A dream renovation turned into a nightmare for a Port Coquitlam family. Here's what went wrong and how to protect yourself.

Kim Hamburg, a working mom with a young family, had a vision for her new home.

"Originally we were just going to get the windows and a little face lift on the front, you know, we wanted the porch," remembers Kim.

So last fall she hired a contractor -- the son of a man who had worked on her mother's home.

"He seemed really enthusiastic about the job and sent pictures of work he'd already done before," explains Kim.

Kim handed over $8,500 to order windows and the work started. Over the next few weeks she says she handed over another $16,000 -- keeping track on a piece of paper.

"Then I didn't see him for a couple weeks and then he came back and asked for more money and did a little work and then closer to the end of January all the tools started disappearing," she says.

Three weeks later the contractor filed for bankruptcy. Kim called around and discovered the windows she'd paid for were never ordered.

Kim complained to the BBB and contacted CTV to find out what else could be done. We went to bankruptcy trustee Harold Saunders.

His advice? Contact the superintendent of bankruptcies right away and find out who the trustee is.

"The main thing is to get a claim in before there is a distribution if any. Many times there is no distribution," he warns.

Saunders says creditors can also provide information to the trustee of potentially undeclared income or assets.

"If there's been nondisclosure of significant assets, they could be charged. The matter could be referred to the superintendent of bankruptcy office and he in turn can call in the RCMP," explains Saunders.

Creditors can also oppose the discharge of a bankruptcy -- which can extend the responsibilities of a bankrupt person.

The contractor in this case says he wants to work with the BBB to try to resolve his differences with Kim.

Meanwhile, Kim has little hope she'll get her money back. She says next time she'd do things differently.

"Check out the Better Business Bureau and I wouldn't pay with cash because that way you have a paper trail," she recommends.

And keep in mind that just because someone has worked in construction -- that doesn't make them qualified for renovation work. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has more tips on hiring a contractor here.