Crews are repairing the damage inflicted to a waterfront home located on Fillinger Cres. The home underwent a botched home reno, shortly after it was purchased for $1.85 million in Feb, 2018. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

reno nightmare

Nanaimo home owner awarded $222K after botched renovation

Dec 18, 2019 | 6:53 AM

NANAIMO — A lengthy and disastrous renovation to a north Nanaimo waterfront home resulted in a significant fine against a building contractor.

Justice Douglas Thompson awarded Fang Li $221,800 following a second uncontested hearing in B.C. Supreme Court in Nanaimo.

The fine levied against Pengpeng Zhang and V’Island Communications Construction followed a breach of contract after Li advanced $256,000 to Zhang.

Li’s lawyer Kellen Hornquist told Judge Thompson this week his client and her husband purchased the Fillinger Cres. home in Feb, 2018. Hornquist said Li was referred by their realtor to Zhang to carry out substantial renovations.

On May 30, 2018 a detailed fixed-cost contract was brokered in English and Mandarin between the two parties. The agreement stipulated renovations would be complete by May 20, 2019.

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“Lets just say things didn’t go so well,” Hornquist said while noting “substantial defects in the work”.

He said the renovation and expansion stripping the home to its framing wasn’t up to code and necessary inspections weren’t approved.

Justice Thompson wondered if the damage needed to be reversed.

“Was the job done so poorly it will cost her more money to fix it up? Is that it in a nutshell?” he asked.

“Yes and already has,” Hornquist responded. “She has found a different contractor. As far as I have been told, work has been progressing well.”

An independent contractor’s report estimated $164,000 in damages were done to the home under Zhang’s watch, while $34,200 of worthwhile value was supplied.

The fine amount was reached by subtracting the $34,200 in estimated valued work from the $256,000 Zhang received.

Li, a Chinese immigrant not well versed in construction, stayed with friends nearby for more than one year during the saga.

Her concerns and frustrations started mounting earlier this year after Zhang phoned her to say he didn’t have the necessary funds to buy flooring for the home.

Li sent $2,000 to Zhang in an e-transfer but the flooring never showed up.

She started attending the site several times a week, according to Hornquist.

“(She) was concerned, but on the assurances of Mr. Zhang kept going along and kept writing cheques. Eventually in June 2019 she realized something was very amiss,” Hornquist said.

Li then fired Zhang and accused him of breach of contract.

Hornquist said the Fillinger Cres. home is still undergoing repairs, preventing Li and her husband from moving in.

Zhang’s company is facing another legal hurdle in the form of a small claims challenge filed in Nanaimo.

Court records show on Aug. 14, 2019 Rongfu Tang launched court action to recoup $33,800 he claims he’s owed by V’Island Communications Construction.

The firm is licensed by the City of Nanaimo, but not accredited by the Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes