Calgary homeowner alleges renovation nightmare as city investigates contractor

Calgarian says a home renovation became a nightmare when her contractor worked without permits. The contractor denies wrongdoing but the city is investigating.

A Calgary homeowner says a renovation project meant to make her home more accessible for her disabled brother has escalated into a legal and safety dispute, after the contractor allegedly threatened to rip out completed work.

The dispute prompted the homeowner to go to court to obtain a restraining order, and the City of Calgary has launched an investigation into the contractor’s current business licence and practices.

Dawna Prindle says she first approached A2Z Building Solutions in mid-2025 to renovate her home and build a wheelchair-accessible basement suite for her brother.

“I had received dozens of different ads online including for A2Z, we went and saw a couple of jobs that they had completed, and they seemed satisfactory, so we decided to move forward,” Prindle said.

“I was also assured that they had ample experience and that other contractors were over-quoting, given the fact that I was already supplying most of the required materials.”

But Prindle claims her project, originally quoted at $50,000, quickly ballooned to $25,000 over the expected price tag.

She says further issues spiraled into conflict over construction plans, payments, and permits.

The contractor and project manager with A2Z Building Solutions, Todd Walton, disputes all of the allegations.

He says he has a pre-paid contractor’s license, that all plans were approved by his client, and that most of the work was completed before he and his crew were removed from the property.

City officials confirm concerns about the business have been raised and that an investigation is now underway.

Prindle’s brother was set to move to Calgary from Ontario in December, but was unable to make the move due to the project remaining unfinished and the ongoing dispute.

Mounting renovation cost

Prindle hired Walton’s company to help convert her basement into an accessible living space for her brother.

The project, she said, involved a full renovation and the construction of an exterior wheelchair ramp along the side of her home in the northeast community of Abbeydale.

But Prindle says the project began to go off track when Walton moved ahead with work she says she had not approved.

She claims engineering drawings were rejected multiple times before construction continued.

“Right off the bat, the floor plans were not adequate and the very few that he did provide me with, they were lacklustre. They were not stamped, they were not engineered, and they needed a lot of changes,” Prindle said.

“No floor plans were ever provided that were adequate for me to even give to an occupational therapist for approval and to make sure everything was accessible to be eligible to receive a funding grant.”

Prindle adds she was repeatedly told by Walton that plans for a wheelchair ramp were approved by engineers and the city, but says she was never provided those plans.

“There’s nothing that I have asked him for which is outside code, so when I asked for explanations, he just says, ‘let me do my job, I’m good at my job, I know what I’m doing. Leave it.’ But then he doesn’t provide me with actual answers when I ask, and it’s not done the way that I want it.”

Prindle also believes that she’s been overcharged for work completed.

“I let him commence work, gave him more money, (and) no more work really happened after four months of work,” she said. “Welcome to my nightmare.”

“I don’t know labour hours,” she added. “I have no receipts from engineers and it’s just round numbers.”

CTV News obtained an itemized invoice from A2Z Home Building Solutions, which totals $76, 597.50 — upwards of $26,000 more than what Prindle says she had originally agreed to.

Walton disputes that.

“No, that’s not true, we made it crystal clear that the $50,000 price was for the basement only,” Walton said.

“It does not include the renovations on the main floor or the outside wheelchair ramp. The cement alone for the ramp was $12,000, work completed on her garage, and she wanted the whole floor done upstairs, the stairwell taken out, the laundry upstairs and the gas done, which we all did.”

Allegations over illegal and unsafe work

CTV News cameras took inside look at the work completed so far, which included a full excavation along the side of the home.

Work completed in the basement includes the installation of several beams and insulation, but Prindle has raised concerns over the structural integrity, including walls that aren’t flush and that layout doesn’t provide enough room for wheelchair accessibility.

“I’ve measured parts of the wall to other areas of certain rooms,” Prindle said. “I asked, ‘what’s that going to look like’ and I was told ‘oh it doesn’t matter what it looks like,’ but yes it does because it affects my layout.”

CTV News asked Walton for Prindle’s proof of approval of floor plans.

He provided three drawings, two of which he says were rejected by Prindle and a third engineered drawing he says was accepted by verbal agreement.

“Dawna approved the third drawing by verbal approval like on the phone, but it’s obvious it was approved,” Walton said.

“We sent her one drawing, (and) she changed it,” he said. “We sent her another drawing, (and) she changed it. We sent her the third drawing. She approved it, but wanted us to move the pantry.

“We wouldn’t just do a drawing and (then) do something she didn’t like.”

Prindle says the situation escalated however after excavation began for the ramp outside the home in November 2025, although the City of Calgary confirms a building permit for the property was not issued until Jan. 21, 2026.

“There isn’t a record of other permits being applied prior to that date,” the city said in a written statement.

City officials also noted provincial regulations prohibit construction requiring a permit from starting before the permit is issued.

“As per the Alberta Permit Regulation, a person shall not start any undertaking for which a permit is required unless a permit has been issued,” the statement said.

Prindle says her engineer later raised concerns that the work was not built to code and had exposed the home’s foundation.

Dwayne Seal — a Calgary home design specialist and architectural technologist who was hired by Prindle — alleges the wheelchair ramp was constructed illegally. He also alleged it was unsafe and the footing of the house was damaged.

“With the excavation that had been performed along the side of the house, I felt that the public was put at risk because there was nothing to prevent anybody from falling into a very deep hole,” Seal said.

“There was potential for somebody to get significantly hurt and not be found, for that matter.”

Seal also raised concerns about the timing of the excavation relative to the city permitting process.

“From what I was told by my client is that the excavation along the side of the house had occurred at the end of November.

“As an architectural technologist and home design specialist, (this) is deeply concerning,” he said. “Now we’ve opened up the foundation system to exposure to frost through the winter.”

Seal says any work affecting the structural systems of a home requires a permit and engineering approval before construction begins.

“Having seen what the timelines were, yes, it was an illegal situation,” Seal said.

“They should not have been pulling out any of the structural anything that has to do with the structural integrity of the house until the permit is released with a sealed engineer stamp.”

Seal says the homeowner has since asked him to begin redesigning the project from scratch.

“Unfortunately, a lot of her budget has been already spent on a situation that’s not in a good situation.”

Walton provided an engineer sealed permit for the wheelchair ramp to CTV News and said that all engineered drawings for the project and inspections were passed by the City of Calgary.

He added building permits can take several weeks to obtain and that some work without a building permit can begin while waiting for approvals.

He claims no building permit from the city was required for the wheelchair ramp until later.

“But we can do the HVAC, we can also do the plumbing first because we can get it all inspected,” he said.

“I can dig without the building permit being approved. We dial ‘call before you dig’ and I can do the whole thing as long as I don’t start the structure until I have the building permit. I have a drawing for that wheelchair ramp, nothing’s jeopardized.”

Despite safety concerns addressed by Prindle, her building specialist, and the City of Calgary, Walton insists that a building permit was not required until later on in the project.

Gas line hit during excavation

Prindle says she was additionally concerned when Walton’s workers hit a gas line as excavation work was underway on the wheelchair ramp.

“My neighbour called me in the evening, and he was like, ATCO was just there, and you’re going to get a fine of $5,000 for this because your contractor hit a gas line.”

“They (A2Z Building Solutions) knew where the gas line was because the gas meter is right there on the side of the house, and they still ended up clipping it.”

CTV News asked ATCO to confirm whether a gas line was hit, but the company says it “is not able to comment on any specific customer circumstance.”

ATCO did note, however, that damage incurred when proper stops to locate and avoid contact with its infrastructure aren’t taken, repair charges will be invoiced directly to the responsible third party.

Prindle says she hasn’t received word from ATCO as to whether a fine had been issued by A2Z Building Solutions or if she was charged extra by Walton to cover repair costs.

“I’m trying to find the paper trail to this, but I suspect that they probably actually did fine him the $5,000 and he just took it out of my money,” Prindle said.

In a text message to Prindle, Walton denied those allegations.

“Nobody sending you a $5,000 bill and no gas line was broken. What happened to the tractor hit the slid and hit the meter,” Walton said.

“So far all we’ve done is what the plans I sent you that’s all we’ve done. Now we had located nobody’s upset we didn’t break any laws.”

Walton confirmed to CTV News that a gas line was hit during the excavation process with a backhoe.

“The line was bumped with the tractor because it was a tight space, we immediately shut the gas off and called ATCO who was there in (for) 20 minutes and fixed it,” he said.

“But I wasn’t charged because I called ‘call before you dig and I already told Dawna if there’s any fines I would take care of it. I took full responsibility and told her immediately.”

Dispute escalates

A lengthy exchange of text messages between Prindle and Walton reviewed by CTV News shows the dispute becoming increasingly heated.

In one message, Walton warned he would remove the work from the home.

“The building permits in my name right now the basement is mine,” Walton wrote in a message to Prindle.

“I’m not stopping anything. If you want to bring the police, you can bring the police. I’m ripping out everything.”

Prindle later fired Walton as her contractor and says she sought a court order preventing Walton from returning to the property.

Court documents provided to CTV News show an ex parte restraining order was granted.

“When I asked him to leave the property, I was threatened and told that I was going to have liens put on my house,” Prindle said.

“I can’t be expected to allow that person back on my property to finish the job and so I did have the police called when he first threatened to come rip everything out.”

Karen Penner — the registered owner of A2Z Building Solutions and Walton’s partner — addressed the concerns of Walton threatening to cause damage to Prindle’s property in a text message to CTV News.

“Todd got very frustrated because everything we tried to do for her she wasn’t happy with it and would change it,” Penner said.

“He was not serious. Todd has never caused any damage. It was said out of frustration.”

Walton also disputed claims he threatened Prindle.

“I did not threaten her with anything after she fired me,” he said.

“In the text message we were talking about money and not paying bills and that’s when I said to her, you know we got to protect ourselves legally, right? But legally I cannot rip anything out of a job site.”

As for the restraining order, Walton has now filed an affidavit in court to challenge the judge’s order.

“I talked to the police, (who) told me this is a civil matter and that there are no active investigations against me,” he said.

“But since the beginning of this job, Dawna has been abusive to my employees, yelling at everyone and changing everything, she’s been very difficult to work with. Dawna is out to get me… so we will go through the courts.”

Walton is scheduled to appear in court on March 30 to challenge the existing restraining order filed against him by Prindle.

Contractor sought payment

Another series of messages reviewed by CTV News shows Walton contacting Prindle’s partner, James Chouinard, asking for additional money while requesting the conversation remain private.

“If you could do another 5K … that would really help me out right now,” Walton wrote in a message to Chouinard.

“But I want it between me and you. I don’t wanna get Donna involved. I want it between me and you man-to-man.”

Chouinard the request surprised him because he was not the person who hired the contractor.

“I’ve been helping Dawna with the financing of this and paying for things on her behalf, but I’m not even his client,” Chouinard said in an interview.

He says Walton had sent him videos showing what he described as progress on the home and asked for the money because concrete costs were high.

Chouinard says he eventually transferred $5,000 in two payments of $2,500 because he hoped the work would be completed.

“But if you go downstairs and look at the work they’ve done three weeks or so from when they were escorted off the site, there’s really not been anything done whatsoever,” Chouinard said.

Walton explained his side of the story to CTV News, saying he tried to work with Prindle directly.

“But James told me not to deal with Dawna,” Walton said.

“James told me he’s the one that’s paying the bill So him and I decided to finish the project together.”

Contractor disputes allegations

Walton denied Prindle’s allegations and says the renovation was nearly finished when he was forced to leave the property.

“That’s absolutely not true,” Walton said in a phone interview.

“The basement is more than $70,000 and the basement is 80 per cent done.”

Walton added the project involved major work throughout the home.

“We have totally gutted the basement, we totally redid the main floor, we did new flooring on the main floor, we did new laundry on the main floor, we ran all the gas to the main floor and the basement,” he said.

“We’ve done all the framing, we’ve done all the drywall, we’ve done all the insulation, we’ve done all the plumbing, we’ve done all the HVAC.”

Walton says the dispute arose when he was removed from the property just before the final flooring installation.

“The reason her house isn’t finished is because she kicked us out 10 minutes before the last piece of flooring was installed,” he said.

“This is going to be a huge legal battle,” he said. “This is my new life mission. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

Prindle refutes claims that work was done to the standards she requested.

She says she has now paid over $70,000, despite receiving a $50,000 quote from A2Z Building Solutions which was also obtained by CTV News.

“All of this is in addition to all of the appliances being purchased and now having to be returned. I mean the garage portion of this project could have been completed months ago. Downstairs in the basement, it just looks like a very expensive demolition,” she said.

“I mean this is supposed to be a suite for anyone with disabilities, and nothing that he has designed, regardless of the fact that I had asked him very specifically to allow me to do the design for the floor plan layout allows me to do that.”

Walton maintains he never threatened Prindle, and that any conflict was related to payment disputes.

“There were no threats. The only threat that I’ve ever made to her was because she always threatened not to pay me. If you don’t pay me, then we’ll just take it the legal way. I’ll do it civilly. I’ve been to court three times in my whole career. I’ve won all three times.”

The dispute also included direct confrontations with Chouinard via text messages.

On Feb. 26, Chouinard texted Penner, asking for herself and Walton to cease contact.

Penner agreed to the request, texting back: “I understand that and I will.”

Walton then responded with a direct text to Chouinard later that same morning.

“(You’re) going to charge me lol. Go smoke crack buddy. Let’s meet at the police station. You abused the wrong people.”

Lack of signed contract

CTV News asked to review a signed copy of the contract agreement for work to be completed on Prindle’s home from all parties.

Penner claimed Prindle had the signed contract, but Prindle says she never received one.

“There is no contract that has physically been signed by any parties,” Prindle said.

“His (Todd’s) quote that he provided to me is his contract, that is his obligation to me and there’s nothing in there that states any other obligation from the client. The quote provided by a contractor is considered their contract.”

But Penner confirmed that a contract was signed.

“Dawna has a copy of the signed contract. We didn’t get a copy,” Penner said to CTV News over text message.

“We do normally get a copy signed. Why has she not shown you? It was signed in person before they gave Todd the cheque. Honestly, I don’t have a good enough answer.

Walton addressed the issue as well.

“Text messages are legal in court, our invoices are legal in court, and Dawna knows she has a contract,” he said.

“I saw with Dawna and James the first day when I got the first deposit and they both signed, she has a copy of it.”

CTV News has not received a copy of any signed contract from either party.

City investigating contractor

A city business safety inspector says the situation has prompted a broader review of the contractor’s business license.

“I am currently conducting an investigation into this business, as there is a possibility of holding an administrative hearing regarding the license the city has issued to them,” Insp. Mario Caputo wrote in an email to Prindle.

“I have significant concerns about the actions of both the business and one of their employees.”

Caputo added that safety concerns are also part of the investigation.

“The safety risks their operations may pose to the general public and other city staff are especially troubling.”

The City of Calgary says it cannot comment further while the investigation remains ongoing.

Walton responded to the ongoing city investigation.

Everything we’ve done with the City of Calgary has been inspected and passed, framing, gas, plumbing, HVAC, electrical all passed,” he said.

“I have every permit, every job that’s been passed by the City of Calgary. So if we’re doing anything wrong at our jobs, the city wouldn’t pass it. The city’s issue is with me, because I’m taking action with the city, and that’s all I’m going to say. But if the city’s saying that they’re worried about our work, then they’re responsible, because they’ve passed everything.”

Contractor not registered with BBB

CTV News has confirmed that A2Z Building Solutions is not registered with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

While registration isn’t a requirement, businesses without the seal of approval may be perceived as less credible.

Walton said A2Z Building Solutions wasn’t registered with the BBB because it wasn’t worth the money and many honest businesses choose against joining.

“It’s $800 a year,” he said. “I don’t think it’s worth paying them, they don’t do anything.”

Accreditation with the BBB in the Calgary area requires an annual paid membership, not a one-time registration fee.

Costs are based on company size and type, but industry estimates suggest monthly dues hover around the $75 range.

Walton added he is instead registered with TrustedPros, where he has several positive reviews and was awarded by the site as one of the “best of” builders for basement renovations in 2025.

“I’m very passionate, sometimes it comes off maybe aggressive, but I do my job, I care for every one of our customers and I bend over backwards to make my customers happy,” Walton said.

“I tried with Dawna through the yelling, through the abuse… I tried to work with (her).”

TrustedPros acts as a marketplace to find professionals, but it does not guarantee the quality of work or act as a mediator for disputes.

Companies that are not registered with the BBB are also not obliged to respond to any customer complaints.

Second homeowner claims A2Z threatened to rip up completed work

Prindle isn’t the only customer with concerns about A2Z Building Solutions. A Calgary man who also hired Walton’s company says his family also had a troubling experience during a major renovation several years ago.

Jimmy Dhaliwal says the project quickly ran into problems.

“All I can say is that it was horrendous,” Dhaliwal said.

Contractors later inspected the work and raised concerns about code violations.

“One of our electricians told us that this doesn’t seem right,” he said.

A plumber brought in afterward told the family the work needed to be redone.

“He said all this violates code,” Dhaliwal said.

Dhaliwal says his family hired another contractor to fix the problems.

Tensions escalated when the family attempted to end the project.

“He (Walton) was threatening to say either you pay me the amount that I’m owed or I’m going to start ripping stuff out of the house and taking it with me,” he said.

Police were eventually called to the home.

“It was just a horrible experience,” Dhaliwal said.

Walton addressed these allegations, telling CTV News the inspections for this project passed except for the plumbing work which he says was not yet completed.

He says he called police alleging Dhaliwal had not paid him for a $5,000 heating system.

“The police came and said that they were going to allow me to take the heating system out. If it’s not paid for, the cops will allow you to take the heating system out,” said Walton.

“So, Dhaliwal said right in front of the police officer that he will pay me, and I looked at the officer, and I said, if he won’t I’ll remove it. The police officer left and guess what? To this day, he still didn’t pay me.”

Dhaliwal responded, telling CTV News he paid about $19,500 out of roughly $25,000 for work that he had agreed to in a written contract.

“After we had paid him, that’s when we started getting suspicious that certain work wasn’t up to code or standard,” said Dhaliwal.

“Then when we started asking him to get inspections done and report his findings because we didn’t think anything was right, that’s when he started to get spooked and he was like ‘no, pay me all of the amount that you owe and then I’ll finish the work.’”

Verify contractors: CPS, BBB

Calgary police say disputes with contractors can occur, but homeowners should take steps to protect themselves.

“What we recommend is if somebody is coming to offer to do work on your home, verify that they’re an actual business,” said Calgary Police Service Sgt. Nick Wilsher.

“Do your research.”

Wilsher says homeowners should also be cautious about making large payments upfront.

“Unless you’ve got a fully signed contract and you’ve done all the rest of it, they shouldn’t be getting any of your money.”

The Better Business Bureau also says homeowners should thoroughly research contractors before hiring them.

“Make sure that you know the terms before you make any payments,” said Mary O’Sullivan-Andersen, president and CEO of the BBB serving southern Alberta and East Kootenay.

“Look at what the scope of work is, what deposits you might have to pay upfront, and whether you have the opportunity to withhold the full payment.”

She also recommends obtaining multiple quotes and keeping detailed documentation.

“If you’re looking to hire someone to engage on services, allow yourself to be the one doing the research,” she said.

Walton maintains the work his company completed for Prindle met required standards.

Prindle says she hopes speaking publicly will help warn other homeowners about potential contractor disputes.

The City of Calgary investigation into A2Z Building Solutions remains ongoing.