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Reno scam: Fake builder abandons job, owners foot bill twice
A Western Australian couple was forced to pay double after a fake builder vanished mid-renovation, leaving $24,000 of work unfinished without insurance or a proper contract.
A Mandurah couple in Western Australia were left footing the bill after a “fake” builder abandoned their renovation project.
In 2023, the home owners hired Paul Anthony Hart, their neighbour, to renovate their property, which included gutting the bathroom, replacing the bathroom ceiling, vanity, toilet, shower, removing walls, and other fittings.
Hart had gained the couple’s trust, claiming to be a registered builder, and took the contract without providing insurance or a valid builder’s registration.
The fake builder then started work valued at $24,000 in 2023, capping off taps and pipes, demolishing wall sections, removing cupboards and disconnecting the cooker before abandoning the construction site.
Left without options, the couple had to foot the bill and hired another contractor to complete the work, paying an extra $27,000.
Additionally, Hart had asked for a 50 per cent deposit, exceeding the state’s 6.5 per cent maximum deposit allowed before construction work valued at $7,500 begins.
Following the investigation, the Building and Energy Commissioner issued a remedy order requiring Hart to repay the owners’ $12,000 deposit.
Hart also proceeded with the project without securing home indemnity insurance or formalising the agreement with a signed contract detailing the terms and conditions.
The fake builder who did not appear in court was fined a total of $14,500 over four building offences, following prosecution by Building and Energy.
Hart was convicted and fined $8,000 for falsely implying he was a registered builder, which is an offence under the Building Services (Registration) Act 2011, and $5,000 for failing to have home indemnity insurance.
He received an additional $1,000 fine for the excessive deposit and $500 for the non-compliant contract, which are breaches of the Home Building Contracts Act 1991.
Hart was also ordered to pay $615 in costs.
Building and Energy executive director, Daniel Kearney, said Hart’s behaviour was intolerable.
“This behaviour is unacceptable and has caused significant stress, inconvenience and financial impacts for the home owners,” Kearney said.
He reminded home owners to double-check their builder’s registration before starting any work, as projects exceeding $20,000 are required to have a permit under the law.
“The registration process aims to ensure builders have the appropriate qualifications, skills and experience to deliver safe and compliant buildings.”
Kearney also advised home owners to avoid large deposits.
“I cannot stress enough that home owners should not hand over deposits of more than 6.5 per cent for home building works valued over $7,500.”
“This law protects the home owner from potential financial loss, which has unfortunately happened in this case,” he concluded.
