See you in court, says frustrated Karwood homeowner after work abandoned

Thomas O’Brien has a contract with Karwood Contracting for work at his Paradise that was never completed. Now he’s taking the company to court to get the money so he can get the work done himself.

Paradise man suing Karwood Contracting over uncompleted work at his home

Elizabeth Whitten · CBC News · Posted: Nov 08, 2024 4:30 AM EST | Last Updated: November 25

Man in blue dress shirt standing in front of home — Thomas O’Brien is taking Karwood Contracting to small claims court to get money for contracted work for a paved driveway and lawn at his Paradise home. (Elizabeth Whitten/CBC)

Fed up with a Paradise home-building company's inaction for work that was supposed to be completed more than a year ago, a homeowner is taking the company to court.

Thomas O'Brien is among people living in duplexes on a cul-de-sac in the Karwood Estates neighbourhood who have gravel pits for front yards and driveways.

The eyesore has been a long-running issue for homeowners like O'Brien, who has a contract signed by company vice-president Randy Oram for a paved driveway and landscaped yard that were supposed to be completed by June 2023.

"It's gotten to a point for me — after waiting so long with no feedback — that I have made a claim with small claims court. And so I actually served the documents to Karwood [Monday]," said O'Brien.

He said he walked into the office Monday, handed the documents to Oram, and then left. He called the moment "short and sweet."

"It was a very short interaction. Just told him I'm suing Karwood for work that's still not completed. And I said, 'Have a great day,'" recalled O'Brien.

"All he said was 'Alright, sir.' And that was it."

Image of a duplex home with a paved driveway and patch of green lawn. — The Karwood website shows what the finished home is supposed to look like, with a manicured lawn as well as paved driveway. (Karwood Contracting)

In a statement of claim filed with court, O'Brien wrote that he moved into his home in September 2022, and that a lawn and driveway were part of the home's cost.

"This is not completed despite me making continued calls, emails, registered mail, and contact to media outlets who have reached out to the company," he wrote.

"I have attempted to resolve this issue many times with no success.… I am making a claim for the cost to complete work in a contract they broke."

After more than a year, Paradise cul-de-sac still looks like a gravel pit. Homeowners feel ripped off

This Paradise cul-de-sac looks like a construction site. Residents want it cleaned up

In total, he is looking to get $5,525 from small claims court. He said he plans to hire a contractor to complete the work.

"Hopefully it's the beginning of the end or they'll actually take it serious," he said.

Contacted by CBC News, Karwood president Greg Hussey refused to do a recorded interview.

Ongoing saga

In August, O'Brien first spoke with CBC News about delays in contracted work for sidewalks, paved driveways and landscaping and how he wasn't able to get answers from Karwood despite months of attempting to contact the company.

Shortly after CBC News started requesting interviews, Karwood representative Rhonda Potter told residents over email that work would start the following week — but soon after the work came to a halt, leaving mounds of rubble, broken planks of wood and even abandoned equipment in the cul-de-sac.

A pile of wooden planks, some painted red, with nails sticking out. — In October, O'Brien raised flags with debris that Karwood Contracting had left in the cul-de-sac. Some of it has since been removed. (Elizabeth Whitten/CBC)

In response to the mess and unfinished work, residents — including O'Brien — contacted CBC News again. After a site visit by town of Paradise staff and a call to Karwood, some of the rubble and the lone piece of equipment were removed.

So far, only work on the cul-de-sac's sidewalks has been completed, said O'Brien.

At the time, Hussey blamed delays on the town of Paradise and media attention, and said that he wanted to finish the work for his clients.

"We are now unfortunately into a time of the year with conflicting crew schedules, holidays and our nice flu season, which affects the days available to work on this project," he wrote in an email to CBC News in October.

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