A Sydney man has been hit with a $473,000 fine after being found guilty of more than 40 breaches involving unlicensed and uninsured residential building work for four consumers in 2022.
Anthony Abi-Merhi, a sole trader business operating under the name "Triscapes" quoted one consumer $99,500 for a job which ended up costing the consumer $142,000.
During the investigation, Building Commission NSW identified offences including unlicensed work, excessive deposits, and work undertaken without Home Building Compensation Fund insurance.
He was also found guilty of 27 charges of demanding or receiving payment for building without insurance, while carrying out landscaping work in south-western Sydney.
In NSW, a licence or certificate is required to do any residential building work, including general building work valued at more than $5,000 in labour and materials.
This includes construction, repairs, renovating or decorating a property.
For contracts valued at more than $5,000 the maximum deposit to cover labour and materials is 10 per cent.
Home Building Compensation Fund Insurance is required for projects valued at more than $20,000 and contractors must obtain this cover before starting any work or accepting any payments including deposits.
This insurance provides a safety net for consumers facing incomplete or defective work in certain circumstances.
The defendant has 28 days to exercise a right to appeal in respect of the sentence.
For more information on choosing the right tradesperson for the job visit the Step by step guide to choosing the right tradesperson or builder webpage.
To check a contractor's name or licence number visit the Verify Licence website.
To access the Contract checklist visit the Fair Trading website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Building Anoulack Chanthivong:
"This serious $470,000 fine for unlicensed building work sends a clear message to builders - the Minns Government is serious about eradicating cowboys and shonks from the NSW home construction industry.
"Building Commission NSW inspectors are now out in force and will come down hard on those caught doing the wrong thing.
"Consumers should only engage a contractor once they have researched their credentials including by looking them up on the Verify Licence website, to make sure their licence is valid and whether the licence has any conditions or regulatory issues attached to it.
"You can also check user ratings online from other consumers who have used the trader, and make sure you use the handy Contract Checklist page on the Fair Trading website before signing a contract and paying any money."
