Licence suspended amid ongoing investigation into company suddenly ceasing operations
TORONTO February 21, 2023 – The Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) is freezing the assets of Highbridge Construction, in the wake of the Orleans, Ontario, company suddenly ceasing operations on February 3, 2023. Its licence has also been suspended as the HCRA investigates.
The HCRA is urging anyone who has purchased a new home or engaged in a financial transaction with either Highbridge or anyone associated with Highbridge to contact the HCRA immediately.
In the notice sent to Highbridge Construction (licensed as ViloHam Trades Inc. since January 2021), the HCRA cited the company for abruptly ceasing operations while it had at least five ongoing new home construction projects underway. The HCRA is particularly concerned that deposit money was taken from purchasers as part of these projects but was not returned as the company claimed insolvency.
The HCRA commenced an inspection that included demands for records and responses to inquiries relating to the status and location of deposit funds. The company failed to comply with the HCRA inspection, resulting in an Immediate Compliance Order being issued along with the licence suspension and a Freeze Order requiring them to hold all assets and funds.
While Highbridge Construction was primarily a home renovation business, it was licensed as a new home builder. To date, the HCRA is aware of five new home construction projects where deposits had been paid but work was not completed by the company.
“A licensed home builder is expected to be financially responsible,” says Wendy Moir, the HCRA’s Chief Executive Officer and Registrar. “We are determined to find out what happened, and especially what happened to the purchasers’ deposit funds. Highbridge Construction claims that the money is gone but will not provide the HCRA with any documentation to back up those claims.”
“These are extraordinary remedies, but we will do everything possible to protect consumers from unethical conduct by builders and vendors,” Moir says.
About the HCRA
The Home Construction Regulatory Authority, launched on February 1, 2021, as Ontario’s newest regulator, is responsible for licensing the people and companies that build and sell new homes in the province. To receive and/or maintain a licence, builders and vendors must demonstrate that they have the right technical skills to build homes, the financial capacity to run a homebuilding operation and will adhere to the province’s Code of Ethics.
The HCRA enforces high professional standards for competence and conduct in the homebuilding industry, giving new home buyers confidence in one of the biggest purchases of their lives. The HCRA also maintains consistency across the sector, curtailing unethical and illegal builders.
In addition to licensing, the HCRA provides educational information for consumers on their home buying journey, and hosts the Ontario Builder Directory – the official source of background information about each of Ontario’s more than 6,500 new home builders and vendors.
Contact: Tess Lin
media@hcraontario.ca