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Ann's Story
For over 40 years, Ann has lived in her Tyrolean-style home—a sanctuary filled with memories of her late husband, who chose it for its unique charm. With a heart condition, this house is more than a home; it's her safe haven. ❤
After my dad passed, she saved some money for two small renovations—a laundry room and a safe bathroom she could use to her liking as she ages.
Instead, a licensed contractor left her with crumbling walls, a high risk of mold and rot, and a bathroom she's afraid to enter.
️️ How We Got Here
We hired a contractor licensed by Quebec's construction board (RBQ) and paid $85/hour, backed by a one-year warranty, for what was supposed to be a straightforward renovation of our laundry room and bathroom. However, the experience turned out to be quite different. Instead, he:
• Removed the vapor barrier, trapping moisture in the walls
• Rebuilt an exterior wall below safety codes
• His offer? A mere $1,000 or cosmetic fixes—far short of the thousands needed to fix the full scope of damage.
A licensed engineer confirmed the dangers: mold growth, structural instability, and air quality risks that could worsen Mom's heart condition.
The System That Was Supposed to Protect Us… Didn’t
According to the RBQ’s own rules, our claim meets every single requirement:
✔Licensed contractor at the time of work
✔Written contract with matching licence number
✔Proven loss from poor workmanship and defects found within the warranty period
✔Evidence from a licensed engineer and documented repair estimates
All within the legal time limits and even despite the contractor’s written admission, the engineer’s report, and clear photo evidence, we were told:
“We can’t force repairs — even when our licensee violates building code.” — RBQ
“You’ll need to take him to court if you want to access the $40,000 insurance bond.” — FACCQ
Even though the RBQ and the contractor’s insurance are pushing us toward court, we are not going because they know there is no guarantee of winning, even in small claims. Let’s be realistic—given the contractor’s ties in the community, there’s a real concern that personal influence could work in his favor, especially since the RBQ seemed willing to overlook clear violations of the National Building Code.
Updated Goal: $6,800 to Rebuild Safely
Thanks to the generosity of a skilled helper we previously worked with, who is donating their labor, we’ve been able to reduce our total costs dramatically.
We now need help covering only the out-of-pocket expenses:
• Materials (tiles, grout, paint, brushes, rollers, drywall, cement board, vapor barrier, insulation): $2,000
• Engineer oversight & inspections (including previous reports): $4,400
• RBQ revision request fees: $400
Total: $6,800
Your Impact
Every dollar helps us:
• Give Ann a safe home she can use with confidence
• Prevent mold and rot before it’s too late
• Shine a light on Quebec’s broken system that fails seniors and homeowners
Transparency
I’m asking the RBQ to hold the contractor accountable. If I do receive money from that process, it will help cover the costs I’ve already paid for repairs — ensuring your donations went directly to getting the work done right away.
How to Help
[DONATE NOW] – Every contribution gets us closer to $6,800
Share this story – Tag with #ContractorAccountability to help us reach those who care about seniors’ and homeowners’ rights
⚖️ RBQ Final Decision (The decision, resembles a judgment despite being made without a court hearing and without transparency.)
Organizer
