Consumer Alert - Unlicensed Prepaid Contractor Working in the Edmonton Area

For release Edmonton, February 8, 2001

Alberta Government Services warns all homeowners to be aware of an Edmonton-based home renovator named John Alexander Lazerman. The department has launched investigations in response to recent complaints from consumers, including seniors, in the Edmonton area.

Lazerman has a long history of convictions for operating without a licence and home renovation fraud. Alberta Government Services has a Restraining Order against Lazerman prohibiting him from operating in the prepaid contracting business as either a business owner or a sales representative unless a provincial licence has been issued. He does not have a provincial prepaid contractor’s licence or bond.

Lazerman sells his services door-to-door and normally demands some payment before all the work has been completed. He approaches homeowners to suggest they need renovation work done, including roof replacements, cement jobs, painting, siding and window renovations. Complaints against him include charging unreasonably high prices, doing shoddy work and failing to complete work as promised, which can be unfair practices under the Fair Trading Act.

Lazerman’s history includes the following incidents:

  • In 1993, he voluntarily agreed to a restraining order, which prohibits him from engaging in the prepaid contracting business without being properly licensed and registered.
  • In 1994, Lazerman was convicted of a number of home renovation fraud offences and received a jail sentence.
  • Lazerman’s name appeared on the Edmonton Police Services’ Most Wanted List in 1997 in relation to a conviction for home renovation fraud.
  • In 1997, Lazerman received a further 26-month jail term for home renovation fraud to be served consecutively to the 1994 sentence.

Alberta Government Services has alerted other jurisdictions about Lazerman through the consumer and marketplace fraud information-sharing Canshare system.

Homeowners who think they have signed a contract with John Lazerman are requested to contact Government Services’ Consumer Information Centre toll-free at 1-877-427-4088.

In all cases, consumers are advised not to agree to any renovation work unless the full costs are disclosed in writing before the work is started and no money is paid until the work is done. As well, if a home renovator demands any money up front, consumers are entitled to see proof of an active Pre-paid Contractors licence as required under the Fair Trading Act. Consumers are encouraged to contact Alberta Government Services to check the licences and bonds of a home renovator before signing a contract. A free tipsheet called Home Renovations and Repairs is also available at www.gov.ab.ca/gs under Consumer Information.

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Contact:

Ed Greenberg - Alberta Government Services, Communications - (780) 427-0788 - (780) 718-5699 (cell)