Highbridge Construction owes $106,000 in rent on storefront
There is a new sign of financial issues with an Ottawa construction company that suddenly closed, leaving customers with unfinished projects unable to recoup their losses.
A notice of distress posted on the door of Highbridge Construction's storefront on St. Joseph Boulevard says the company owes the landlord more than $106,000 in rent.
- Download our app to get local alerts to your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The notice is dated Feb. 7 and gives the tenant five days to reply, or else goods within the unit will be seized and sold to cover the costs
The lease has not been terminated and while the locks have been changed, the tenant is still able to use the premises with the landlord's permission, the notice says, though it warns attempts to remove goods from the site is unlawful.
Highbridge Construction shuttered last week, telling employees in an email obtained by CTV News that it was "forced to close its door and cease business operations." Another email to employees had asked them to hold off on cashing paycheques until Monday, offering Air Miles to those who waited.
Customers who spoke to CTV News describe being out tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. In at least one customer's case, the money was uninsured and she has no way to recover it.
Attempts to reach the owners of the company have been unsuccessful.
MORE FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CLOSURE COME FORWARD
More families are sharing stories with CTV News about work that has gone unfinished.
Amanda Lauzon, a mother of four, hired Highbridge Construction to complete repairs on her home after a fire in 2019. The job has never been finished she said.
"We are in year four now and the project still isn’t complete, we still have odds and ends," she told CTV News. "We have had no contact since November."
Lauzon said in addition to incomplete work, several things needed to be redone.
"You couldn’t walk around the dishwasher because it was up against the kitchen counter," she explained. "A toilet seat that doesnt go up all the way. The seat doesn't open all the way because of the handle."
Her shower was redone three times and tiles are already starting to wear and three counter tops had to be replaced because workers drilled the wrong holes.
"They just assumed i had ordered a standard 3 hole fixture," Lauzon said. "And when this came in, the guy was like, 'You are going to have two holes in your counter.' I said that is unacceptable. 'Well, do you like the taps we put in? You could keep them.' If i wanted them, I would have ordered them.'"
Lauzon estimates her family is out at least $200,000. She intends to hire another contractor to get the work done.
"We will move on and forget this chapter."
Werner Meier's roof was damaged by the derecho in May. He hired Highbridge Construction and gave them a deposit.
"White pines came through the garage roof like torpedos and took out nine of 13 trusses," he said. "The entire garage roof needs to be replaced."
However, he says all the company did was take measurements and he hasn't heard back from them since January.
"Their contact requirements were very stringent. They argued they needed 50 per cent of the cost of the repairs up front, which is what we gave them."
Meier said that deposit was $55,000.
--With files from CTV's Graham Richardson and Leah Larocque.
A notice of distress taped to the door of Highbridge Construction's storefront on St. Joseph Boulevard in Ottawa. (Graham Richardson/CTV News Ottawa)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.