don't have to carry WCB for contractors, but they must have their own. You also have to have it. It really is crazy not to have that in place all the time. You're playing with other people's money here.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by OMG!WTF!

Well, it is a thread about a Calgary contractor on a site dedicated to the Calgary Flames. And I'm pretty sure Sask has a form of bond to post as well if you're going to solicit business and deposits from people. Anyway, glad your customers are happy.

Actually, not that I care, but I guess you need a Direct Seller's License from the Sask gov. That requires a bond. As well, you're not allowed to charge more than 15% of the total quote as an initial deposit.

http://www.justice.gov.sk.ca/Direct-Sellers-Act

If you keep charging 50% deposits before you begin work, a happy customer is going to have his/her way with you one day.

You don't have to carry WCB for contractors, but they must have their own. You also have to have it. It really is crazy not to have that in place all the time. You're playing with other people's money here.

Did you stay at a holiday inn express last night?

I know Google is making you an expert but you are on the wrong track. I am not a direct seller. I'd also appreciate you stop with the witchhunt, I don't know what I did to you but you've really got to stop. I made a comment on a situation, agree or don't, I don't care, but trying to tear me down on a forum when you don't have the first clue about me or what I do is totally uncalled for.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by speede5

Did you stay at a holiday inn express last night?

I know Google is making you an expert but you are on the wrong track. I am not a direct seller. I'd also appreciate you stop with the witchhunt, I don't know what I did to you but you've really got to stop. I made a comment on a situation, agree or don't, I don't care, but trying to tear me down on a forum when you don't have the first clue about me or what I do is totally uncalled for.

Yeah, sorry about that. You asked so I thought you wanted to know. And for the record, you most definitely are a direct seller. You should at very least know what risk you are taking. If you have an unhappy client one day you will be paying fines and losing judgements all day long. The WCB thing is a pet peeve. You have no right to risk other people's financial well being just because you're unwilling to follow the rules. But anyway your gig not mine, witch hunt over.

[speede5]

For the record, I am most definately not. I do not sell door to door, I am not a solicitor.

You don't know what you're talking about.

[OMG!WTF!]

Originally Posted by speede5

For the record, I am most definately not. I do not sell door to door, I am not a solicitor.

You don't know what you're talking about.

I don't know. Maybe. If you take part in "constructing, altering, renovating, maintaining, repairing, adding to or improving a building that is used or is to be used as a house by the owner, occupier or person in control of it; or (ii) altering, maintaining or improving real property to be used in connection with a house" you are considered a "direct sales contractor" and are subject to the requirements of this act. Another shorter definition is anyone who "adds goods or services to a real property". Is this what you do? People not requiring a license include people selling newspapers, water, lumber, stuff grown on a farm, stock animals, grain....not seeing construction contractors there. So I'm going to say yes, you are required.

http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/En...atutes/D28.pdf

We have regulations for just about everything over $100 in value. Why would contractors be allowed to sell goods and services willy nilly?

[speede5]

Ok, well I actually called the office that issues the license and they confirmed it is for people who solicit, go door to door, cold call, etc.

I am excempt because I do not approach the customer. I do not advertise. I am completely referal, my customers come to me. It doesn't apply to storefront, dealerships, etc, where the customer approaches the vendor. Now, if I was doing a roof on a house, and saw the neighbors roof needed repair, and approached them I would fall under that rule, however I don't operate that way.

So, once again, you don't know what your talking about. If you're going to throw someone under the bus don't cherry pick off the internet and put your interpertation on it. I expect more considering you are the one critiqing validity and all.