Consumers advised to be wary of paving contractor

The Alberta government and RCMP advise consumers that a paving contractor under investigation for numerous complaints is operating in the province.

Service Alberta and Edson RCMP are investigating Highway Maintenance and Asphalt Repair Ltd., following 16 complaints in 2011, mostly from Yellowhead County and area. Earlier this month, the Alberta government received a complaint about the company from a consumer near High River.


The company was operating as Department of Highway Maintenance and Asphalt Repair Ltd., but changed its name last year after Service Alberta advised the business the name could be misleading. The business is not affiliated with any level of government.

The contractor typically claims to be working in the area and offers a discount. Consumers who hired the company for paving jobs allege the quality of asphalt and work was poor and the driveways began falling apart within days. In some cases, the amounts of the contracts were more than $20,000. It is also alleged the contractor did not use contracts that comply with provincial rules for door-to-door sales.

Though the contractor is being investigated, no charges have been laid.

It is an offence under Alberta’s Fair Trading Act for a business to knowingly sell goods or services that consumers will not reasonably receive any benefit from. Alberta’s legislation gives consumers the right to cancel a contract from a direct seller within one year if the direct seller provides consumers with contracts that do not comply with the legislation.

Consumers can protect themselves when hiring a contractor by obtaining three or four estimates and comparing prices, checking the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau and Service Alberta, and ensuring contracts reference their cancellation rights. Albertans can find more information from Service Alberta’s Dealing with Door-to-Door Sales tipsheet at www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/ConsumerTipsheets.cfm.

Albertans with concerns or complaints about the company can call Service Alberta’s Consumer Contact Centre at 1-877-427-4088 (toll-free in Alberta) or 780-427-4088 in the Edmonton area.