The question’s that now remain are;

How many of these so called builders have had successful HWI claims filed against them?

What’s the likelihood of repayment of the claims being successful?

What steps do QBCC take to ensure the companies &/or builder are no longer able to trade?

What steps do the QBCC take to ensure all legal proceedings are reported to the police? and

What has the cost been to the homeowners?

The COURIER MAIL reports:

Queensland’s construction watchdog has cracked down on more than 40 builders in 2025 including one unlicensed operator who was banned and ordered to pay over $50,000 back to five homeowners.

The prosecutions targeted serial offenders for unlicensed work and repeated breaches, which resulted in fines and compensation for homeowners totalling more than $580,000.

Overall there were 42 unlawful building-related matters prosecuted in court for a range of infringements, including unlicensed operators and those who repeatedly or deliberately breached the law.

In addition to the prosecutions, the QBCC took out 1367 regulatory actions against licensees, of which 60 per cent of these actions have led to the suspension or cancellation of licences.

CONVICTIONS RECORDED IN 2025 INCLUDE:

• Michael Frederick Jan Doevendans – Convicted on 5 March for repeat unlawful building work and excess deposit offences. Fined $11,000 and ordered to pay $12,474.55 in compensation.

• Gurbuz Oktay – Convicted and fined $10,000 on 4 April for repeated unlawful building work and contract breaches.

• Christopher McKenzie Drysdale – Convicted on 10 April for unlawful building work. Fined $12,000 and ordered to pay $2997.50 in compensation.

• Andrew Vincent Leonard – Convicted on 4 July for repeated unlawful building work and contract breaches. Fined $7000 and ordered to pay $20,000 in compensation.

• Barron River Bathrooms – Convicted and fined $15,000 on 25 July for unlicensed work and excess deposit offences.

• James Carsten Christensen – Convicted on 15 September for seven offences, including unlicensed work and taking excess deposits. Fined $15,000, ordered to pay $14,621 in compensation.

• Sapati Faraimo – Convicted and fined $15,000 on 19 November for unlawful building work and failing to have a compliant contract in place.

• Cameron James Bedford – Convicted on 12 December for nine offences relating to illegal building work at five Brisbane properties. Fined $15,000 and ordered to pay compensation exceeding $52,000 to homeowners.

QBCC Commissioner and chief executive Angelo Lambrinos said the court outcomes demonstrated that the commission will act decisively against those who undermine the integrity of the building industry.

“We believe prevention is better than cure, and focus on early support, education and oversight to reduce costly mistakes and improve outcomes; but when someone deliberately or repeatedly breaks the law, we will take all necessary steps to protect homeowners and the reputations of hard working tradies across the state,” he said.

Mr Lambrinos said the QBCC encouraged homeowners to always check a contractor’s licence before engaging them for building work and to visit the QBCC’s website, which is “a gold mine” for licensees and homeowners seeking information and resources.

He said that although owners may seek recommendations from friends, or read Google and Facebook reviews, they should always check if an individual is licensed, check their compliance history, understand allowable maximum deposits and ensure a written, dated and signed contract is in place before work begins.

Individuals found guilty of three or more unlicensed building-related offences under the QBCC Act may face a maximum penalty of $58,415 or one-year’s imprisonment.