Aimee Carriere reflects that she overlooked proper research procedures when hiring a contractor, influenced by their mutual involvement in youth hockey. Despite his claimed connection to the HGTV show “Property Brothers,” she decided to trust Alan Hrehirchuk for minor home renovations. However, concerns arose in the following months as work delays, unpaid tradespeople, and missing purchases became apparent.
Ultimately, Carriere ended up paying $40,000 to Hrehirchuk, an additional $10,000 to unpaid tradespeople, and had to dip into her RRSPs to rectify the incomplete work. What was initially budgeted at $50,000 escalated to over double the cost. Feeling disheartened by the experience, Carriere sought police intervention after unsuccessful attempts to resolve issues with Hrehirchuk.
Hrehirchuk, who previously pleaded guilty to forgery in April 2024, faced new charges in July for fraud and non-compliance with a Service Alberta order. This order was issued due to his violation of the Consumer Protection Act by imposing unfair prepaid contracts on clients. Despite the legal consequences, Hrehirchuk’s lawyer declined to comment on the recent charges.
Carriere, now advocating for thorough background checks before hiring, emphasizes the importance of researching potential contractors. As Hrehirchuk faces his upcoming court appearance on August 26, the aftermath of his previous conviction continues to impact his clients, highlighting the need for caution in selecting service providers.