Mt Lawley tradesman draws line in sand after building offence fines

A MT Lawley tradesman convicted of multiple building offences says he was let down by sub-contractors that failed to do the job properly.

Phillip Davies-Morgan, from MDM Industries PTY Ltd, trading as Perth Ceiling Fixers, pleaded guilty to nine charges brought by the Building Commissioner relating to projects at three Perth properties.

Mr Davies-Morgan was fined $9000 and forced to pay $737 in costs relating to the three renovation projects at properties in South Lake, Dianella and Morley in 2015 and 2016.

The Perth Magistrates Court heard that MDM Industries, which had since gone into liquidation, was not registered as a building contractor or painting contractor as required.

The company also received a 50 per cent deposit from the Morley home owner before work began, when it should have only received 6.5 per cent.

The court also heard the company did not have indemnity insurance in place while working at the Morley and Dianella homes, and did not comply with an order from the Building Commissioner to remedy workmanship issues at the Morley home.

Mr Davies-Morgan, who still operates as Perth Ceiling Fixers, said he no longer worked with the sub-contractors who were working for him at the time and let him down.

“I sub-contracted people to do those jobs,” he said.

“They just didn’t do the job properly and unfortunately I lost out.

“It was a bad choice of contractors on my part. One of them has left the country and I don’t know where the other one is now.

“They left me in a $10,000 hole, but I only work with contractors I trust now.”

Building Commissioner Ken Bowron said he encouraged home owners to check the Register of Builders and the Register of Painters before committing to a building contract in excess of $20,000 or a paid painting service valued at more than $1000.