Builder in hot water

QUEENSLAND’S building regulator has suspended the licence of a Southport company, saying it claimed progress payments for work it has not done.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission suspended the licence of My Home Builders Qld Pty Ltd’s and the licence of sole director Nikola Grulovic on Monday.

The regulator believes at least 19 customers of the company may be affected.

QBCC Commissioner Brett Bassett said the homes in question were being built in the Toowoomba region.

“It is an offence for builders to issue invoices for progress payments before the work has been completed, and licensees face disciplinary action if they’re caught,” he said.

“Claiming money for work not yet completed is a breach of contract and has serious ramifications, and ... we work to rid the industry of this type of activity.

“It’s unfair for licensees who do the right thing and operate within the law, and it’s unfair for unsuspecting consumers.

“It can be a challenge when the building work is being completed interstate for the consumer, but we’d urge people in this situation to be vigilant and try to sight the building work before authorising any payment.”

The QBCC is contacting the consumers it knows about to inform them about making a claim under the Queensland Home Warranty Scheme.

My Home Builders Qld Pty Ltd and its sole director can have the decisions reviewed in the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Anyone who has contracted with the company is urged to contact the QBCC on 139 333.