An Okanagan retiree says a bad experience with a contractor prompted him to help prevent similar situations from happening to others.

Bob Dawe, a retired educational worker, says he hired a contractor in 2018 to renovate his bathrooms and countertops.

He said the job went south after the contractor demanded two times the amount that was previously agreed upon.

After doing some research, Dawe said he found there was little he could do to push back, aside from taking the contractor to court.

Dawe said he wrote a letter that was published in a newspaper, explaining his situation as a warning to the public, then was contacted by others who had similar experiences.

“I was contacted by so many people, so much money has been lost, so much stress has been caused, I felt I had to do something,” said Dawe.

The West Kelowna retiree says he turned his anger into action, creating documents on how to protect yourself when hiring and dealing with tradespeople.

“I came up with a list of hints, tips, suggestions, points to follow that would help screen construction contractors before you hire them,” Dawe told Global News.

The information package has 29 tips on how to better protect yourself, with Dawe saying the most important item is to document everything.

Another helpful tip, he said, is to look up a contractor’s business credentials, licenses,  reviews and insurances.

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