Consumers warned to avoid Southeast Queensland builder
A public warning has been issued about a tradie alleged to have “ripped off” a number of customers.
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has released a statement against Southeast Queensland building company, Cre8tive Construction Group Pty Ltd, and its owner Brendan Hawxwell,
in the wake of several Queensland clients claiming they were ripped off by the builder.
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These complaints centre around Brisbane and Gold Coast consumers who have paid Hawxwell for services that have not been completed, including retaining walls, fencing and decking.
According to Fair Trading, customers of Hawxwell’s network of businesses were required to make sizeable payments upfront, with some of the deposits reaching up to 45 per cent of the value of the quote before work commenced.
One customer reported paying $8,000 last year for the instalment of a fence, keypad, pool fencing and two gates. While the existing fence was removed and post holes dug out, no new materials or further work was supplied and no refund was paid.
Another customer paid more than $20,000 to Hawxwell and is yet to have any building work completed or a cent of their money returned to them.
Operating under business numbers ACN: 662 155 311 and ABN: 94 662 155 311, Hawxwell’s companies have been placed into liquidation.
His known Queensland Building and Construction Commission building licences are said to include:
Cre8tive Construction Group Pty Ltd – licence number 15363039 (no longer active).
Brendan John Hawxwell – licence number 15187567 (currently active).
Hawxwell was noted by the OFT to additionally operate businesses named “Brisbane Fencing and Decking”, or “Queensland Fencing and Decking”.
The OFT did acknowledge that there are a number of businesses operating across Queensland, NSW and Victoria with similar names to those listed above that are not the subject of any public warnings.
Consumers are urged to check the ACN or ABN to confirm the nature of the company they are dealing with, with Yvette D’Ath, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, also advising Queenslanders to “do your homework by checking reviews and a general internet search of the businesses you’re looking to use”.
“If something doesn’t look or feel right, choose another trader to get your goods and services,” she said.
Consumers are also urged to watch out for social media accounts or websites created and maintained by Hawxwell to attract new business, with the OFT noting he may currently be advertising his building services in northern NSW.
“Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more dodgy traders operating through social media and online marketplaces such as eBay – they like to hide behind online profiles, taking your money before disappearing into the digital abyss,” remarked D’Ath.
“We will continue to crack down on dodgy traders who are taking money from consumers and failing to supply,” she concluded.
