South West builder sent invoices without completing work

A South West builder has been issued a warning after issuing invoices to a client for work he hadn’t done.

Peter Robert Andrews received a caution from the Building Services Board for the misleading conduct under the State’s builder registration laws.

Mr Andrews began work on a $385,000 project to construct a dwelling, shed and water tank in Roelands in 2018.

He began the work under the trading name PSA Construction, based in Bunbury, which later became a building contractor partnership between Mr Andrews and his wife.

Information presented to the board by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s Building and Energy division showed Mr Andrews would be paid for the $385,000 project after producing invoices showing key work had been completed.

On three separate occasions, he submitted invoices when the work had not been completed.

The Home Building Contracts Act only allows builders to seek progress payments for projects between $7500 and $500,000 when the work or service has already been completed, or when the materials have been provided.

The board was also told Mr Andrews made non-compliant changes to the contract to secure additional funding.

Following the finding, Building and Energy division executive director Saj Abdoolakhan said registered builders were responsible for following correct contractual procedures.

“The buck stops with the builder, and misleading conduct of any kind is unacceptable,” he said.

“Home building contract laws are in place to provide clarity and protections for all parties.

“The requirement for genuine progress payments helps to prevent homeowners being left out of pocket for incomplete work.”

Consumers have been reminded by the department to ensure such payments are only made for services and material already provided.