The Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) has successfully prosecuted local man over an illegal and botched renovation on a single Mum’s home.
The man was convicted and fined more
than $32,000 including costs, in the Bairnsdale Magistrates Court.
The man pleaded guilty to three charges including carrying out domestic building work without the required registration and without the required domestic building insurance (DBI).
The court heard he quoted more than $84,000 to repair water damage in the Bairnsdale home which included replacing windows.
He then asked for a 50 per cent deposit to enable the work to start when the maximum allowed is only five per cent.
The work was so poor the single mother had to pay another builder more than $11,000 to
have it rectified.
In total the home was uninhabitable for 18 months and she was separated from her children and dog to save on relocation costs.
The poor workmanship included unsealed windows and walls which exposed the home to the elements.
In a victim impact statement, the homeowner said she suffered huge emotional distress, anxiety and panic attacks as a result of the ordeal and had to take out a second mortgage.
Magistrate Tim Walsh said the offences – in particular the lack of insurance – “cannot be understated and must be met with consequences and deterrence”.
Consumers should always use a registered builder for jobs over $10,000 and ensure the builder has DBI for jobs over $16,000.
The BPC’s CEO and Commissioner Anna Cronin said this case highlights the importance of hiring a registered building practitioner.
“Unregistered practitioners are a threat to safety and can leave consumers with no course of action when their work is seriously
defective,” she said.
You can check a practitioner’s licence,
registration or disciplinary and prosecution history online.
The BPC acts within its legislative powers to protect consumers and improve confidence in the building industry.
