A Grey County builder, Lischkoff Build Design Ltd., has been fined $75,000 for allegedly building without a license from the Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) and not enrolling the homes into the warranty plan. The license is mandatory for anyone who is building a new home in Ontario. James Lischkoff was also fined $130,000 in restitution to the affected homebuyer. “Builders who break the rules will be held accountable,” said Wendy Moir, the HCRA’s CEO and registrar. “These laws exist to protect homebuyers and uphold professional standards, and the HCRA is committed to stopping illegal building through increased enforcement.” Complaints were received from two projects in Grey County, where the HCRA said Lischkoff knowingly tried to sidestep legal obligations, that it said he was fully aware of, leading to the charges. According to a news release, he falsely claimed to be a construction manager to avoid licensing and warranty requirements. The HCRA investigated and said he exercised full control over the work and supplied all building materials, legally defining a builder under the New Home Construction Licensing Act, 2017. “Cracking down on illegal builders and sellers is one of the HCRA’s highest priorities,” said Moir. “We take complaints about illegal activity very seriously and look beyond corporate titles to examine the actual roles individuals perform, ensuring that unlicensed individuals are held accountable. We encourage anyone purchasing a new home to verify their builder is licensed by the HCRA by consulting the Ontario Builder Directory before making any financial commitments.”
