Consumer Alert - Unlicensed Edmonton-Area Home Renovator Charged With 30 Counts

For immediate release, Edmonton, May 26, 2000

Homeowners, especially seniors in the Edmonton area, are advised to be aware of an unlicensed home renovator, Andy Radzikowski, operating as Canata Renovation Ltd. or Canata Renovation Consultants Ltd.

Alberta Government Services has charged Radzikowski and Canata Renovation Consultants Ltd. with operating without a prepaid contracting business licence and other related charges, 30 in total, under the Fair Trading Act, the Business Corporations Act, and the former Licensing of Trades and Businesses Act.

Radzikowski is scheduled to appear in Provincial Court, Criminal Division in Edmonton in early June.

The department has received several complaints against Radzikowski alleging that he has taken advance deposits from customers and performed none of the work promised. Canata Renovation Ltd. does not have a licence or bond as required under the Fair Trading Act. Canata Renovation Consultants Ltd. has a bond and did hold the required licence during certain periods of time.

Consumers who enter into direct sales contracts are advised they have up to one year to cancel the contract if the business is not licensed.

The department has alerted other jurisdictions of Radzikowski through the consumer and marketplace fraud information-sharing Canshare system.

Consumers are encouraged to contact Alberta Government Services to check the licences and bonds of home renovators before signing a contract. The department can also provide consumers with a free tip sheet entitled Dealing with Door-to-Door Sales. This tip sheet is available on the Internet at www.gov.ab.ca/gs. Consumers can also use the website to conduct a business licence search.

Homeowners who believe they have signed a contract with Andy Radzikowski or these companies are asked to contact Alberta Government Services at 1-877-427-4088.

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Contact:

Megan Parker - Communications, Alberta Government Services - 780-415-6051