On July 17, 2019, the President & Founder of Megaron Fine Homes Inc. (LP) and I signed a quote to have him renovate the only bathroom in my condo. The project involved replacing everything inside the space and providing a custom built vanity. The quote included a condition that all materials be acquired before the work started. Per the booking and payment terms, I provided a deposit cheque for 50% of the cost of the project (over $8000), which was cashed two days later.
It took me 6 weeks to determine specific materials, which I provided in email on September 5th. I requested a design meeting to discuss the custom vanity and some questions I had about options. I had selected a small mosaic tile to use for trim that involved a special order from the US via a tile store in Toronto. All the other materials I’d chosen were available locally.
We met later in September but LP did not bring the vanity catalog for me to finalize the custom design. He assured me that other than the mosaic tiles (which would be subject to Canada Customs crossing the border so beyond his control – rightly so), the remaining materials would be readily available quickly. We discussed two sets of renovation dates (mid October and early November) so that I could provide notice to the condo board/property management. He stated he would order materials, starting with the mosaic tiles, as they would take the longest to arrive.
One week before first set of dates, I requested a status of all the materials and a meeting to discuss the custom vanity and my outstanding questions. LP stated that he was waiting to hear about the delivery of the mosaic. It was agreed that work could not start then and we would aim for the second set of dates. When I did not hear from him, I contacted the tile store in Toronto myself only to be told that the tiles had never been ordered. As a special order, it required payment in full up front. The store had emailed the invoice and authorization to LP but he had not paid the bill. After waiting 2 weeks, the store had cancelled the order.
As the second set of dates approached, I still had no status on the other materials aside from local tiles for walls and floor. LP still stated he was waiting on the arrival of the US tiles that I knew had not been ordered. He had frustrated the contract and destroyed my confidence that the project would proceed on the second dates, or any dates.
On October 24, 2019 I emailed, called and texted LP to cancel the project and request the refund of my deposit. On November 4, 2019, LP emailed me a 3 page incoherent response refusing to cancel the project saying the deposit was not refundable, even though there was no language in the quote stating that either wasn’t possible. My legal counsel suggested proposing a settlement of a credit to LP to cover out of pocket costs and time spent. On November 6, 2019 I proposed a settlement of a credit of over $1000 and a refund to me of $7000 in an email. I received no response.
I researched Small Claims Court proceedings. In January 2020 I requested the return of my deposit again, willing to discuss reducing the amount further based on any other expenditures incurred, but again received no response. Although told that I would likely receive a Small Claims Court judgement in my favor, I believe the process would have been arduous, drag on for years, involve continuing stress, frustration, and require throwing good money after bad. I refuse to spend any more time and money on this unscrupulous contractor. This review concludes this process. If you choose to work with this contractor, Buyer Beware.
