Commission knew of builder concerns
In one email provided to the Bulletin, sent to the commissioner on July 10 this year, Mr Goddard outlines the allegations in detail, with supporting documents attached.
The email included information from former staff of Queensland One Homes, who said they had contacted the QBCC and ATO six months before the company went into liquidation.
Mr Bassett replied “Thx for the below John. We will assess”.
Subbies United helps subcontractors replace builderappointed liquidators after a collapse and also approaches developers, builders and regulators on behalf of subbies who have not been paid.
Mr Goddard said he was contacted daily by subcontractors who had fallen victim to unscrupulous builders.
“Doing this I’ve learned a lot about the dark side of the industry,” he said. “The main thing we’re trying to do is get legislation through so people can’t continue to liquidate companies and in turn liquidate subbies’ money away.” QUEENSLAND One Homes was still advertising its services online – and its phone number still connected – more than six weeks after its building licence was cancelled.
Construction companies who advertise their services while unlicensed face fines of more than $12,000.
The Queensland Building and Construction Commission yesterday said they were investigating “complaints about alleged unlicensed advertising by Queensland One Homes”.
“The QBCC investigates all complaints related to advertising by unlicensed entities, and is currently investigating complaints about alleged unlicensed advertising by Queensland One Homes,” the regulator said in a statement.
“Where a complaint is proven the QBCC may issue a warning; issue an infringement notice; or pursue prosecution action in the Magistrates Court or disciplinary proceedings.”
Queensland One Homes is in liquidation and unlicensed, but was yesterday still displaying a QBCC licence number and claiming it had “the traditional values of honesty and integrity at the core of our business, everything we do is reliable, reasonably priced and delivered in the most friendly and professional manner imaginable”.
The site promises the collapsed business offers “impeccable quality; 30-plus years experience; and an average 14week build time”. It details plans of the homes available to be built by the “professional and trustworthy” company.
Customers of the failed company, whose sole director is Paul Travis Callender, have told of major delays and multiple defects with their Queensland One homes, with one having to legally terminate a contract and change the locks to take possession.
Unlicensed builders cannot carry out work valued at more than $3300.