A Colchester County, N.S., couple living in an incomplete renovation say they are on the verge of bankruptcy, while other clients of the same contractor are also crying foul.
In early 2025, Bert Delorey and his wife, Naomi, signed a contract with George McInnis after posting to a social media page looking for a contractor.
“I had three people come and put in a bid. I had one lower, one higher. So I said, oh, I’ll go in the middle,” Delorey said in an interview alongside his wife.
According to a contract the couple provided to CBC News, they wanted to jack up their 90-year-old home, create a basement apartment and build a three-metre addition on the front of the house.
“We’ve done quite a few renovations, but we were ready to do a big one, and that just turned to ash,” said Naomi.
The agreement was for more than $180,000 to be paid in three instalments over the course of the renovation. The couple estimated McInnis received about $200,000 before issues arose, work stopped in the fall of 2025, and they began a months-long exchange of texts with the contractor over money while trying to find a resolution.
‘Almost bankrupt’
“I’m almost bankrupt,” Delorey said.
He said the situation has taken an extraordinary toll on their mental health and likely delayed his retirement.
Their messages with McInnis, provided to CBC, show the Deloreys began to worry in May 2025 when the project encountered repeated delays. The work to lift the home persisted into September when texts discuss having to place the home back on its foundation.
The couple said the building fell, pointing out cracked interior walls in almost every room.
The home, surrounded by a trench partially filled with water, remains slightly off the foundation.
“I’m no contractor. I do know that you can’t do anything to this house until it’s straight on a foundation,” said Delorey.
They say the financial toll continued this winter with $30,000 in damage and repairs after water froze in the incomplete basement in December. That possibility was addressed in messages with McInnis in November where he also expressed concern it could happen.
McInnis declined multiple requests for comment about the allegations and said he was seeking legal advice.
In text messages to the Deloreys, the contractor attributed cost overruns to unexpected issues with the home. McInnis said labour and materials accounted for the $200,000, but repeatedly promised to return thousands of dollars to the couple.
Delorey said the contractor always had an excuse for the refund being delayed, and maintains the work McInnis did couldn’t have cost what he provided.
Other customers
In frustration, Delorey took his grievances with McInnis to social media, where he found others with similar experiences.
Contracts provided to CBC by four other clients of the contractor said customers have to request an “appropriate refund” before taking legal action. They all state McInnis is not liable for delays or failures to perform work outside of his control.
Betty Gibson, who also sought out a contractor on social media, signed an agreement with McInnis in March to carry out work on a mobile home she owns in Lake Echo, N.S. The contract — to level up the home, renovate the bathroom and replace a door — was for $4,500, with half of the amount required as a deposit.
Gibson provided her messages with McInnis to CBC News. In the messages, the contractor shared images of past work, including the Deloreys’ home.
“When he gave me the good price, I think, ‘Oh my God, I thought this was going to cost me like 10 grand,’” said Gibson, who recently retired to East Hants.
Gibson said on the first day he was to begin the work, McInnis said he had a transmission issue with his truck. The following day, he dropped off materials but said rain and then a family matter prevented him from doing work.
Gibson, concerned about the delays and questioning the contractor’s legitimacy, requested a refund of her deposit. Through text messages, McInnis assured her that he would refund the money, but reported issues with online banking.
No charges
Still waiting for a refund of $2,250, Gibson filed in small claims court. McInnis did not attend a hearing on May 15.
Meanwhile, the Deloreys have filed a complaint with police about the contractor.
In a statement, the Nova Scotia RCMP told CBC that no charges have been laid.
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