Calgary contractor who attracted clients with Property Brothers endorsement faces new allegations

By the time police laid criminal charges against Calgary contractor Alan Hrehirchuk, former employees and clients say he was taking weeks-long vacations, locking the doors to his office showroom to avoid angry tradespeople demanding payment, all while convincing new clients to hire him by showing them celebrity endorsements, including from the popular HGTV show The Property Brothers.

Hrehirchuk is due to make his first appearance in a Calgary courtroom Monday after charges were laid last month. 

Since the announcement of charges on July 12, the Calgary Police Service says about a dozen new alleged victims of Hrehirchuk have come forward and the investigation continues. Police say further charges are possible.

Court documents show nine lawsuits were filed against Hrehirchuk's company Envision Custom Renovations in 2023.

The civil cases are in their early stages in the court process and none of the allegations against Hrehirchuk have been proven in court. 

CBC News gave Hrehirchuk the chance to respond to the allegations made against him in this story.

"My client denies the allegations and has taken my advice to not make a statement while the matter is before the courts," wrote Cory Wilson in a statement provided to CBC News.

CBC News has spoken with two homeowners, Hrehirchuk's former project manager and a subcontractor who detailed a fragile house of cards built by Hrehirchuk, which, by July, appears to have collapsed on the 53-year-old.

One couple, in their 60s, have been living in their basement after they say Hrehirchuk began work on their home but failed to pay the tradespeople and left the job unfinished.

That couple also says one night in the middle of their renovation disaster, they spotted their home on TV as Hrehirchuk promoted his renovation company.

In July, Calgary police announced Hrehirchuk faced charges connected to allegations he forged subcontractor invoices and defrauded homeowner Carlos Camara and his wife, who spent more than $100,000 on work that was never done.

"It changed everything in terms of our immediate financial plans, for sure," said Camara. 

Camara and his wife did their research. After buying their first home last year, they interviewed three contractors.

The couple was impressed with Hrehirchuk's Envision Custom Renovations, and his slick showroom and portfolio, which included a letter of endorsement from the Property Brothers after he appeared on a couple of episodes.