Deputy Commissioner Fair Trading, Steve Griffin, today released details of a recent compliance blitz of builders in the Bankstown, Sutherland and northern beaches areas by NSW Fair Trading officers.

Mr Griffin said 15 home building investigators visited 286 residential building sites and spoke with 572 individuals in the three areas, focusing on unlicensed activity.

“Thirty penalty notices worth $27,500 were issued for unlicensed contracting and carrying out unlicensed building work,” he said.

Mr Griffin said 117 sites and 162 individuals were visited in the Bankstown area and 21 sites and 79 individuals were visited in the Sutherland area.

Thirteen penalty notices worth $14,000 were issued, including:

• 3 notices for unlicensed contracting and 3 notices for unlicensed subcontracting in Zetland
• 1 notice for unlicensed sub-contracting and 1 notice for carrying out unlicensed building work in Panania
• 1 notice for unlicensed sub-contracting and 1 notice for carrying out unlicensed building work in Canterbury
• 1 notice for unlicensed sub-contracting and 1 notice for carrying out unlicensed building work in Milperra and
• 1 notice for carrying out unlicensed building work in Roselands.

Mr Griffin said 148 building sites and 331 individuals were visited in the northern beaches area.

Seventeen penalty notices worth $13,500 were issued including:

• 2 notices for unlicensed contracting, 2 notices for unlicensed sub-contracting and 1 penalty notice for carrying out unlicensed building work in Collaroy
• 2 notices for unlicensed sub-contracting and 4 penalty notices for carrying out unlicensed building work in Clareville
• 5 notices for unlicensed contracting in Church Point and
• 1 notice for carrying out unlicensed building work in Palm Beach.

Mr Griffin said the results showed the vast majority of home building traders visited were meeting their obligations, but was disappointed that some traders felt the law did not apply to them.

“There really is no excuse for operating illegally and traders face heavy penalties if caught,” he said.

“The maximum penalty for unlicensed contracting and carrying out building work while unlicensed is $110,000 for corporations and $22,000 for individuals.

“It’s just not worth it for people operating in the home building industry to work without a licence or contract out work to people who are not properly licensed.

“Licensing is there to protect consumers and traders alike and I encourage consumers to check trade licences before work commences on their properties.

“This can be done online at this website or by calling 13 32 20,” Mr Griffin said.

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