Unregistered home renovation company Finishmyhome.com.au and its two directors Paul Edward Ovens and Allesandro Giuseppe Iovene have been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling $41,200 after being successfully prosecuted by the Building Commissioner for registration and contractual offences.
In proceedings finalised in the Perth Magistrates Court on Friday 1 August 2014, the company and its directors pleaded guilty to five charges each in relation to carrying out renovation work of a total value of $296,000 at a Roleystone property between May and August 2011 and a Maylands property between September 2012 and April 2013.
The charges against the company were for carrying out building work valued over $20,000 without the required registration or policy of home indemnity insurance and for holding out or implying that it was entitled to carry out building work for others when it was not. As the company’s directors, Mr Ovens and Mr Iovene were also found to have committed similar offences.
Building Commissioner Peter Gow said these offences against the repealed Builders Registration Act 1939, Building Services (Registration) Act 2011 and the Home Building Contracts Act 1991 were a serious matter, as shown by the significant fines imposed by the court.
“The building laws are in place to protect the building’s owner and the persons undertaking the work, so for a builder to fail to meet their obligations is just plain irresponsible,” said Building Commissioner Peter Gow.
“For instance, the absence of home indemnity insurance puts the consumer at significant risk of financial loss if the builder cannot complete the building work or meet a valid claim for faulty or unsatisfactory building work because of death, disappearance or insolvency.
“Consumers should protect themselves by checking their building service provider holds the required registration or licence before engaging them to carry out work. You can do this using the ‘Find a registered building service provider or licensed plumber’ database on our website www.commerce.wa.gov.au/buildingcommission.
"The Building Commission will continue to hold to account and name those who put consumer interests and the reputation of the building industry at risk.”
For more information on builders’ responsibilities and the relevant laws, visit the Building Commission website at www.commerce.wa.gov.au/building-commission, or contact 1300 489 099 or bcinfo@commerce.wa.gov.au.
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