Calgary Contractor Alan Hrehirchuk Faces New Charges in Ongoing Renovation Scandal

Alan Hrehirchuk, a contractor from Calgary and the owner of Envision Custom Renovations, is facing new criminal charges. Several homeowners, including Aimee Carriere, reported that Hrehirchuk took large amounts of money for renovation work he never finished, leading to these charges.

The Allegations Against Hrehirchuk

Carriere hired Hrehirchuk in May 2024 for a project involving two small bathrooms and exterior doors, expecting it to cost around $50,000. By summer, she noticed work wasn’t progressing, tradespeople weren’t paid, and promised items never arrived. Carriere says she paid $40,000 to Hrehirchuk and spent another $10,000 to settle debts with tradespeople.

In a last-ditch effort to complete the work, Carriere cashed in her RRSPs to cover the remaining costs, ultimately spending more than double the original estimate. “This has hindered us for sure — no vacation, no roof, no nothing… It’s disheartening,” Carriere said.

Previous Legal Trouble

Hrehirchuk had a criminal record before taking on Carriere’s project. In April 2024, he pleaded guilty to forgery after creating fake subcontractor invoices and stealing $100,000 from a couple. Authorities dropped the fraud charges, and he received a conditional discharge, meaning the conviction wouldn’t appear on his criminal record.

But in July 2025, new charges were filed against him. These included fraud over $5,000 and breaking a Service Alberta director’s order that banned him from working as a pre-paid contractor. The new charges are linked to his work with Carriere and other clients after his earlier conviction.

The Impact on Victims

For Carriere, the fallout from Hrehirchuk’s work has been devastating. The unfinished renovations left her home in a condition that allowed mice, bugs, and cold air to enter. “It’s disheartening,” she said, describing the financial and emotional toll of hiring someone she believed she could trust, having known him through their shared connection in youth hockey.

Legal Defenses and Challenges

Hrehirchuk’s lawyer declined to comment on the new charges. However, during the 2024 trial, the defense argued that this wasn’t a “classic contractor scam.” His lawyer suggested that Envision Custom Renovations grew too quickly, and Hrehirchuk struggled to meet upfront payment demands, which led to him forging invoices out of embarrassment.

Justice Harry Van Harten, who presided over the earlier case, acknowledged Hrehirchuk’s mistakes and the considerable financial losses suffered by the victims. This also included the extra costs of hiring a second contractor to complete the work. In court, Hrehirchuk had apologized, admitting, “I screwed up majorly, and it’s cost me pretty much everything.”

Looking Ahead

The court has scheduled Hrehirchuk’s next appearance for August 26, 2025, where he will face the new criminal charges. The case has highlighted the risks of hiring contractors, even those with celebrity endorsements, like Property Brothers, which Hrehirchuk used to boost his credibility.

Reflecting on her experience, Carriere now urges others to carefully check out contractors before hiring them, no matter their personal connections or outside endorsements. “Even if you think you know somebody, Google them at the very least,” she advises.

More…

• https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alan-hrehirchuk-new-charges-property-brothers-contractor-1.7603785 
• https://ca.news.yahoo.com/calgary-contractor-faces-criminal-charges-230755010.html
• https://www.overheretoronto.com/tsuutina-nation-chief-roy-whitney-charged-with-sexual-assault