Worked very hard to get a $14,360.00 RRAP Homeowners grant to fix leaks and other worries in my mobile home. Unfortunately, I hired an unscrupulous contractor who absolutely took advantage of me financially. He was supposed to update my electrical at a cost of $4600.00 and all he did was change out approx 38 light switches and plug outlets. I enquired about my panel and he started complaining stating that he was already over budget on materials.

He also was supposed to gut and remove all of the insulation and ceiling panel in the entire kitchen, hallway, small bedroom and bathroom (almost $4000), which he did. But he was also supposed to and agreed to install new ceiling panel. Instead he installed 1/2" drywall and after one week, it started to crack along the seams.

I was adamant that I did not want drywall because everytime my washing machine is on the spin cycle, my whole home shakes and I did tell him numerous times before the grant came in that I worried about drywall cracking. He said over and over again that he had installed drywall in many mobile homes without any problem. He even verbally and via email promised that if anything did happen, he would fix the problem.

He sent his workers in three times to repair multiple cracks in all areas of the drywall and each time the ceiling looked worse and worse. Not only did it now have cracks, but it also had humps formed from the application of too much mud...and grooves in the seams from over sanding.

I had a male neighbour come over to be my witness when Gary, the "contractor" was due to come over and he heard Gary say that ok...it needs to be replaced and he would get ceiling panel and have 3 crew members to come in and tear down the drywall and install the panel all in one day.

He never phoned or showed up as he stated so I called him to remind him. He called back and was excited and sounded happy. He said I was going to love the panel he found. It was white and it didn't even need to be painted. He arrived 4 days later with a trailer and it was loaded with grooved wall panel in an off white colour. I thought...Ok...I am sure he's not expecting to put that up...he must be doing another job in the mobile home park...at least I hoped. I waited for him to get out of his truck and I asked him if I could see a sample of the panel he told me about before I left for work. He pointed to the load of grooved wall panel and said it's right there! DANG!!!!!! I was so disgusted! I told him straight out that there was no way in hell I was going to allow him to put that shite up on my ceilings. I told him that it wasn't ceiling panel, it was grooved wall panel and how in the hell did he think I'd ever agree to that.

He complained that they didn't make ceiling panel anymore because of aesbestos. I pointed to my ceiling tiles in the livingroom and he said it had aesbestos too and they didn't make them anymore. He left. I left.

At work I got online and started researching. I phoned a number of places and finally someone gave me a link where ceiling tiles could be purchased. I got home and emailed the link to Gary and gave him two days to respond or I would take it to the next level.

Two days later, no response, so I filed a complaint with the BBB. Back and forth, back and forth...no resolve. Now it's going to Arbitration.

Bad "contractors" should have more policing. If they did their job right and charged a reasonable amount for honest work, there would be not problems.

I was totally ripped off and I am super pissed...more at myself for being taken by this crook than anything.

Only recourse I have right now while waiting for arbitration is to search out areas where I can submit reviews on his work and file complaints so others won't be taken like I was. It's upsetting him...good! On one response he claimed he offered me a full refund and I turned him down...HUH????????????? Such a big liar!