Cousins Drain Contractors No Longer In Business

Michael Cousins, Master Plumber of Innisfil, Ontario was hired to do extensive work at our property in North York in January and February, 2010. He was recommended to us. Impressed us with his promises of being the best in the trade and assured us that the exterior of the property will be restored to its original condition prior to May 15, 2010. We have prepaid the entire project which was in excess of $38,000.00 with only $3,000.00 holdback. Despite repeated demands on our part and numerous promises on his part, he has abandoned the project. Excuses included broken van, marital problems and bankruptcy and a plan to return to his original home in Newfoundland. The following tasks formed part of the written contract which he has not attended to: The 50 foot long and four-foot high retaining wall he built in February was not installed properly. It is already leaning by more than 2 inches on the top onto a narrow walkway and it was discovered that the wall is not tied back properly at all. The retaining wall cavity was not filled in. The basement walls were not parged. One half section of a basement window was broken by his crew during the excavation and after he removed it to have the glass repaired he claims it was lost. All winter-long and even now the window opening has been boarded up. A brand new replacement window has to be ordered. Steps, window wells were not built. Deck and fence and 2 gates and eaves trough were badly damaged and not repaired. Lengthy sidewalks along front and rear of house not rebuilt, topsoil not delivered,grading and 100 feet of lawn not restored. Air-conditioning unit not reinstalled. Michael Cousins and his company have been reported to the Consumer Protection Branch of the Ministry of Consumer Services of the Government of Ontario, to the BBB and to the Municipal Licencing Office of the city of Toronto. Investigations are underway. Lawsuit for breach of contract and damages for additional cost (in excess of $20,000.00) to remedy the problems he created is being launched. Anyone planning to engage this person or his company should be aware of our experience. He gives the trade a bad name.