$15,000 fine for unlicensed contracting

The recent prosecution of the Townsville man for unlicensed building contracting and falsely claiming to be licenced proved the Queensland Building Services Authority would get tough on builders who were doing the wrong thing, Public Works and Housing Minister Robert Schwarten said today.

Mr Schwarten said Graham Boardman was fined $15,000 and ordered to pay $1,500 court costs after appearing in the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal in Townsville.

“This is a great result for the honest builders and contractors out there, who are in the vast majority,” Mr Schwarten said.

“This court case sends the message to any rogue people who might try to do building work for which they are not licensed - or those who try to falsely claim that they are licensed – that it is not worth the risk.

“For homeowners, it also sends the message that it is not worth the risk in engaging someone who is not licensed to carry out that building work, as you may end up with costly bills to rectify the work.”

Queensland Building Services Authority (BSA) general manager Ian Jennings warned residents in Townsville and surrounding regions not to engage Mr Boardman to perform any building work.

He also reminded consumers thinking of having building work carried out on their homes to ask trade contractors and builders to show their BSA licence before employing a contractor.

Mr Jennings said the BSA licence is a symbol of consumer protection offered under the Queensland Building Services Authority Act 1991.

“Building work around the home valued at more than $1100 requires a BSA licence, this applies to a range of trades including painting,” he said.

“We recommend the use of a licensed contractor, even for small jobs, because the BSA licence indicates that the contractor has met certain minimum standards which will result in the consumer getting a better job done.”

Mr Jennings said on-line licence searches could be conducted by visiting www.bsa.qld.gov.au.

Media contact:     Minister Schwarten's office: (07) 3237 1832
                         Building Services Authority - Heidi Jones: (07) 3225 2996